News
Alice Rohrwacher Begins Shooting “Lazzaro Felice”
Alice Rohrwacher has begun shooting her follow-up to “The Wonders,” Variety reports. Set in the present, “Lazzaro Felice” centers on a man who travels through time. Rohrwacher penned the...
Australia’s Smart for a Girl: ROAR Program Supports Entry-Level Female TV Writers
Producer Imogen Banks and screenwriter Alice Bell have launched a new program for women starting out as television writers: Smart for a Girl: ROAR. With financial support from Gender Matters:...
Quad Cinema to Screen Films from Joan Micklin Silver and Sheila McLaughlin
Two rarely screened films from women directors will be shown at the Quad Cinema in New York City. Joan Micklin Silver’s “Between the Lines” will screen as part of the venue’s monthly...
Petra Volpe’s “The Divine Order” Chosen as Switzerland’s Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
“The Divine Order” may be headed to the Academy Awards. Switzerland has selected Petra Volpe’s award-winning women’s rights drama to represent the country in the best foreign-language film...
Nisha Ganatra to Direct Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson Comedy “Late Night”
Nisha Ganatra’s star continues to rise. The director is currently filming her first pilot, and now comes word that she’ll helm “Late Night,” a Fox 2000 comedy starring Mindy Kaling and Emma...
Trailer Watch: Melissa Leo Resists Change in the Church in Maggie Betts’ “Novitiate”
Piercings, door-slamming, and mouthiness are some of the more common ways teens rebel against their parents. “Novitiate” sees 17-year-old Cathleen (Margaret Qualley, “The Leftovers”) bucking...
Belle Thorne-Starrer “Famous in Love” Coming Back for Season 2
More “Famous in Love” is coming our way. Freeform has renewed the Bella Thorne-led drama about young Hollywood for a second season, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Based on Rebecca Serle’s...
Quote of the Day: Ava DuVernay Doesn’t “Understand a Structure Where Women Aren’t Making Decisions”
Ava DuVernay is at it again. The “13th” director can always be counted on to deliver powerful truths about the industry, whether she’s describing Hollywood as “a patriarchy, headed by men...
Amy Brenneman to Star in TNT Pilot “Deadlier Than the Male”
Amy Brenneman is teaming up with one of the executive producers behind “Big Little Lies.” “The Leftovers” alumna has signed on to topline a TNT mystery drama pilot that hails from Bruna...
Writers Lab for Women Screenwriters Over 40 Announces 2017 Participants
New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and IRIS have selected the participants of its third Writers Lab for Women Screenwriters over 40. Sponsored by Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey, the...
People of Color Share #FirstTimeISawMe Representation Stories on Twitter
It’s powerful when you see a character in TV or film who’s like you. It can make you feel seen, understood, and important. However, there are swaths of viewers — people of color in...
“Anne With an E” Renewed for Season 2
The chattiest, most precocious redhead on TV is sticking around for a while. Netflix and CBC have renewed “Anne with an E” for a ten-episode second season, Deadline confirms. Season 1 of...
NBC Launches Initiative to Train and Hire Women Directors
Just one drama pilot was directed by a woman this broadcast pilot season. One. As much as people like to treat TV like film’s woke — or at least more woke — sophisticated, cooler...
Apply Now for the 2018 Diverse Voices in Docs Program
Applications are now being accepted for Kartemquin Films and The Community Film Workshop of Chicago’s sixth Diverse Voices in Docs (DVID) program. DVID will provide eight filmmakers of color from...
TIFF’s Platform Program 50% Women-Directed, Includes World Premiere of Clio Barnard’s “Dark River”
The Toronto International Film Festival’s Platform program has arrived, and it’s something to celebrate. Hailing from eight countries on five continents, the lineup features 12 films, six of...
“Patti Cake$” Breakout Danielle Macdonald to Star in “White Girl Problems”
The breakout star of Sundance 2017 has booked her next gig. “Patti Cake$’” Danielle Macdonald will topline Lauren Palmigiano’s feature directorial debut, “White Girl Problems.” Deadline...
Academy to Host Event Celebrating Trailblazing Women of Animation
“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” are just a few of the many movies women animators helped bring to the screen. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts...
Audra McDonald Joins “The Good Fight” as Series Regular
Audra McDonald will soon be fighting “The Good Fight.” Deadline confirms that McDonald is joining Season 2 of the CBS All Access show as a series regular. The Tony-winning actress will be...
Quote of the Day: Halle Berry Loves Seeing “A Woman of Color Get to Save the Day”
It’s time for a mom to come to the rescue. “Taken” and plenty of other action flicks have seen dads go to hell and back to save their kids. Now Halle Berry is getting the chance to be a hero...
London Feminist Film Fest Unveils 2017 Lineup
“In these politically and socially turbulent times we felt a real need to address the rising levels of misogyny, racism, and xenophobia,” write the organizers of the fifth London Feminist Film...
Quote of the Day: Jessica Lange Says “Ageism is Pervasive” in the Film Biz
After more than four decades in the industry, Jessica Lange continues to deliver standout performances and rack up awards. She’s up for an Emmy this year for playing Joan Crawford in “Feud:...
Starz Developing Series Based on Stephanie Danler’s “Sweetbitter”
“Sweetbitter” may be coming to the small screen. A half-hour drama series based on Stephanie Danler’s critically acclaimed 2016 coming-of-age novel is being developed by Starz. According to...
Carol Burnett to Star in Unscripted Netflix Comedy
Carol Burnett is teaming up with Netflix — and kids. The streaming giant has given a 12-episode series order to “A Little Help with Carol Burnett,” an unscripted, half-hour comedy that...
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady Doc About Hasidic Judaism Lands at Netflix
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s portrait of an Evangelical Christian summer camp earned them an Oscar nomination, and the “Jesus Camp” directors’ latest project, “One of Us,” explores...
Study: Stereotypes About Gender, Race, and Age Still Abound in Film
With the success of convention-defying, female-led films like “Hidden Figures,” “Wonder Woman,” and “Girls Trip,” it’s easy to think Hollywood is finally moving beyond reductive...
Trailer Watch: Noomi Rapace Plays Seven Identical Sisters in “What Happened to Monday”
Noomi Rapace is taking on another ass-kicking role — or rather, roles — in her latest film, “What Happened to Monday.” The “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” star plays seven...
Study: The Last Decade’s Most Popular Films Are Lacking in Inclusivity
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” the top-earning film of 2016 in the U.S. Conversations about more inclusivity and better representation in film have undoubtedly increased within the last decade;...
Jane Campion’s “Top of the Lake: China Girl” Gets U.S. Premiere Date
Your other Elisabeth Moss TV obsession is coming back. The “Handmaid’s Tale” star reprises her role in “Top of the Lake’s” highly anticipated sophomore season, “China Girl,” and this...
Bryce Dallas Howard to Make Feature Directorial Debut with “Sorta Like a Rock Star”
Bryce Dallas Howard is stepping behind the camera again. The Golden Globe-nominated actress has signed on to make her feature directorial debut with an adaptation of Matthew Quick’s novel “Sorta...
Lifetime Renews “UnREAL” for Fourth Season and “Mary Kills People” for Second
If controversial dark comedies are your thing, Lifetime’s got you covered: the network is bringing lots more “UnREAL” and “Mary Kills People” your way, according...
Priyanka Chopra’s Comedy Series About Bollywood Star in Development at ABC
Priyanka Chopra is developing a comedy series about a former Bollywood star for ABC, Variety has revealed. The “Baywatch” actress — who is of course a Bollywood star herself — made...
Trailer Watch: Stana Katic Is An FBI Agent Who Comes Back from the Dead in “Absentia”
“We’re in this together,” Special Agent Emily Byrne (Stana Katic, “Castle”) is told by her husband and fellow FBI Agent (Nick Heusinger) in a trailer for new series “Absentia.” “You...
The First Season of HBO’s “Room 104” is Over 50 Percent Women-Directed
Year after year we’re disappointed by “Game of Thrones,” an addictive and entertaining series that clearly prides itself on its depictions of powerful female characters yet doesn’t hire...
Zoe Saldana Lauches Digital Media Company Focused on Empowering Latinos
Zoe Saldana is branching out in a big way. The “Star Trek” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” actress — who already has a number of producing credits under her belt — is launching her...
Bonni Cohen on Why “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” Gives Viewers A Bucket of Hope
Bonni Cohen is an award-winning producer and director. She co-directed “Audrie & Daisy,” which premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up as a Netflix...
Could “Wonder Woman” Be an Oscar Contender? Warner Bros. Thinks So
Goddess willing, this Oscar season could be a game-changer. “Wonder Woman” is the highest-grossing film of the summer, the second highest-grossing film of the year behind “Beauty and the...
“Harlots” Renewed for Second Season
Hulu has renewed “Harlots” for a second season, Variety reports. The series, which is set in an 18th-century London brothel, is set to return to the network in 2018. “Harlots” centers...
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston to Star in Series About Morning Shows
Nearly 20 years after playing sisters on “Friends,” Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are teaming up for another project. The pair are attached to star in and executive produce an untitled...
Kerry Washington to Be Honored for LGBTQ Advocacy
Kerry Washington is set to receive yet another well-deserved award. If you think the “Scandal” actress is badass as Olivia Pope, just wait until you hear what she gets up to when the cameras...
Jenna Mattison’s Directorial Debut “The Sound” Acquired, Rose McGowan Stars
Jenna Mattison’s directorial debut has found a home. According to Deadline, Orion Pictures and Samuel Goldwyn Films have joined forces to acquire “The Sound,” a thriller toplined by...
Rachel Carey’s Film About Chicago’s Underground Abortion Network Goes into Production
Production has begun on a new film based on the true story of the underground abortion network known as The Jane Collective, a press release has announced. “Ask for Jane” is the brainchild of...
Locarno Festival to Award Audentia Prize for Best Female Director
The Council of Europe’s Eurimages Fund has joined forces with the Locarno Film Festival this year to present the second edition of its Audentia Award for best female director, a press release has...
Trailer Watch: A City is Forever Changed in Kathryn Bigelow’s “Detroit”
It’s the night of July 25, 1967 and soul music is drifting out of the Algiers Motel on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. “Turn that radio up,” someone says, as a bunch of guys sit around...
Katherine Dieckmann on Crafting an Unconventional Female Protagonist in “Strange Weather”
Katherine Dieckmann’s films include “Motherhood,” “Diggers,” and “A Good Baby.” She began her career as a journalist, writing for such publications as Rolling Stone, The Village Voice,...
Patty Jenkins to Direct New TNT Drama “One Day She’ll Darken”
Patty Jenkins’ is following up “Wonder Woman” with a return to the small screen. The herstory-making director will helm the pilot of “One Day She’ll Darken,” a six episode limited drama...
Jaina Lee Ortiz to Star in “Grey’s Anatomy” Spinoff Set in Firehouse
Jaina Lee Ortiz is joining the Shondaland empire. The “Rosewood” actress will star in ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff in the works at Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland, Deadline reports. The...
“Middlemarch” Web Series Modernizes the Classic Novel
Of all the classic novels you could imagine being turned into a web series for the 21st century, George Eliot’s “Middlemarch” might not be the first to spring to mind. Then again, where better...
Welle Entertainment Nabs Rights to Book About the Female Heroes of Silicon Valley
Love HBO’s “Silicon Valley” but wish women had more of a presence in the comedy? Fortunately it looks like a story about “the unsung female heroes of Silicon Valley” is coming to the...
Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar” Gets Third Season
Ava DuVernay’s hit television series “Queen Sugar” has been renewed. The critically acclaimed series will return for a third season on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network, The Hollywood Reporter...
“Broad City” Season 4 Gets a New Premiere Date
It’s time to start counting down the days: “Broad City” is returning in less than two months. Everyone’s favorite BFF stoners are headed back to Comedy Central for the cult comedy’s fourth...
Venice Days Competition is 33 Percent Women-Directed
Another day, another festival lineup. Less than 24 hours after the Toronto International Film Festival announced its Gala and Special Presentation programs, Venice Days, The Venice Film Festival’s...