FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
Troop Zero – Directed by Bert & Bertie; Written by Lucy Alibar (Available on Amazon Prime)
Nine-year-old oddball Christmas Flint (Mckenna Grace) is obsessed with space and making contact with the aliens of the universe. When she finds out the prize at the 1977 Birdie Jamboree is getting her voice on NASA’s Golden Record, Christmas forms her own misfit Birdie troop. Nothing can prepare them for the painfully perfect world of the legit Birdies. But, led by their reluctant yet fearless troop mama (Viola Davis) and Christmas’ dad (Jim Gaffigan), they find glory in the most unexpected circumstances — much to the despair of the ever-judgmental school principal, Miss Massey (Allison Janney).
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Bert & Bertie.
A Fall From Grace (Available on Netflix)
Disheartened since her ex-husband’s affair, Grace Waters (Crystal Fox) is restored by a new romance. But when secrets surface, Grace’s vulnerable side turns violent. “A Fall From Grace” co-stars Phylicia Rashad, Bresha Webb, Mehcad Brooks, Cicely Tyson, and Tyler Perry.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
The Host – Written by Finola Geraghty, Brendan Bishop, and Laurence Lamers (Also Available on VOD)
A chance opportunity arises for Robert Atkinson (Mike Beckingham), a London banker who risks his banks money to leave the mundane behind and start a new life. To take advantage, he unwittingly signs up with a Chinese cartel to transport a briefcase to Amsterdam. But all is not as it seems in a city veiled by dark secrets. Fueled by power players, drugs, seduction, and violence, Robert awaits his turn in a deadly game of choice and consequence.
Intrigo: Death of an Author – Written by Birgitta Bongenhielm and Daniel Alfredson (Also Available on VOD)
After an author named David (Benno Fürmann) plots the seemingly accidental murder of his wife, her body is never recovered, and he’s convinced that she’s still alive. Meanwhile, as David translates the final novel by a writer who also died mysteriously, he finds himself attracted to the man’s sultry widow. Fact or fiction, life or death — in this tale, nothing is certain.
TV PREMIERES
Diary of a Future President – Created by Ilana Peña (Premieres January 17 on Disney+)
“Diary of a Future President”
Told from the narration of her diary, “Diary of a Future President” follows Elena (Tess Romero), a Cuban-American 12-year-old girl, as she navigates the ups and downs of middle school and begins her journey to become the future president of the United States.
Little America – Developed by Emily Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani, and Lee Eisenberg (Premieres January 17 on Apple TV+)
“Little America”: Apple TV+
Inspired by the true stories featured in Epic Magazine, “Little America” will go beyond the headlines to look at the funny, romantic, heartfelt, inspiring, and surprising stories of immigrants in America, when they’re more relevant now than ever.
Ares – Created by Iris Otten, Pieter Kuijpers, and Sander van Meurs (Premieres January 17 on Netflix)
Aiming to become part of Amsterdam’s elite, an ambitious college student joins an exclusive society, unaware it’s hiding a horrifying secret.
Rob Delaney: Jackie (Comedy Special) – Directed by Barbara Wiltshire (Premieres January 17 on Amazon Prime)
Critically acclaimed American comic, and co-creator and star of “Catastrophe,” Rob Delaney unpacks the horror and the joys of his life in London: swimming in tea, getting scammed, being a father and a husband, the monarchy, the rise of the sexbots, and the disappearance of his friend Jackie.
Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story (TV Movie) – Written by Michele Samit and Richard Kletter (Premieres January 18 on Lifetime)
“Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story”
In the summer of 1998, Gloria Williams (Niecy Nash), reeling from a recent miscarriage, walked into a Jacksonville, Florida, hospital posing as a nurse and took newborn Kamiyah Mobley (Rayven Ferrell) out of her mother’s arms. Renaming the baby Alexis, Gloria raised her as her own, providing her with unconditional love and nurturing. It wasn’t until years later, when Alexis applied for her first job and couldn’t provide a social security card or a birth certificate, that she realized something was wrong. As questions mounted, Gloria was forced to tell Alexis the truth. Despite discovering the mother she knew was really her kidnapper, Alexis kept the secret as long as she could, until an anonymous tip soon led to Gloria’s arrest and their world came tumbling down.
Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty (Comedy Special) – Directed by Krysia Plonka (Premieres January 21 on Netflix)
In her first full length stand-up special, Fortune Feimster talks about her childhood misadventures as a former Girl Scout, debutante, and (disqualified) swim meet champion.
Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens – Created by Awkwafina and Teresa Hsiao (Premieres January 22 on Comedy Central)
“Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens”: Zach Dilgard
Creator, writer, and Golden Globe-winner Awkwafina stars in this half-hour scripted comedy inspired by her real life growing up in Queens, NY. Raised by her dad (BD Wong) and grandma (Lori Tan Chinn) alongside her cousin (Bowen Yang), Nora Lin leans on her family as she navigates life and young adulthood in outer borough-NYC.
The Ghost Bride (Premieres January 23 on Netflix)
In 1890s Malacca, Li Lan finds herself in the afterlife and becomes mired in a mystery linked to the sinister, deceased son of a wealthy family.
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“Black and Blue”
The Addams Family – Written by Pamela Pettler and Matt Lieberman (VOD, January 21)
Black and Blue (VOD, January 21)
Countdown (VOD, January 21)
WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD IN THE NEWS
Oscars 2020: Why do ‘male tales’ tend to win awards? (BBC)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG
Ashley Williams
Guest Post: Tired of Playing the Replaceable Wife, I Decided to Pursue Directing
Women Directed or Co-Directed 70 Percent of SXSW’s 2020 Competition Titles
Cate Blanchett Will Be Jury President at 2020 Venice Film Festival
Lulu Wang, Céline Sciamma, and More Women Directors Spotlighted by Alice Initiative
2020 Athena Film Fest to Open with “I Am Woman” and Close with “Rocks”
“Fleabag,” “GLOW,” “When They See Us,” and More Receive ReFrame’s TV Stamp
2020 Oscar Noms: Women Shut Out of Directing Race (Yet Again) But Clean Up in Doc Category
Amy Sherman-Palladino, Nicole Kassell, and Linda Mendoza Snag DGA Award Noms
Apply Now: 2020 Writers Lab for Women Screenwriters Over 40
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
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