Women Directors
“UnREAL’s” Shiri Appleby Signs Overall Deal With A+E Studios
Shiri Appleby is doing her ambitious “UnREAL” character proud. The actress has inked a multiyear overall deal with A+E Studios, the producers behind the critically acclaimed Lifetime series, The...
March 2017 Film Preview
“Beauty and the Beast” Spring is in the air, and with it comes many promising women-led films. This March brings several big-budget women-centric releases to screens, including a beloved...
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Takes Over Twitter in Honor of Women’s History Month
Thanks to Ava DuVernay, March is coming in like a lion — and we mean that in the best possible way. DuVernay’s film distribution collective, ARRAY, is celebrating Women’s History Month...
“Catastrophe’s” Ashley Jensen Will Star in New Series from BBC One & Acorn
Fran, “Catastrophe’s” ambitious and immaculately-coiffed scene-stealer, would be so pleased. Ashley Jensen, who portrays Fran, is set to star in the six-part series “Love, Lies &...
Trailer Watch: An Arab-American Struggles with Adulthood in Heidi Saman’s “Namour”
A new trailer has been released for Heidi Saman’s debut feature “Namour,” and it’s guaranteed to make you cringe within seconds. The spot kicks off with the movie’s protagonist being...
Indie Spirit Awards & American Airlines Launch New Award for Female Directors
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are adding another honor to their program. Next year’s ceremony — the 33rd installment of the Indie Spirit Awards — will hand out the inaugural...
“Divines” Wins Big at the César Awards
Accepting the César Award for Best Actress for her performance in “Elle,” Isabelle Huppert told the ceremony’s crowd, “I’m good every year, but this year you finally noticed!” According...
Highlights from Oscar Weekend 2017: Viola Davis, Maren Ade, and More
Now that we’ve caught our breath, we can all agree that the 2017 Oscars are going to go down in history. Wow. And yikes. We’re thrilled with “Moonlight’s” well-deserved win, but are...
Alankrita Shrivastava on the Censorship of Her Film “Lipstick Under My Burkha”
Alankrita Shrivastava’s “Lipstick Under My Burkha” is an award-winning film about women reclaiming their freedom through small acts of resistance. Unfortunately, as Deadline details, India’s...
Connie Britton Joins Nicole Holofcener’s “The Land of Steady Habits,” March Shoot Being Eyed
Connie Britton has booked her first post-“Nashville” gig. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that she’s signed on for a leading role in Nicole Holofcener’s upcoming Netflix ensemble dramedy,...
What Happened to the Women Directors in Hollywood? Part 1: The Founding Mothers of Film
Print advertisement for Lois Weber’s “Too Wise Wives”: The Duluth Herald (Aug. 1921)/Wikimedia Commons by Carrie Rickey This five-part Truthdig series by Carrie Rickey is published in...
Weekly Update for February 24: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Girl with All the Gifts” Films About Women Opening This Week The Girl with All the Gifts (Also Available on VOD) A group of children is detained in a military base because they have...
Only One of the 41 Drama Pilots This Season Is Directed By a Woman
So much for television being a haven for women. A report from Deadline finds that “Las Reinas,” starring Sonia Braga, is the only drama project helmed by a woman this pilot season. Liz...
Only One of the 41 Drama Pilots This Season Is Directed By a Woman
We’re just as upset as you, Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson, frequent “Grey’s Anatomy” director): ABCSo much for television being a haven for women. A report from Deadline finds that “Las...
Gugu Mbatha-Raw to Star in “Veep” Director Stephanie Laing’s Feature Debut
Rising star Gugu Mbatha-Raw has booked yet another gig. Variety reports that the “Miss Sloane” actress will star alongside “Game of Thrones’” Michiel Huisman in “Irreplaceable You,” a...
Amanda Lipitz’s Dance Doc “Step” Gets a Release Date
The “Lethal Ladies” are set to dance their way into theaters. Fox Searchlight has announced a release date for “Step,” Amanda Lipitz’s inspirational documentary about a step dance...
Here’s What We Do in the Aftermath: Crowdfunding Picks
“The Last Clinics” As we find ourselves (only) 30 days into America’s new administration, the majority of female-led crowdfunding projects across the web rightfully continue February’s...
Watch: Oscars 2017 Prove That Our Work in Hollywood Isn’t Done
For the last several years Women and Hollywood has used the opportunity of Oscar week to share a video that focuses on the representation of women both in front of and behind the scenes...
Angelina Jolie’s Next Moves: Acting, Directing, and Producing Gigs
Angelina Jolie isn’t leaving Hollywood anytime soon. While many reports have indicated that the multi-hyphenate is stepping away from the business to focus on her humanitarian work, the fact that...
Watch: Oscars 2017 Prove That Our Work in Hollywood Isn’t Done
For the last several years Women and Hollywood has used the opportunity of Oscar week to share a video that focuses on the representation of women both in front of and behind the scenes...
Trailer Watch: Sally Hawkins Finds the Artist Within in Aisling Walsh’s “Maudie”
Maud Lewis is one of Canada’s most well-known folk artists, but a new trailer for Aisling Walsh’s “Maudie” shows the painter’s humble beginnings. “Let me tell you how it is. There’s...
You’re Invited: Women and Hollywood Celebrates Intl Women’s Day in London with Gurinder Chadha
Looking for a way to celebrate International Women’s Day in London? Look no further. Join Women and Hollywood, Birds Eye View, and White Water Women for a special event Wednesday, March 8. “Bend...
Sonia Braga to Star in ABC Detective Drama Directed by Liz Friedlander
Three-time Golden Globe nominee Sonia Braga is headed for the small screen. The “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” actress has signed on to star in “Las Reinas,” a new ABC detective drama, The...
Ildiko Enyedi’s “On Body and Soul” Wins Top Prize at Berlinale
Ildiko Enyedi’s “On Body and Soul” has been awarded the Berlin International Film Festival’s highest honor, the Golden Bear, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The love story centers on two...
“City of Saints & Thieves” Adaptation Seeks Melina Matsoukas as Director
Melina Matsoukas may be making her feature directorial debut. The Grammy Award-winning music and TV director is being sought as the director of Universal Pictures’ adaptation of Natalie C....
Weekly Update for February 17: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“XX” Films About Women Opening This Week XX (Anthology) — Directed by Roxanne Benjamin, Sofia Carrillo, Karyn Kusama, Annie Clark (St. Vincent), and Jovanka Vuckovic; Co-Written by Roxanne...
Marjane Satrapi to Direct Marie Curie Biopic
Marjane Satrapi is set to bring another graphic novel to the big screen. The “Persepolis” filmmaker will direct Working Title’s “Radioactive,” based on Lauren Redniss’ graphic nonfiction...
So Yong Kim on the Blurred Lines Between Friendship and Romance in “Lovesong”
So Yong Kim is an award-winning Korean-American independent filmmaker. In 2006 Kim received the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for her debut feature, “In Between Days.” Her...
“Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan” Gets Distribution and Release Date
“Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan” has found a home. Abramorama has acquired the theatrical rights to the ballet documentary, the company announced in a press release. Directed and produced by...
STX Options “The New Neighbors” Spec, Leslye Headland Set to Direct
Leslye Headland is gearing up to direct her third feature film. The “Bachelorette” and “Sleeping with Other People” writer-director is attached to helm “The New Neighbors,” Deadline...
Andrea Berloff to Make Directorial Debut with Female-Led Mob Story “The Kitchen”
Oscar-nominated screenwriter Andrea Berloff will make her directorial debut with New Line Cinema’s “The Kitchen,” The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The female-led mob story is an...
New Directors/New Films Festival Announces 2017 Lineup
The lineup for the 46th annual New Directors/New Films Festival (ND/NF) has been announced. A joint effort of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Film Society of Lincoln Center, ND/NF will...
“Divines” Director Houda Benyamina Developing Wartime Romance
Houda Benyamina is turning her eye from BFFs to lovers. The French-Moroccan filmmaker is developing her follow-up to “Divines,” a coming-of-age drama about best friends in over their heads, with...
Trailer Watch: Bel Powley Has a Big Vocab and a Bad Attitude in “Carrie Pilby”
Carrie Pilby has plenty to say about Camus, Kierkegaard, and Hobbes, but the 19-year-old Harvard graduate can’t make small talk to save her life. “There’s a perfectly good reason I don’t...
Free Screenings for “Hidden Figures” and Public Screenings for “13th” Announced
Haven’t had a chance to see “Hidden Figures”? Want to host a screening of “13th” for your school? You’re in luck: Both films have been granted screening access. According to Deadline,...
Major Studios in Settlement Talks with EEOC for Systemically Discriminating Against Women Directors
Shit is about to hit the fan, and we couldn’t be any happier about it. Hollywood may finally be held accountable for their sexist treatment of female filmmakers. The Equal Employment Opportunity...
Megan Ellison Developing Series About the 2016 Election
Mega-producer Megan Ellison is set to team up with frequent collaborator Mark Boal for a series about the recent presidential race, Deadline reports. Ellison and Boal describe the project as an...
Gurinder Chadha to Direct Film About a Female Indian Spy Set in WWII
“Bend It Like Beckham” director Gurinder Chadha has announced her newest project. The Hindustan Times reports that Chadha is developing “Song for a Spy,” about a female Indian World War II...
Niki Caro to Direct Disney’s Live-Action “Mulan”
Welcome to the $100 million club, Niki Caro. The “McFarland, USA” director is reteaming with Disney to helm its live-action “Mulan” remake, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. With this gig,...
Berlinale 2017 Women Directors: Meet Tala Hadid — “House in the Fields”
Tala Hadid is a writer, director, and photographer. Her first film,“Sacred Poet,” centered on Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini. She’s directed several short films, including “Tes...
LA Women’s International Film Festival Announces 2017 Lineup
The 13th Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival has announced its 2017 program. The festival will kick-off four days of features, documentaries, shorts, and panel discussions with a...
Trailer Watch: Amandla Stenberg Finds Freedom in “Everything, Everything”
Adolescence can be really, really difficult. In fact, plenty of teens only manage to get through it by looking forward to the escape that comes after high school, particularly moving out of their...
Kahane Cooperman’s Oscar-Nominated Short “Joe’s Violin” Acquired by PBS
A tale of two unlikely BFFs is set to reach households across the country. Kahane Cooperman’s “Joe’s Violin” has been acquired by PBS’ “POV,” Deadline reports. The documentary series...
Teaser Watch: Suki Waterhouse Is Captured by Cannibals in Ana Lily Amirpour’s “The Bad Batch”
If you loved “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night,” you’re in luck. A teaser has finally arrived for writer-director Ana Lily Amirpour’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed western vampire...
Jena Friedman to Make Directorial Debut with “Serial Dater,” Starring Imogen Poots
Jena Friedman is set to depict the the perils of modern dating in “Serial Dater,” her directorial debut. The stand-up comedian and former “The Daily Show” producer will also pen the script...
Berlinale 2017 Women Directors: Meet Jackie Van Beek — “The Inland Road”
Jackie Van Beek is a New Zealand writer, director, and actor with a background in devised theater. She has made seven short films that have played at numerous festivals including Berlin, London,...
Golshifteh Farahani to Star in Eva Husson Film About Female Resistance Fighters
A female-led film about freedom fighters that’s written and directed by a woman? Count us in. “Paterson” actress Golshifteh Farahani has signed on to star in Eva Husson’s “Girls of the...
Berlinale 2017 Women Directors: Meet Rubika Shah — “White Riot: London”
Rubika Shah is a director, writer, and journalist. She has directed a number of documentary shorts for the BBC which explore the works of Spike Lee, Gore Vidal, and others. Her documentary short...
Jessica Chastain to Be Named Female Star of the Year at CinemaCon
Two-time Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain is adding yet another honor to her extensive resume. She’s been named the Female Star of the Year by CinemaCon, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The actress...
Alice Lowe’s “Prevenge” Secures a U.S. Release
You’ll be able to watch a dark comedy about a mom-to-be on a killing spree in U.S. theaters next month. Happy Friday! The North American rights to Alice Lowe’s delightfully weird “Prevenge”...
Berlinale 2017 Women Directors: Meet Teona Strugar Mitevska — “When the Day Had No Name”
Teona Strugar Mitevska is an award-winning writer and director. Her previous credits include “The Woman Who Brushed Off Her Tears,” “I Am from Titov Veles,” and “Veta.” “When the Day...