Women Writers
Amanda Lipitz on the Inspiring Girls of “Step”
Do yourself a favor and go see “Step” this weekend. It’s impossible to watch without wanting to dance in your seat. Directed by Amanda Lipitz, the inspiring doc follows three senior...
“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...
Trailer Watch: Angelina Jolie Tells a Harrowing Story in “First They Killed My Father”
A trailer has landed for Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial effort, “First They Killed My Father.” The spot is scarce on plot details — and includes no dialogue — but it manages...
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...
August 2017 Film Preview
“The Glass Castle” With summer drawing to a close, August brings a bevy of films by and about women that engage with quirky themes and unique perspectives. The month kicks off with “Step,”...
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...
Quote of the Day: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Calls People-Pleasing “A Fucking Nightmare”
“Being proper and sweet and nice and pleasing is a fucking nightmare. It’s exhausting,” says Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a new interview with The Guardian. It’s just the kind of observation her...
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...
Weekly Update for July 28: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Atomic Blonde” Films About Women Opening This Week Atomic Blonde Oscar-winner Charlize Theron explodes into summer in “Atomic Blonde,” a breakneck action-thriller that follows MI6’s most...
Trailer Watch: The Pfeffermans Go to Israel in “Transparent” Season 4
“You can just start again and never look back,” says Maura (Jeffrey Tambor) in a newly released trailer for “Transparent’s” upcoming fourth season. But — for better and for...
“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...
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...
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,...
Trailer Watch: Tig Notaro’s “One Mississippi” Returns For Second Season
The last time we saw Tig Notaro’s “One Mississippi” alter-ego, she was still oscillating between life crises and a new lease of life “down on the bayou.” The comedian’s...
Ingrid Jungermann on How “Serial” Influenced “Women Who Kill”
Ingrid Jungermann created the WGA-nominated web series “F To 7th,” featuring Amy Sedaris, Michael Showalter, and Gaby Hoffmann, and co-created “The Slope.” She received her MFA at NYU...
Trailer Watch: A Teen Questions His Sexuality in “Beach Rats”
“Do you think its hot when two guys make out?” a teen boy nervously asks his new girlfriend in a trailer for “Beach Rats.” Seconds before, Simone (Madeline Weinstein) told the boy (Harris...
Sarah DeLappe’s “The Wolves” to Make Off-Broadway Return This Fall
Listen up, “Bend it Like Beckham” fans: If you’re in New York City this fall, you may be able to catch “The Wolves,” an all-too-rare story about female athletes. According to Playbill,...
“UnReal” Co-Creator Sarah Gertrude Shapiro to Make Film About Women Who Fight ISIS
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro is no stranger to heavy topics. The “UnREAL” co-creator has tackled a racially-charged police shooting, rape, and suicide in her Lifetime hit. And now she’s set to take...
Amazon Acquires Natalie Dormer Series “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” Larysa Kondracki to Direct
Margaery Tyrell is making her way to Amazon. Deadline reports that the streaming service has picked up “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” a six-episode Australian period drama toplined by “Game of...
Nisha Ganatra to Direct Margaret Cho’s TNT Pilot
“Transparent,” “Girls,” “Better Things” — Nisha Ganatra has directed some of TV’s most critically acclaimed comedies, and now she’s set to helm Margaret Cho’s hourlong TNT...
Suranne Jones to Topline Sally Wainwright’s New Series About Anne Lister
“Gentleman Jack” has found its leading lady. “Doctor Foster” star Suranne Jones will play Anne Lister in Sally Wainwright’s upcoming HBO and BBC One series, Deadline reports. Formerly...
Anne Hathaway to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller “O2”
Anne Hathaway is getting her “Gravity” on. The Oscar winner has signed on to star in “O2,” a “contained thriller with sci-fi elements” that Deadline compares to 2014’s “Gravity,”...
Trailer Watch: Sally Hawkins Stuns in Other-Worldly Fairy Tale “The Shape of Water”
“If I told you about her, the princess without voice, what would I say?” So begins the first trailer for “The Shape of Water.” The so-called “princess” in question is Elisa (Sally...
“Landline’s” Gillian Robespierre and Elisabeth Holm on Jenny Slate, the ’90s, and Sisterhood
Gillian Robespierre and Elisabeth Holm are a filmmaking team best known for their 2014 abortion comedy “Obvious Child.” Their newest film, “Landline,” which the duo co-wrote and Robespierre...
Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil’s “Love Is ___” Lands at OWN
Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil are joining forces with OWN. The wife-and-husband team are working on “Love Is ___,” a new hourlong series for Oprah Winfrey’s TV network, The Hollywood Reporter...
Greta Gerwig’s Solo Directorial Debut Starring Saoirse Ronan Lands at A24
“Lady Bird” is set to take flight. Deadline reports that A24 has snagged worldwide distribution rights to Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, and the company seems to see awards potential...
Apply Now: Black List & Women In Film Feature Film Lab for Female Writers & Second Annual TV Lab
The Black List and Women In Film (WIF), LA have announced that they are re-teaming for the second annual episodic TV lab for women writers. A press release also revealed that they are also joining...
“Desert Hearts” Director Donna Deitch Talks Love Scenes, Gloria Steinem, and the Sequel
The groundbreaking lesbian film “Desert Hearts” has been digitally remastered and is being released on the big screen and on Blu-ray. Originally released in 1986, the Natalie Cooper-written film...
Trailer Watch: Natalie Portman Embraces Her Supernatural Abilities in “Planetarium”
“Don’t expect to see a show — but to live an experience,” an audience is told before spiritualist sisters Laura (Natalie Portman) and Kate (Lily-Rose Depp, “Yoga Hosers”) take the...
Drama Series Based on Mariah Carey’s Life Being Developed by Starz
Mariah Carey is best known for two things: her incredible pipes and the fact that she’s an incredible character. Her amazing talent and larger-than-life persona have captivated millions for...
Trailer Watch: Learn the Story Behind Diana Prince in “Professor Marston & The Wonder Women”
“Wonder Woman” has now grossed over $765 million worldwide, making the Patty Jenkins-directed blockbuster the highest-grossing live-action film ever helmed by a woman. For many, Diana Prince’s...
Irish Film Board Introduces New Incentives for Female Writers, Directors, & Producers
Six months after awarding 75 percent of its production loans to women directors, the Irish Film Board has unveiled another plan to bolster gender equality in Ireland’s film industry. Scannain...
Christina Hendricks, Alysia Reiner, & Anna Camp to Star in Marianna Palka’s “Egg”
A radical depiction of unconventional motherhood is on the way. A press release has announced that Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Alysia Reiner (“Orange Is the New Black”), and Anna Camp...
“Wicked” Becomes the Second-Highest-Grossing Broadway Show of All Time
Elphaba and Glinda continue to make magic on Broadway. “Wizard of Oz” prequel “Wicked” crossed the $1 billion benchmark last March in record time, and after raking in just short of $2...
Trailer Watch: Take an Epic Adventure with Oprah in Ava DuVernay’s “A Wrinkle in Time”
“Your father has accomplished something extraordinary — also dangerous,” Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey) tells Meg Murry (Storm Reid). “He’s trapped by a darkness that’s actively...
Donna Deitch’s Digitally Restored “Desert Hearts” to Screen at IFC, Receives New Trailer
“Desert Hearts” Donna Deitch’s pioneering LGBTQ film “Desert Hearts” is returning to the big screen. The 1986 movie, which recently received a digital restoration, will be screening at the...
Weekly Update for July 14: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“To the Bone” Films About Women Opening This Week To the Bone — Written and Directed by Marti Noxon (Available on Netflix) Based on the real-life experiences of writer-director Marti...
Emma Rice to Establish New Theater Company at London’s Old Vic
Emma Rice is wasting no time setting up her new theater company, Wise Children. According to BBC News, the Globe’s exiting artistic director has unveiled plans to launch Wise Children at...
Amy Schumer’s “I Feel Pretty” & Cate Blanchett’s “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” Get Release Dates
Theatrical releases have been set for the Amy Schumer comedy “I Feel Pretty,” and the Cate Blanchett-led “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” “I Feel Pretty,” in which Schumer plays a woman...
2017 Emmy Awards: “Big Little Lies” and “Handmaid’s Tale” Make a Major Mark
The Emmy nominations were announced earlier today and there was plenty of recognition for female-centric series like “Big Little Lies,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Feud: Bette and...
Toni Collette to EP and Write TV Adaptation of Julia Dahl’s “Invisible City”
Oscar-nominated actress Toni Collette is continuing to spread her wings. Back in May, the former “United States of Tara” star nabbed the rights to “The Rosie Project” author Graeme...
“Claws” Renewed for Season 2
This calls for a celebratory manicure: “Claws” is coming back for a second season. Deadline reports that the TNT dramedy has been renewed by TNT just five episodes into its debut season, an...
Submit Your Script for Sundance Screenwriting Fellowship
Submissions are now open for the fifth annual Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship. From the Black List and producer Elwes (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler”), the fellowship will grant...
Trailer Watch: A Man’s Life Unravels in Janicza Bravo’s “Lemon”
“Lemon” is “the story of a man who watches his life unravel after he is left by his blind girlfriend,” writer-director Janicza Bravo told us before the film’s premiere at Sundance. A newly...
The 2017 Women in Film & TV UK Award Nominations Are Open
Here’s your chance to give a talented woman in the entertainment industry some well-deserved recognition: Nominations for the 2017 Women in Film & TV UK Awards are now open. Anyone and...
We Might Be Getting More “L Word”
Everyone’s favorite “Lez Girls” could be returning to the small screen. According to Variety, Showtime is developing a sequel to the “The L Word,” the Ilene Chaiken-created drama series...
“Criminal Minds” Boss Erica Messer Signs Two-Year Pod Deal with ABC Studios
“Criminal Minds” showrunner Erica Messer isn’t giving up the profiling biz quite yet. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Messer has signed a two-year pod deal with ABC Studios, “Criminal...
Apply Now: New TIFF-CBC Screenwriting Grant for Underrepresented Storytellers
Canada is taking another step towards a more inclusive entertainment industry. A new, $10,000 TIFF-CBC Screenwriting Grant has been launched to recognize and support underrepresented Canadian...
Study: West End Musicals Are Overwhelmingly Written by Men
London’s West End just earned a dubious honor: it’s just as inhospitable to women as Broadway. A new study from The Stage examined the West End musical productions that ran for at least three...
Majority of Writers and Directors in The Royal Court Theatre’s New Season Are Women
Broadway is sorely lacking when it comes to women-penned plays, but the Royal Court’s new season is a bright spot amid lots of bad news about women in theater. “Two thirds of the writers and...
Toronto International Film Fest Launches Share Her Journey Campaign
This year’s edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is still about two months away, but the fest is already introducing Share Her Journey, a program that will spotlight women in...