#Women Directors
Amidst Backlash Over Lack of Women Directors, Venice Film Fest Signs Gender Parity Pledge
The Venice Film Festival is finally taking tangible steps toward gender equality. The festival signed the 5050×2020 Pledge yesterday, in spite of Artistic Director Alberto Barbera previously...
Adina Pintilie’s Berlinale Winner “Touch Me Not” Snagged by Kino Lorber
“Touch Me Not” has secured North American distribution prior to its North American premiere at next month’s Toronto International Film Festival. Kino Lorber scored rights to the...
Miu Miu Women’s Tales 2018 Will Screen Shorts by Haifaa Al-Mansour and Dakota Fanning
Venice Film Festival has announced the offerings for this year’s Miu Miu Women’s Tales, a “dedicated program of film screenings and revealing conversations by some of the most exciting...
Ava DuVernay to Premiere Short Film on OWN, Signs Open Letter About Hollywood’s Pay Gap
Ava DuVernay is set to premiere a new short film on OWN. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker will debut “August 28th: A Day in the Life of a People” on the network behind her TV series,...
Trailer Watch: Joey King Loses Her Grandma and Gains a Mission in Teen Pic “Summer ’03”
Joey King feels pressure to make her grandma’s dying wish a reality in a new trailer for “Summer ’03.” As she takes her final breath, Grandma (June Squibb,...
Trailer Watch: An Army Vet Brings a Malevolent Force into Her Home in “Lost Child”
“These are the Ozarks woods,” a family friend reminds Fern (Leven Rambin, “True Detective”), an army veteran who has just returned home. “These people around here, they...
Weekly Update for August 24: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING The Bookshop – Written and Directed by Isabel Coixet (U.S. Release) (Opens in NY and LA) England, 1959. Free-spirited widow Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) risks...
Camden International Film Fest’s 2018 Lineup Is Over 50% Women-Directed
This year’s Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) promises to be a good one for women filmmakers. According to a press release, the documentary fest boasts full gender parity among its...
Sundance Institute Fellow Tayarisha Poe Directing Her First Feature Film
Tayarisha Poe’s “Selah and the Spades” is officially making its way to the big screen. According to Deadline, Poe is helming the film from her own script, marking her feature...
Both Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowships Go to Women Writer-Directors
Erica Liu and So Young Shelly Yo are the 2018 SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellows. SFFILM, a Bay Area-based org championing films and filmmakers, announced the news in a press...
Sharon Horgan to Make Her Feature Directorial Debut, Has Yet Another Show in the Works
Sharon Horgan is squeezing two more projects into her jam-packed schedule. Deadline confirms the “Catastrophe” star and co-creator will direct her first feature film, and is teaming up...
Trailer Watch: Nicole Holofcener Explores a Mid-Life Crisis in “The Land of Steady Habits”
Convinced that something needs to change, Anders Hill (Ben Mendelsohn) quits his job in finance, which he describes as a “system of monstrous greed.” He doesn’t need more toys or...
Under the Radar: Yoko Yamanaka’s “Amiko” Is A Raw Coming-of-Age Story
High schooler Amiko (Aira Sunohara) is in love. The object of her affections is Aomi (Hiroto Oshita), a cool, counterculture guy with whom she bonds over their shared love of Radiohead. Despite his...
Melissa Rosenberg and Kay Cannon Score TV Deals
“Jessica Jones” showrunner Melissa Rosenberg and “Blockers” director Kay Cannon have both inked deals with indie television studios. According to The Hollywood Reporter,...
Amma Asante’s “Where Hands Touch” Acquired by Vertical
Amma Asante’s latest has secured distribution in advance of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Deadline reports that Vertical Entertainment snagged North American...
Natalie Portman to Direct and Star as Twins in Pic About Ann Landers and Dear Abby Advice Columns
As an Oscar-winning actress with more than 20 years of experience in the industry and a directing credit under her belt, Natalie Portman has no doubt been asked for plenty of advice. She’s set...
Jodie Whittaker-Led “Doctor Who” Features Female Writer of Color For the First Time
Feminist Whovians can rejoice once more. The new “Doctor Who” — you know, the one that will finally feature a woman Doctor — has announced its writers and directors....
Trailer Watch: An Actress and Activist Explores Her Roots in “Jane Fonda in Five Acts”
“This is the beginning of my last act. In order to know how to go forward, I’m going to have to know where I’ve been,” says Jane Fonda in the first trailer for “Jane...
“GLOW” Renewed for Season 3
The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling are heading to Sin City. Netflix has finally renewed “GLOW” for a third season, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Season 2’s finale concluded with...
Rungano Nyoni’s “I Am Not a Witch” Is UK’s 2019 Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
“I Am Not a Witch” may be heading to the Academy Awards. Rungano Nyoni’s debut feature has been named as the UK’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2019 Oscars,...
Weekly Update for August 17: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING The Wife – Written by Jane Anderson (Opens in NY and LA) After nearly 40 years of marriage, Joan and Joe Castleman (Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce) are complements....
Constance Wu Holiday Horror Pic “All the Creatures Were Stirring” Secures VOD Release
In addition to being the first studio film with a predominantly Asian cast in 25 years, as well as a critical and (most likely) commercial success, “Crazy Rich Asians” just goes to show...
“Anne With an E” Returning for a Third Season
Get ready to hear Anne spin another yarn. Prince Edward Island’s most beloved fictional resident is sticking around the small screen. Netflix and Canadian broadcaster CBC have renewed...
Growing Pains: Crowdfunding Picks
Flip through one of your old photo albums. How does it feel? Regardless of the time period you are looking back on, you’re probably experiencing a fairly strong emotional response. Maybe it’s...
Trailer Watch: Mary Elizabeth Winstead Is a Stand-Up With a Complicated Past in “All About Nina”
Mary Elizabeth Winstead takes center stage in a new trailer for “All About Nina.” The critically acclaimed dark comedy sees the “Fargo” alumna playing a stand-up comic....
Trailer Watch: Maika Monroe Hears an Unusual Pickup Line in “After Everything”
Mia (Maika Monroe, “It Follows”) isn’t impressed when Elliot (Jeremy Allen White, “Shameless”) starts chatting her up at subway stop in the trailer for “After...
Orion Classics Acquires SXSW Winner “Jinn”
Orion Classics has snagged the North American and Latin American rights to Nijla Mu’min’s feature directorial debut. Deadline reports that the award-winning mother-daughter drama will open in...
TIFF Adds More Galas and Special Presentations: Pics from Sam Taylor-Johnson, Veena Sud, & More
The Toronto International Film Festival has added more titles to its most high profile slates. Of four galas added, one is woman-directed: Veena Sud’s “The Lie.” Starring Mireille...
Women Working in the Arts: August’s VOD and Web Series Picks
Although the arts industries pride themselves on being creatively enlightened, the #MeToo movement has shown they are hardly “safe” workplaces for women (or any other marginalized group)....
Trailer Watch: Netflix Doc “City of Joy” Turns the Camera on Women in the Eastern Congo
“We had no experience with war. When we first heard the word rape we didn’t know what it was,” says one of the characters at the center of “City of Joy.” The upcoming...
Filming Kicks Off on Niki Caro’s “Mulan”
Production has officially kicked off on Disney’s live-action “Mulan.” A press release announced the news. Set to shoot in New Zealand and China, the story about a Chinese warrior...
Dominga Sotomayor Wins Leopard for Best Direction at Locarno 2018
The 2018 edition of the Locarno Film Festival has come to a close. The Switzerland-based fest committed to major change this year: President Marco Solari and Vice President Carla Speziali signed the...
Weekly Update for August 10: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING Crazy Rich Asians – Written by Adele Lim and Peter Chiarelli (Opens August 15) “Crazy Rich Asians” follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she...
EWA Pens Open Letter to Venice Film Festival About Lack of Women Directors
European Women’s Audiovisual Network (EWA) has shared an open letter to Paolo Baratta, President of the Venice Biennale, about the lack of women-directed films screening in Venice International...
Actress Lynn Chen to Make Directorial Debut with “I Will Make You Mine”
Lynn Chen is set to helm the final installment of the Goh Nakamura film trilogy. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress will direct her first feature, indie “I Will Make You...
TIFF’s Documentary Program Includes Films from Rashida Jones, Alexis Bloom, & More
The Toronto International Film Festival is less than a month away, and the fest is dropping announcements almost daily. Today marks the unveiling of the fest’s Documentary and Midnight Madness...
Trailer Watch: Maggie Gyllenhaal Loses Her Grip in “The Kindergarten Teacher”
“Talent is so fragile. It’s so rare, and our culture does everything to crush it,” says Maggie Gyllenhaal in the first trailer for Sara Colangelo’s “The Kindergarten...
Chelsea Stardust Directing Horror Comedy “Satanic Panic”
Chelsea Stardust is taking the reins on “an ‘After Hours’-esque horror comedy with a dash of gore.” Deadline reports Stardust will helm “Satanic Panic” for growing...
“Queen Sugar” Renewed for a Fourth Season
We’ll get to hang out with the Bordelon family for at least another season. Variety confirms “Queen Sugar” is getting a fourth run at OWN. The Ava DuVernay-created intergenerational...
TIFF Announces Platform Program: Karyn Kusama, Carol Morley, & More
Nicole Kidman and Patricia Clarkson are bringing law and order to the Toronto International Film Festival. Both play detectives in films set to screen at TIFF. The fest just announced its Platform...
Tamra Davis to Direct Robot Comedy “Turned On” for FeigCo. and Fox
Tamra Davis has signed on to direct her first feature in 16 years. Deadline confirms the veteran director will helm artificial intelligence comedy “Turned On” for 20th Century Fox and...
NYFF Announces Main Slate and It’s 13 Percent Women-Directed
We’re hoping the New York Film Festival (NYFF) follows in the footsteps of Cannes and Locarno and signs a gender parity pledge. The fest just announced its main slate, and it’s sorely...
Jennifer Lopez to Star in Lorene Scafaria’s “Hustlers”
Jenny from the Block is taking on the wolves of Wall Street. Variety confirms that Jennifer Lopez will topline “Hustlers,” a pic inspired by Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine...
Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga Will Topline Rebecca Hall’s Directorial Debut
Rebecca Hall is re-teaming with her “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” director Angela Robinson. The Golden Globe-nominated actress is set to make her directorial debut with...
“Supergirl” Movie in Development
Supergirl is already saving lives on the small screen, but it looks like Kara Zor-El will be flying all the way to multiplexes around the world. Warner Bros. and DC are developing a feature based on...
Ursula Meier to Make English-Language Debut with “Quiet Land”
Ursula Meier is making a major mark at this year’s Locarno Film Festival. The fest just signed a gender parity pledge for which she’s credited as the Godmother, and now word comes that...
Watch: Gemma Arterton Auditions Felicity Jones & More for Humiliating “Leading Lady Parts”
“It’s not rocket science, darling,” a casting director tells Florence Pugh (“Lady Macbeth”) in short film “Leading Lady Parts.” “We’re just...
Sarah Gavron Filming Drama About Multi-Cultural Schoolgirls in London
“Suffragette” helmer Sarah Gavron is taking on another female-led story. The British filmmaker just kicked off principal photography for a drama about a British-Nigerian girl. Currently...
Trailer Watch: #Female Pleasure Follows the Global Struggle for Sexual Liberation
Described as a “plea for the liberation of female sexuality in the 21st century,” “#Female Pleasure” tells the story of five women around the world fighting “for a...
Weekly Update for August 3: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING The Miseducation of Cameron Post – Directed by Desiree Akhavan; Written by Desiree Akhavan and Cecilia Frugiuele Cameron Post (Chloë Grace Moretz) looks the part of...
“Never Goin’ Back” Writer-Director Augustine Frizzell on Her Love Letter to Female Friendship
“Never Goin’ Back” is a teen comedy, but not kind we’re used to seeing. Augustine Frizzell’s directorial debut doesn’t tell the familiar story of college-bound...