#Women Writers
Laura Dern & Issa Rae to Star in HBO Limited Series About Riots Caused by Cabbage Patch Kids
Laura Dern and Issa Rae are taking a real-life “Nightmare Before Christmas” story to the small screen. The respective stars of HBO’s “Big Little Lies” and...
Trailer Watch: Brie Larson Is a Noble Warrior Hero in “Captain Marvel”
Marvel universe fixture Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) provides a helpful primer on the two alien races at war in a new trailer for “Captain Marvel.” “Skrulls are the bad...
December 2018 Film Preview
By Antora Majumdar and Keno Katsuda If you’re hoping to hit the multiplex over the holidays, December’s film releases do not disappoint. With plenty of pics driven by complex female...
Debra Granik on “Leave No Trace” and How “The Script Interrogates You”
Interview by Zoë Elton Debra Granik’s “Leave No Trace” traverses the lives of a father and daughter who have been living off the grid for years in the woods outside Portland....
“The Favourite” Nabs Record 10 BIFA Awards, Continues to Reign Over the Box Office
“The Favourite” revolves around the manipulations and betrayals of Queen Anne’s court, but it’s inspiring a lot of love and loyalty from audiences and awards committees. The...
Lynne Ramsay Is Writing an “Epic” Environmental Horror Feature
It seems we won’t have to wait long for Lynne Ramsay’s next offering. She’s already written over 100 pages of a new screenplay, her follow-up to this year’s awards contender...
Weekly Update for November 30: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING Clara’s Ghost – Written and Directed by Bridey Elliott (Opens December 6) (Available on VOD December 7) Set over the course of a single evening in the Reynolds...
Awkwafina Receives Series Order From Comedy Central
Awkwafina’s meteoric rise continues. This year has seen the YouTube sensation star in “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Ocean’s Eight.” She also hosted “Saturday...
Trailer Watch: Katherine Waterston Investigates a Mysterious Death in “State Like Sleep”
“Peel back a layer and no one’s who they seem to be,” Michael Shannon says in the trailer for “State Like Sleep.” That’s what protagonist Katherine (Katherine...
Animated “Spider-Women” Film in the Works at Sony
Sony is bringing another women-driven “Spider-Man” universe story to the screen. Five months after the studio announced a “Silk” movie was in early development comes word of...
Kristen Stewart to Topline Clea DuVall Rom-Com “Happiest Season”
Clea DuVall’s next film has found its star. Kristen Stewart is in talks to join the TriStar Pictures LGBTQ romantic comedy, Deadline reports. “The Happiest Season” marks...
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” Sequel in Development
Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky’s love story is just beginning. Variety has confirmed that Netflix and Paramount’s Awesomeness Films are in discussions on a sequel for “To All the Boys...
Starz Gives Series Orders to Katori Hall’s “P-Valley” and Rebecca Cutter’s “Hightown”
Starz is finally moving forward with two long-in-development series from women. Variety reports the cable network has ordered Katori Hall’s strip-club-set “P-Valley” and Rebecca...
Emily Dickinson Comedy “Wild Nights with Emily” Acquired by Greenwich
Molly Shannon-starrer “Wild Nights with Emily” has secured distribution, Deadline confirms. The comedy inspired by Emily Dickinson landed at Greenwich Entertainment with plans for a...
Series About London’s First Female Detective in the Works at A+E Networks International
A+E Networks International’s first international, scripted co-production will be the story of a trailblazing woman. Screen Daily reports the company is developing “Miss Scarlet and the...
Weekly Update for November 21: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING The Favourite – Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara (Opens in NY and LA November 23) Set in the early 18th century, we take a closer look at the reign of Queen...
Reclaiming Our Experiences, Telling Our Stories: Crowdfunding Picks
When you take in the news today, what do you notice? Stories about women experiencing sexual assault, online harassment, body shaming, criticism for being too loud or not enough. Our culture is...
Writer to Watch: “The Little Drummer Girl’s” Claire Wilson
Persistence and playing the long game have been the secrets to UK screenwriter Claire Wilson’s success. The co-writer of new AMC/BBC One miniseries “The Little Drummer Girl” was in...
Gloria Ui Young Kim Filming Feature Debut, Mother-Daughter Drama “Queen of the Morning Calm”
Award-winning director Gloria Ui Young Kim has kicked off filming on her feature debut. A mother-daughter drama, “Queen of the Morning Calm” stars Tina Jung (“Kim’s...
Jasmin Mozaffari’s “Firecrackers” Goes to Good Deed Entertainment
“Firecrackers” will be set off in U.S. theaters. Jasmin Mozaffari’s feature debut has secured distribution stateside from Good Deed Entertainment, Deadline confirms. The female-led...
Trailer Watch: A Family Goes to War Over Drug Money in “Birds of Passage”
“Do you know why I’m respected? Because I’m capable of anything for my family and my clan,” a matriarch (Carmiña Martínez) explains in a new trailer for “Birds of...
“Rafiki” Filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu to Direct “Covers” for Working Title and Universal
Wanuri Kahiu is bringing another romantic tale to the big screen. The “Rafiki” director will helm “Covers,” a love story set in Los Angeles’ music scene, for Working...
Natalie Dormer Inks First-Look Deal with Fremantle
Natalie Dormer is re-teaming with Fremantle and taking her relationship with the production and distribution company to the next level. The “Game of Thrones” alumna has signed a...
Pamela B. Green’s Alice Guy-Blaché Doc “Be Natural” Secures Distribution
Audiences will soon be able to learn more about Alice Guy-Blaché, the first woman filmmaker. According to Deadline, Pamela B. Green’s documentary “Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice...
Marie Curie-Inspired Projects About Young Female Scientists in the Works
MIT Press and Einhorn’s Epic Productions (EEP) are teaming up to inspire future Marie Curies. Deadline reports a YA graphic novel titled “The Curie Society,” about an international...
Weekly Update for November 16: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING Widows – Written by Gillian Flynn and Steve McQueen Viola Davis leads “Widows,” a heist thriller about a group of women who share little in common besides the...
Study: Women Directors and Women Playwrights Reached New Highs Off Broadway in 2017-18
The League of Professional Theatre Women has released a new report on the status of women in Off Broadway theater. “Women Count: Women Hired Off Broadway,” written by Martha Wade...
2019 Indie Spirit Award Noms: Women Outnumber Men in Best Director Category
Women directors have been largely absent from the Best Director conversation in Oscar forecasts, but female filmmakers made a major impression on voters for the 34th annual Film Independent Spirit...
Trailer Watch: Frankie Shaw Tries on Different Identities in “SMILF” Season 2
Bridgette Bird has given up her fantasy of playing professional basketball, but it looks like she’s still pursuing acting in Season 2 of “SMILF.” Showtime has released a trailer for...
Eva Longoria Bastón to Make Feature Directorial Debut with Workplace Comedy
Best known for her role as Gabrielle Solis on “Desperate Housewives,” Eva Longoria Bastón has spent years building up an impressive resume behind the scenes. After making her TV...
The Outsiders: November’s VOD and Web Series Picks
“Just be yourself” is a line offered up as advice throughout all stages of a person’s life, especially when they’re growing up. The mantra is usually proposed when someone is nervous...
Lisa Donato’s Trans Drama “Gossamer Folds” Begins Production, Alexandra Grey Starring
Alexandra Grey broke our hearts as a struggling young trans woman on “Transparent,” and she’s poised to tell another emotional story in “Gossamer Folds.” The 1986-set...
Melissa V. Murray to Make Feature Debut with “We Real Cool,” Effie Brown Producing
“Dear White People” producer Effie Brown has lined up her next project. She’s set to produce Melissa V. Murray’s feature directorial debut, “We Real Cool.” AGC...
Daisy Haggard-Led Series About an Ex-Con Goes into Production for BBC Three
Daisy Haggard has her own show on the way. The wonderfully expressive “Episodes” actress co-wrote “Back to Life” and will play its lead, Variety reports. Already in...
Bad Robot Announces Films from Megan Amram, Lisa McQuillan, and More
Sitcom scribes Megan Amram and Lisa McQuillan are making the move to the big screen. “The Good Place,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Silicon Valley” are among the...
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s “Fleabag” to Make New York Debut
“Fleabag” is coming stateside. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s award-winning play is set to debut in New York, a press release announced. Written and performed by Waller-Bridge and directed...
Trailer Watch: Ruth Wilson Plays Her Grandmother in Masterpiece’s “Mrs. Wilson”
“You do know I’m entirely unsuitable for a young lady like you?” Alison’s (Ruth Wilson) future husband, intelligence agent and spy novelist Major Alec Wilson (Iain Glen,...
Amazon Orders Bilingual Rom-Com Pilot from Catalina Aguilar Mastretta
“Everybody Loves Somebody” writer-director Catalina Aguilar Mastretta has a romantic comedy in the works at Amazon Prime. The streamer has ordered a pilot for the untitled bilingual...
Trailer Watch: Danielle Macdonald Enters Jennifer Aniston’s Beauty Pageant in “Dumplin'”
Danielle Macdonald broke out as an aspiring rapper in 2017’s “Patti Cake$” and her next pic sees her taking on the world of Texas beauty pageants. Directed by Anne Fletcher...
Stephany Folsom to Pen Michelle Williams Abortion Drama “This Is Jane”
Another woman has joined “This Is Jane’s” creative team. According to Variety, “Toy Story 4” and Black List writer Stephany Folsom will pen the feature, about a pre-Roe...
“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Insecure,” and “SMILF” Among Recipients of ReFrame’s Inaugural TV Stamp
If you’re looking for a new series to watch — and want to avoid one that ignores the existence of women on-screen and behind the scenes — look no further. Variety reports that...
Marti Noxon Signs Multi-Year Overall Deal with Netflix
Marti Noxon’s landmark year — which saw her launching two zeitgeist-y shows, “Sharp Objects” and “Dietland” — just got better. Variety confirms the TV...
Vanessa Bayer Comedy “Big Deal” in the Works at Showtime
Another “Saturday Night Live” alumna has her own show in the works. Vanessa Bayer is set to topline “Big Deal,” a single camera comedy that she’s also credited as...
Trailer Watch: Karen Gillan Spirals Out of Control in “The Party’s Just Beginning”
“Sometimes it feels like the world’s gone deaf — I can’t tell if they can’t hear me or they’re ignoring me,” says Karen Gillan in the first trailer for her...
DOC NYC 2018 Women Directors: Meet Ofra Bloch – “Afterward”
Ofra Bloch is a filmmaker and psychoanalyst. She grew up in Israel, where her deep interest in the short and long-term effects of trauma originated. She has volunteered with Doctors of the World,...
Weekly Update for November 9: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING The Girl in the Spider’s Web “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” Computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy) and journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Sverrir Gudnason)...
Women’s Work: Crowdfunding Picks
In some places around the world, we are lucky enough to consider ourselves far off from the days when women had to argue for their right to contribute in male-dominated workplaces. However, this does...
Exclusive: A Mother and Daughter Argue About Islam in “Jinn” Clip
Once carefree, 17-year-old Summer (Zoe Renee, “The Quad”) finds herself struggling to cope when her mother Jade (Simone Missick, “Luke Cage”) converts to Islam....
Jocelyn Bioh on “School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play” & Its Exploration of Colorism
If you haven’t heard of Off-Broadway’s “School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play,” by Jocelyn Bioh, it is only a matter of time before you do. The play, directed by Tony...
Trailer Watch: A Child Sues His Parents in Nadine Labaki’s Cannes Winner “Capernaum”
An Oscar hopeful in the Best Foreign Language Film category, Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum” already took home the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival. A new trailer has dropped...
Allison Janney to Topline Anna Foerster Thriller “Lou”
Allison Janney is set to star in a dramatic thriller for Bad Robot. The Oscar and Emmy winner is teaming up with “Outlander” and “Jessica Jones” director Anna Foerster for...