Women Writers
Jenji Kohan Recounts Sexism She Faced While Building Her Writing Career
Like the protagonists of her shows “Weeds” and “Orange Is the New Black,” Jenji Kohan isn’t shy about speaking her mind. And she won’t hesitate to call someone out if she needs to. This...
Noomi Rapace and Director Vicky Jewson Team Up for Female Bodyguard Flick
BAFTA-nominated actress Noomi Rapace is no stranger to fast-paced thrillers. The star has appeared in everything from “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” franchise to “Prometheus” to...
Weekly Update for August 25: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Served Like a Girl” Films About Women Opening This Week Served Like a Girl (Documentary) — Co-Written and Directed by Lysa Heslov (Opens in NY and LA) Director Lysa Heslov’s powerful...
Guest Post: Why the Lack of Women-Made Films in the National Film Registry Is a Problem — and How…
Guest Post: Why the Lack of Women-Made Films in the National Film Registry Is a Problem — and How We Can Fix It Guest Post by Maya Pearson New strides towards equality are being made every...
“One Day at a Time” Co-Creator Gloria Calderon Kellett Has New CBS Show in the Works
At the beginning of the summer, “One Day at a Time” co-creator Gloria Calderon Kellett landed an overall deal with Sony TV. Alongside Netflix’s “One Day at a Time,” it affords Kellett and...
Amazon Renews Jill Soloway’s “Transparent” for a Fifth Season
Jill Soloway’s award-winning series “Transparent” is, without a doubt, one of Amazon’s most successful properties. With two Golden Globes and eight Emmys to its name, it’s no surprise that...
Marcia Clark Legal Thriller Picked Up By ABC and Mandeville TV
These days, former prosecutor Marcia Clark is best associated with Sarah Paulson’s Emmy-winning portrayal in FX’s “The People vs. O.J. Simpson.” Clark has since turned from law to a career...
MoMA to Host Kelly Reichardt Mid-Career Retrospective
If you can’t wait for Kelly Reichardt’s next film, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has something to tide you over. The museum will be hosting a mid-career retrospective of Reichardt’s work,...
Rebecca Thomas Will Direct Sci-Fi Thriller “Intelligent Life”
Rebecca Thomas will be taking the reins on another sci-fi film. The “Stranger Things” director — who signed on for the sci-fi action-thriller “Malignant” earlier this...
Trailer Watch: Two Friends Face Trauma and Grief in Liz W. Garcia’s “One Percent More Humid”
“This is a moment right before everything falls apart,” a serious Iris (Juno Temple) tells her forbidden lover, Gerald (Alessandro Nivola). “You just have to keep walking and trying not to...
Movies Announced from Directors St. Vincent, Emily Harris, & Brittany Poulton
Several new women-directed films are on the way. According to recent reports, we can expect the feature directorial debut from musical artist St. Vincent as well as Emily Harris’ first solo...
Women Sizzle at an Otherwise Not-So-Hot Summer Box Office
All in all, it’s been a rough summer for movie theaters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this season’s box office is “pacing 12.4 percent behind last year” and it’s predicted that it...
Weekly Update for August 18: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Patti Cake$” Films About Women Opening This Week Patti Cake$ (Opens in Limited Release) In a coming-of-age story straight out of Jersey, an unlikely rapper (Danielle Macdonald) finds her voice...
The Orchard Acquires Lynn Shelton’s “Outside In”
Once again, it’s almost TIFF season and several new films will be hitting the scene. This includes a new, buzz-worthy project from “Your Sister’s Sister” helmer Lynn Shelton. Deadline...
“Rizzoli & Isles” Creator Janet Tamaro Developing New Police Drama for Fox
It’s no secret that police procedurals are a staple of network television. That said, there are very few series featuring an all-female detective team in the network crime landscape. Fox is...
Trailer Watch: A Newly Single Woman Learns to Like Herself in “Year by the Sea”
“Men may want out,” Liz (S. Epatha Merkerson, “Law & Order”) tells her newly single friend Joan (Karen Allen, “Indiana Jones” franchise). “But I think they usually set it up so...
“Captain Marvel” Lands New Screenwriter
“Tomb Raider” reboot scribe Geneva Robertson-Dworet will be writing the story of Carol Danvers. Marvel has hired her to take over “Captain Marvel” screenwriting duties from Meg LeFauve...
Jennifer Aniston in Talks to Topline Comedy from Sophie Goodhart
It looks like Jennifer Aniston will star in another woman-directed film. The “Friends” actress is in talks with STXfilms to topline an untitled comedy from writer-director Sophie Goodhart,...
Sanaa Lathan to Star in Haifaa Al-Mansour Netflix Film “Nappily Ever After”
Sanaa Lathan is the latest Hollywood player to get into the Netflix business. Deadline confirms that the “Love & Basketball” actress will topline “Nappily Ever After,” a Netflix film...
Tina Turner Stage Musical in the Works from Director Phyllida Lloyd and Writer Katori Hall
Tina Turner and “Tina” director Phyllida Lloyd: Turner’s Facebook account Tina Turner’s career has been nothing short of legendary. Over the past 60 years, she has dabbled in almost every...
Nia Vardalos to Star in Dramedy Series for Bravo
Nia Vardalos has booked her next TV role. The writer, director, and actress will star in a dramedy series for Bravo, tentatively titled “Suburbs Famous.” Vardalos will portray a suburban...
“Nashville” Creator Callie Khouri Has a New Music Series in the Works
Callie Khouri is headed to Miami. The “Nashville” creator has a new music-centric series in the works, this one based in the Sunshine State. Khouri hinted at the project during CMT’s #Nashchat...
Weekly Update for August 11: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Glass Castle”: Jake Giles Netter/Lionsgate Films About Women Opening This Week The Glass Castle Chronicling the adventures of an eccentric, resilient, and tight-knit family, “The Glass...
“Simpsons” Writer Mimi Pond on Being Shut Out of All-Male Writers’ Room
For a show that gave us Lisa Simpson, one of the most feminist TV characters of all time, “The Simpsons” hasn’t always been a welcoming environment for women. Just the opposite in fact,...
“GLOW” Gets Renewed for Season 2, New Jenji Kohan Series Picked Up
Like the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling themselves, Jenji Kohan is kicking ass. News has broken that the Kohan-executive produced Netflix series “GLOW” will be back for a second season, and that...
Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger to Star in Period Romance from Annabel Jankel
Oscar winner Anna Paquin is switching from one period project to another. The “True Blood” star, who will next be seen in Sarah Polley’s “Alias Grace” miniseries on Netflix, has signed on...
Lena Waithe Talks Her Emmy Nod, Coming Out Stories, and #FirstTimeISawMe
“Master of None’s” Season 2 episode “Thanksgiving” traces the years-long coming out story of Denise, played by Lena Waithe. But Waithe, who wrote the episode with series co-creator and...
Watch: BFFs Share Secrets and Jokes in Exclusive “Porcupine Lake” Clip
Sleepovers are sacred spaces, and by choosing to attend participants agree to an implied confidentiality agreement: what happens at a sleepover stays at a sleepover. Our exclusive clip of...
“Finding Dory” Co-Writer Victoria Strouse to Adapt Book About Female Aviators
Victoria Strouse is shifting her focus from under the sea to the skies above. The “Finding Dory” co-writer has been hired by Fox 2000 to adapt Katherine Sharp Landdeck’s upcoming nonfiction...
More Than One Hat: August VOD and Web Series Picks
“Wisco Queens” Oftentimes, women in the film industry wear more than one hat — especially if a project is very close to their own identities and lives. The women behind this month’s VOD...
Trailer Watch: Learn the Amazing History Behind Curious George and His Creators in “Monkey…
Trailer Watch: Learn the Amazing History Behind Curious George and His Creators in “Monkey Business” “He’s as much of an immigrant as anyone,” we’re told about the world’s most beloved...
TIFF 2017 Adds More Programs: “Alias Grace” Series to Make World Premiere
The Toronto International Film Festival announced even more programs for its 2017 edition today. In addition to the Canadian and Cinematheque film lineups, TIFF unveiled the finalists for Telefilm...
Melissa McCarthy to Topline and Produce Film About Boston’s First Female Cops
Melissa McCarthy has lined up her next project. The comedy superstar will team up with her producing partner, frequent collaborator, and husband Ben Falcone on an untitled film about Boston’s...
Teaser Watch: Frankie Shaw Is a Single Mom Looking for Sex and Romance in “SMILF”
A meet cute is derailed by a screaming baby in the first teaser for “SMILF,” Frankie Shaw’s upcoming Showtime series. The spot kicks off with Shaw’s character, Bridgette, flirting with a guy...
The “Fun Mom Dinner” Team on Depicting Friendship Between Mothers Onscreen
After the success of last year’s “Bad Moms,” there has been a slew of raunchy, female-driven comedies like “Rough Night,” “Little Hours,” and “Girls Trip.” The most recent addition...
“Insecure” Renewed for Season 3
Issa Rae is sticking around HBO. The premium cable network has renewed “Insecure” for a third season, Variety reports. The critically acclaimed show’s second season premiered on...
Valeska Grisebach’s “Western” Gets U.S. Distribution
“Western” has found a home. Cinema Guild has snagged the U.S. rights to Valeska Grisebach’s thriller with a theatrical release planned for early 2018, Variety reports. Grisebach is among the...
Janelle Brown’s “Watch Me Disappear” Optioned by The Gotham Group
Another compulsively readable “Gone Girl”-esque book is getting the big screen treatment. Deadline reports that Janelle Brown’s bestseller “Watch Me Disappear” — which has drawn...
Paula Vogel’s “Indecent” Ends Broadway Run with Highest Weekly Gross Yet
Paula Vogel’s Tony-winning play “Indecent” ended its Broadway run last night on a new high. After 128 performances and 15 previews at Cort Theatre, the show closed with its highest weekly...
Trailer Watch: Juliette Binoche Teaches a Dancer to Express Herself in “Polina”
“Polina” follows a gifted dancer on the brink of joining the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet when she decides to radically change gears. “I’m tired of executing other people’s choreography. I...
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:...
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...
Weekly Update for August 4: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Step” Films About Women Opening This Week Step (Documentary) — Directed by Amanda Lipitz Baltimore is a city that is fighting to save its youth. “Step” chronicles the trials and...
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...
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...
“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...
Trailer Watch: History Is Made in Gurinder Chadha’s “Viceroy’s House”
“I am to be the last Viceroy of India and I shall carry out the role with great pride,” says Lord Louis Montbatten (Hugh Bonneville, “Downton Abbey”) in a new trailer for Gurinder Chadha’s...