#Women Writers
Sarah Michelle Gellar to Topline TV Adaptation of “Sometimes I Lie” Penned by Robin Swicord
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s coming back to TV. Famous for her ass-kicking titular role on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Gellar will play a character living under very different...
Liesl Tommy to Direct Aretha Franklin Biopic, Jennifer Hudson Will Star
Liesl Tommy is making sure Aretha Franklin’s story gets the R-E-S-P-E-C-T it deserves on the big screen. The Tony Award-nominated stage director has been tapped to helm “Respect”...
Trailer Watch: Natasha Lyonne Can’t Escape Her Birthday Party, or Death, in “Russian Doll”
“Let’s fuck this party in the mouth,” announces Natasha Lyonne in the first trailer for “Russian Doll.” The upcoming Netflix comedy sees the “Orange Is the New...
Athena Fest 2019: “Fast Color,” “Knock Down the House,” & More to Screen
If you’re frustrated by awards season’s exclusion of women filmmakers and their stories, or if you’re encouraged by the growing number of film festivals committing to gender parity,...
Trailer Watch: Issa Rae Helps Regina Hall Through a Cursed Situation in “Little”
Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall) is the boss from hell in the new trailer for “Little” — but she gets her comeuppance. After years of bullying her assistant, terrorizing her staff, and...
Jennifer Kent’s Venice Winner “The Nightingale” Goes to IFC
“The Nightingale” will land in theaters this summer. IFC Films has secured U.S. rights to Jennifer Kent’s award-winning follow-up to “The Babadook,” Variety confirms. A...
“The Favourite” Leads 2019 BAFTA Nominations, Best Director Category Features No Women
The 2019 BAFTA film nominations are in and Olivia Colman-starrer “The Favourite” leads the back with 12 nominations. The dark comedy sees Colman playing a fragile queen at the center of a...
Watch: Brie Larson Flaunts Her Skills in “Captain Marvel” Special Look
“I’ve never seen anything like her,” says Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) in a special look at “Captain Marvel.” This is coming from a guy who has spent considerable time...
Christine Lahti Discusses Playing Gloria Steinem in Off-Broadway’s “Gloria: A Life”
When Christine Lahti was offered the role of Gloria Steinem in the Off-Broadway play “Gloria: A Life,” she knew it would resonate on many levels. After all, she has known Steinem for...
Debra Granik Wins Bonnie Award
Debra Granik is following in Chloe Zhaó’s footsteps. The “Leave No Trace” helmer has been named as the recipient of the 2019 Bonnie Award, a press release from the Film...
Chloé Zhao’s “The Rider” Named Best Picture by National Society of Film Critics
“The Rider” — and other women-directed offerings — have received little attention in awards conversations this year, but Chloé Zhao’s latest just scored a major honor....
Weekly Update for January 4: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING Rust Creek – Directed by Jen McGowan; Written by Julie Lipson (Also Available on VOD) An ordinary woman must summon extraordinary courage to survive a nightmare...
Apply Now: WhoHaha Spring Creator Lab
Attention creators: WhoHaha wants to nurture your talent. Launched to celebrate and elevate women in comedy, the creative community and digital content studio is now accepting applications for their...
Trailer Watch: Noomi Rapace Is a Badass Bodyguard in “Close”
The original “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is still kicking ass. A trailer has dropped for “Close,” a Netflix thriller that sees Noomi Rapace taking on the role of a...
Miniseries and Film About “Out of Africa” Author Karen Blixen in the Works
The life of author, adventurer, and businesswoman Karen Blixen might make its way to the screen once more. According to Deadline, Nordisk Film is developing “The Lioness,” an...
2018 Celluloid Ceiling Report: Number of Women Directors on Top 250 Films Falls to 8%
New year, same story. Dr. Martha Lauzen and the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film has released a new report, “The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the-Scenes Employment of Women on...
24 Most Anticipated Films By and About Women of 2019
By Keno Katsuda and Antora Majumdar As we close the book on 2018 and wonder what’s in store for the upcoming year, we do know we can at least look forward to some thrilling new women-centric and...
January 2019 Film Preview
By Antora Majumdar and Keno Katsuda If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to watch more movies, January’s film releases will help you reach your goal. With a solid mix of wholly original...
Weekly Update for December 21: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
Season’s greetings from Women and Hollywood! Thank you so much for your continued support of our work. We’ll be taking some time off for the holidays, so this will be our last weekly...
Reese Witherspoon Taps Liz Hannah to Write “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” Adaptation
Things are moving forward on Reese Witherspoon’s adaptation of “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.” Deadline confirms Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is joining forces with...
“Bumblebee” Writer Christina Hodson on Creating Female Characters Who Don’t Need To Be Saved
“Bumblebee” is a new take on the “Transformers” franchise. Finally, one of these films is watchable — and in fact really enjoyable. Hailee Steinfeld takes the lead and...
2018’s Best Films By and About Women
Many of our favorite films saw female characters claiming or reclaiming their power: Mary Stuart set her sights upon the English throne, and two ladies-in-waiting realized winning Queen Anne’s...
Trailer Watch: A Young Boxer Follows Her Dreams in “Float Like a Butterfly”
“You can live all your life on your knees if you want. But I can’t and I won’t,” says 15-year-old Frances (Hazel Doupe) in a a new trailer for Carmel Winters’...
Trailer Watch: Jodie Whittaker Needs to Grow Up in “Adult Life Skills”
“If I can’t communicate with people I love, what does that mean?” asks Jodie Whittaker in a new trailer for “Adult Life Skills.” The “Doctor Who” star...
“Downstairs” Director Adrienne Campbell-Holt on Why She Tends to Prefer Working with Women
Talking to theater director Adrienne Campbell-Holt is a breath of fresh air for any avid theater goer or film buff. She’s a big believer in not only working primarily with women on the projects she...
Female Skateboarding Comedy in the Works at HBO from Crystal Moselle and Lesley Arfin
“Skate Kitchen” director Crystal Moselle and “Love” co-creator Lesley Arfin are teaming up to bring a female-led skateboarding comedy to the small screen. HBO is developing...
Teaser Watch: Cate Blanchett Goes Missing in “Where’d You Go Bernadette?”
“Something unexpected has come up,” announces Cate Blanchett in a teaser for “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” “There’s much more explanation coming, but I have...
2018’s Best Documentaries By and About Women
Women and Hollywood’s top documentaries of 2018 feature a Nobel-winning activist, a filmmaker investigating her stolen project, and a world-renowned pop singer. Inspiring, heartbreaking, and...
Tyne Daly Chats About Collaborating with Her Brother and Theresa Rebeck on “Downstairs”
Tyne Daly is certainly no stranger to the New York stage. She has appeared in a plethora of work both on and off Broadway and has collaborated with some of the most pivotal creators of our time,...
2018’s Best TV Created By and About Women
2018 offered plenty of buzzy, zeitgeist-y television series about and from women. Dark and stylish, “Killing Eve” and “Sharp Objects” were among the year’s must-sees,...
Weekly Update for December 14: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING Mary Poppins Returns (Opens December 19) “Mary Poppins Returns” “Mary Poppins Returns” is set in 1930s, Depression-era London — the time period of the...
Amy Poehler Bringing Adaptation of Rebecca Makkai’s “The Great Believers” to TV
Amy Poehler is working on yet another TV project. Deadline confirms her Paper Kite Productions has optioned the rights to Rebecca Makkai’s “The Great Believers,” a novel about the...
Jennifer Garner-Led Drama Receives Straight-to-Series Order at Apple
“Camping” wrapped up less than two weeks ago and Jennifer Garner has already lined up another TV project. She will star in a limited drama series based on Amy Silverstein’s memoir...
Actress Daphne Zuniga to Make Feature Directorial Debut
No stranger to twisty drama, “Melrose Place” veteran Daphne Zuniga will be making her feature directorial debut with a thriller. Deadline confirms the actress has signed on to helm...
Feminist Theater Collective The Kilroys Announces New Class
The Kilroys, a Los Angeles-based collective of playwrights and producers fighting for gender parity in American theater, is bringing in some new blood. According to a press release, the 14 new...
Kathreen Khavari to Co-Write and Star in Refinery29 Pilot “Embrace”
Best known for her roles as Samantha on “Big Little Lies” and Patricia on “Insecure,” Kathreen Khavari is set to topline “Embrace,” a pilot for Refinery29....
Claudia Llosa to Direct “Distancia De Rescate” for Netflix
Claudia Llosa to set to make history. Again. She’s been tapped to become the first Peruvian filmmaker to direct a Netflix film, Deadline reports. Best known as the helmer of “The Milk of...
Sally Potter in Production on Her Next Film, Cast Includes Elle Fanning, Salma Hayek, Laura Linney
Sally Potter is re-teaming with Elle Fanning on her next pic. The “Ginger & Rosa” collaborators are in production on an as-yet untitled feature. Currently filming in Spain, the drama...
Constance Wu in Negotiations to Topline a Rom-Com
Constance Wu may be starring in another romantic comedy. The “Crazy Rich Asians” star is in negotiations to topline an untitled pic for Screen Gems, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Also...
Exclusive: Roberta Grossman’s WWII Resistance Doc “Who Will Write Our History” Secures Release
“Who Will Write Our History,” Roberta Grossman’s chronicle of a lesser known form of WWII-era resistance, will have a theatrical run, Women and Hollywood has learned exclusively....
History as Herstory: Crowdfunding Picks
Many of us were told the story of the pilgrims and Native Americans and their shared cooperation, which ultimately led to the holiday tradition of Thanksgiving, only to grow up and find out that the...
Weekly Update for December 7: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING Mary Queen of Scots – Directed by Josie Rourke It’s a little crazy to say Mary, Queen of Scots is the perfect role for Saoirse Ronan because I am certain that...
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Rungano Nyoni, & Jameela Jamil Among UK’s WFTV Award Winners
“Fleabag” and “Killing Eve” creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, “I Am Not a Witch” filmmaker Rungano Nyoni, activist and “The Good Place” actress Jameela...
“Dumplin'” Director Anne Fletcher on Why She Wants Audiences to Feel “Unique and Special”
Danielle Macdonald, who we were introduced to in “Patticake$,” takes on the lead in “Dumplin’,” a story about a teen girl who enters her mother’s (Jennifer...
BIFA and Tribeca Winner “Adult Life Skills” Gets U.S. Release Date
“Adult Life Skills” is finally hitting theaters stateside. The British comedy is being released by Screen Media in theaters and On Demand in the U.S. January 18, 2019. Written and...
Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir” Lands at A24, Tilda Swinton Stars
Announced as part of Sundance 2019’s lineup last week, Tilda Swinton-starrer “The Souvenir” has found a home. A24 snagged North American rights to Joanna Hogg’s romantic drama...
Lone Scherfig Drama “The Kindness of Strangers” to Open 2019 Berlin Film Festival
Lone Scherfig will have the honor of kicking off the 2019 Berlin Film Festival. The award-winning Danish writer-director will open the 69th edition of the fest with the premiere of her latest pic,...
Trailer Watch: A Family Falls Apart in Melissa Miller Costanzo’s “All These Small Moments”
“Relationships are complicated,” a mother tells her son in a new trailer for Melissa Miller Costanzo’s “All These Small Moments.” Carla (Molly Ringwald,...
“Insecure’s” Natasha Rothwell Signs Overall Deal with HBO
Another “Insecure” actress is strengthening her relationship with the network behind the Issa Rae-starrer. Best known for playing Kelli on the Peabody-winning comedy, Natasha Rothwell has...
Female Blockbuster Scribes Team Up to Launch Production Company to “Open Doors”
There are finally a handful of films by and about women in the superhero pipeline, and a team of writers are working to ensure that more are on the way. Lindsey Beer (“Chaos Walking”),...
“Jane the Virgin” Spinoff in Development at The CW
Friends, we could be getting more Jane Gloriana Villanueva — or at least more of her writing. According to Variety, a spinoff of “Jane the Virgin” is in the works at The CW. Not...