Editorial.
CATEGORIES: OPINIONS | REVIEWS | RECS | INTERVIEWS | FILMMAKING
Why I stopped writing for 347 days: Notes on Creativity, Motivation, and Unattainable Ambition
Does productivity culture kill creativity? Some notes on going back to your roots and discovering balance.
How ‘Gordita Chronicles’ Showcases the Heart and Art of Production Design | Interview with PD Amy Wheeler
Truth, wicker, and nostalgic carpet patterns – Gordita Chronicles production designer Amy Wheeler walks us through her Miami 1985 world building strategy.
“If we just hide it, just keep it to ourselves, it’s just going to fester.” | ‘Brother, I Cry’ Writer-Director Jessie Anthony on Using Cinema as a Tool for Healing
Filmmaker Jessie Anthony reflects on the powerful and emotional making of her directorial debut: Brother, I Cry
Review: I Am Belmaya | A Powerful Story of a Nepalese Woman’s Fight to Become a Filmmaker in a Patriarchal Society
Against the odds, Belmaya Nepali persists. Read our review of the inspiring documentary directed by Nepali and Sue Carpenter.
A Blood History of Storytelling: Indigenous Actress and Producer Sera-Lys McArthur Talks About Spiritual Rekindling, Cathartic Screaming, and Creating Change
The Canadian Nakota actress and producer shares her journey and talks about the art of crying, power of screaming, reconnecting with her ancestor’s language, and what needs to change for Indigenous representation.
Escaping Constraining Cinema Conventions | ‘Be Still’ Director Elizabeth Lazebnik On Women’s History, Surrealism, and Persistence
Writer-director of ‘Be Still’ digs into the making of her directorial debut and how she wanted to bring surrealist pioneer Hannah Maynard’s life story to the screen.
“Trauma Bonded” Creator Chloe Burns on Reclaiming the Narrative as a Survivor, Flawed Characters, and Rejecting the Tropes
“It’s like a vehicle for me to talk about it. But not in a way where I feel like I’m putting myself at risk—it’s a really safe space for me. And it has been really liberating to create it, to write it.”
Storytelling & Success | Acting Coach Samantha Stiglitz Reflects on the Audition Issue and Gives Advice to Emerging Actors
Hollywood acting coach and former casting director (“Pretty Little Liars”) gives Hollywood insight and gives four pieces of advice to auditioning actors!
“Representation Matters So Much” | Shay Revolver on Lost Careers, Stereotypes, Real Life Pain and Becoming the Change
“I also do it because I want my mom to, hopefully, before she goes—which hopefully isn’t for a long time—to see, Look mom, there’s a change – we don’t have to be maids anymore. We don’t have to do this anymore!”
“It’s a Catharsis” | Greek Figure Skater & Filmmaker Dimitra Korri Speaks on Directing Music Videos, Confidence, and Vulnerability
“If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing, I don’t know that I would still be here. So that’s my thing: I need to be able to go to my grave knowing I did everything possible to pursue this dream.”
A Window to the Unknown: ‘RBG’ and ‘JULIA’ Editor Carla Gutierrez Talks About the Power of Documentaries, Women’s History, and Building Community
Documentary editor Carla Gutierrez speaks on the emotional process of editing, career journey, and her work with BIPOC Documentary Editors.
“Beyond Safe and Onto Real.” | The Shift: Shay Revolver Confronts Female Vilification and the Palatable Representation of Black Women in Hollywood
Filmmaker Shay Revolver speaks on creating three dimensional female characters, breaking free from palatable representation of WOC, and bringing diversity to the table.
‘We want to explore our brash sexual nature, coming from a pregnant perspective.’ | ‘Oh, Baby!’ Filmmaking Duo Speaks on the Female Gaze and Refuting Societal Expectations
Writer-director Brooke Trantor and writer-actress Kate Morgan Chadwick talks all about their new film ‘Oh, Baby!’
How the American Horror Stories’ Production Designer Created a Modern World of Terror: Eve McCarney on Symbolism and Avoiding Tropes in the New Anthology Show
Production designer Eve McCarney speaks on her process behind creating the world of the new Ryan Murphy show: American Horror Stories.
“That fight night… it was just amazing.” | Alex Shipman on Shooting “Bam Bam”— a Doc About Her Mother’s Life as a Boxer
Documentarian Alex Shipman tells all about her upbringing and the making behind Bam Bam – a film about her boxing mother.
Spreading ED Awareness and Fighting Misconceptions: Abbie Jackson Speaks on the Making of Her Upcoming Film “Recovery”
Writer and actress Abbie Jackson speaks on changing the narrative of ED recovery through her upcoming short film: Recovery.
“The Art is Always Gonna Be There” | Filmmaker Natalie Rodriguez on How Covid has Changed Creativity
Excerpt from #47 | Filmmaker and mental health advocate Natalie Rodriguez speaks about creativity under the circumstance of the pandemic!
‘Ready or Not’ Costume Designer Avery Plewes on Blood, Feminism, and How to Amplify Stories with Clothing
Learn how the iconic transformational dress from the dark-comedy film Ready or Not was made!
Cinematographer Maria Rusche On How She Captured the Intimate and Claustrophobic Atmosphere of “Shiva Baby”
Learn how Maria Rusche shot the indie hit directed by Emma Seligman – from LEGO sets to temperature trackers.
Megan Fox and Jennifer’s Body: The Sacrificial Lamb and Possessive Entitlement of the Male Gaze
A look back on the parallels of how the industry treated Megan Fox and the storyline in Jennifer’s Body.
Community Highlights | Jaimi McPeek on Destigmatising OCD, Artistic Expression, and Her Upcoming Film ‘Flip of a Coin’
Meet the actress, dancer, and soon to be filmmaker who’s working to destigmatise mental illness!
Community Highlights | Production Student Ellie Davies on Finding Her Calling and Gaining Confidence in Directing
Meet the 16 year old film student from the U.K., dedicated to make a career for herself in the industry!
“I have terrible news, honey. I’m supposed to direct this movie.” | Rachel Winter on Epiphanies, Patience, and the ’90s.
#44 | Hollywood filmmaker Rachel Winter speaks about the 20-year making of her new film: The Space Between!
13 Feel Good Flicks With Great Representation You Have to Watch!
A collection of feel good flicks with great female, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation!
How Master of None Used Production Design as a Way of Storytelling | Interview with Production Designer Amy Williams
Emmy-winning Amy Williams talks all about the creation of Denise and Alicia’s home in Master of None S3: Moments in Love
Mariah Goolsby on Becoming the Main Character & the Power of Representation
Meet Mariah Goolsby, an actress and writer bringing her own story to the screen.
Community Highlights | Alyssa Thordarson on Empathy Through Film
Meet Alyssa Thordarson, an actress and filmmaker behind the upcoming film After: A Love Story.
Community Highlights | Vic Morel: “When you have a camera, you can make any sort of reality you want.”
Meet the 17-year-old aspiring filmmaker dedicated to challenge social norms through media.
Behind the Scenes: How Elan McAllister Coached Vanessa Kirby Through the Unforgettable Birth Scene in ‘Pieces of a Woman’
The movie’s birth consultant tells all about coaching Vanessa Kirby, consulting on the script, and being on set.
10 LGBTQ+ Movies with Women in the Lead, Directed by Women
Queer feminist movies to watch this Pride month!
We Are Lady Parts: An Unapologetically Joyful Comedy About Muslim Women in a Punk Band
Channel 4’s new sitcom about an all-girl all-Muslim punk band breaks down all the tired stereotypes.
Summer Spiro on Letting Go of Your Creative Insecurities
“I have to remind myself that other people’s humanism is what I love.” – Summer Spiro
Roxy Shih on Finding Your Calling and Preserving the Magic of Filmmaking
Written by Malin Evita Director Roxy Shih is this week’s guest on the Making It: Women in Film podcast. She sat down to share all of her incredible and honest insight into the industry; from hitting bumps in the road, to realistic budgeting and funding advice, this is an interview every new and aspiring filmmaker…
Top 5 Tips to Become a Successful Freelancer, Given to You By Successful Freelancer Nikki Petersen
Working for yourself is the dream for many, but how do you get started? How do you sustain it? Here are some must-know advice from industry professional, Nikki Petersen!
Hollywood & the Silencing of Women Over 40 | The Wise Man and the Crooked Hag
Women over 40 have so much more to say than two lines about motherhood, so why doesn’t the industry reflect that?
A Nihilistic Fresh Breath of Air — This is the Show You’ve Been Waiting For | Why Are You Like This Review
Chaotic, self-aware, and outrageously hilarious.
Filmmakers Jade Zaroff and Sarah Franco on Stories with Impact, Saving the Planet, and Self-aware Comedy
Happy Earth Day! Get to know the leads behind the eco-conscious comedy series Jade & Jaded.
Women in Fantasy Aren’t Your Fantasies | A Critique of the Male Gaze in Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies
Can we please put an end to the skimpy warrior outfits and high heels in sci-fi and fantasy movies?
Be the Change: Filmmaker Caris Rianne on the Male-Dominated Industry, Representation, and Her Film Festival ‘Women X’
Meet Caris: Filmmaker, founder, gamechanger.
March Wrap Up: New Indie Films, Saying Goodbye to Sitcoms, Women’s History Month, and more.
The good, the bad, and the great of film and series in March 2021.
Helping Young Women Find Their Voice Through Filmmaking | Interview with Global Girl Media UK’s Sue Carpenter
Sue Carpenter talks about the GGM UK Film Festival and how to empower young women and girls to find their voice and speak their truth through filmmaking
Women in Film Throughout History – Past and Present
Meet the women in film history your school books leave out.
An Ode to Resilience | Brooke Trantor on ED Recovery, Being Vulnerable, and Telling Personal Stories to Help Others
An open and vulnerable conversation on eating disorder recovery and using personal stories in film to help others.
What’s in a Name? How One Simple Mistake in POC Characterization Can Affect the Representation as a Whole
In a name, there is history, tradition, culture, and love, so why is it that Hollywood and other platforms of entertainment keep choosing the most generic, stereotypical, and easily pronounceable names for characters?
Finally, an Accurately Awkward Representation of Being 15 | Ginny & Georgia Review
Because teens don’t actually behave like adults, despite what movies & TV wants you to think.
Endometriosis Awareness with Ipek Ensari and Camille Hollett-French
“There is a very natural, organic, and necessary conversation that occurs between science and the art of filmmaking,” – Ipek Ensari
Self-Preservation Through Storytelling: Filmmaker Gretl Claggett Reflects on the Power of Art
“Being involved with theatre from an early age really saved my life.”
Representation in Romantic Movies – From Modern Classics to Hidden Gems
Romcoms and dramas with feminist, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ perspectives.
Six Years Later: How Director Chelsea Christer and Producer Erin Persley Made “Bleeding Audio”
The truth behind the process of documentary filmmaking.
Tia White on Cinema: “It is the closest we could get to sitting with our ancestors and having them tell us stories,”
What are the moments that make us fall in love with cinema?
Changing the Narrative: Mental Health Awareness in Film & Fiction | Statistics & Solutions
It is time to start telling truthful and nuanced stories.
10 International Films Directed by Women that You Have to Watch
Here are 10 fantastic “foreign-language” movies directed by women to put on your watch list. From South Korea to France!
I Was Wrong: ‘Cuties’ Sexually Exploits Children. And No—The Context Does Not Matter.
The new French “Award-Winning” Netflix film “Cuties” claims to be a commentary on the hypersexualisation of young girls, yet in it’s making it itself hypersexualises and exploits young girls.
I May Destroy You and the Hazards of Online Echo Chambers
Michaela Coel’s latest drama perfectly encapsulates the dangers of social media and activist pedestals.
Review: ‘I May Destroy You’ and its Groundbreaking Conversation around Trauma and Assault
From its incredibly complex characters to its discussions about consent and sexual assault, Michaela Coel’s newest creation is guaranteed to destroy you.
DISCLOSURE, J.K. Rowling, & Why the Narrative of Violent Trans Women in Pop-Culture Has to Change
With a lot of transphobia in the air (cough, Twitter), Netflix’s newest documentary ‘Disclosure’ exemplifies exactly why positive trans representation matters so tremendously.
5 Exciting Movies Coming in 2021, Directed by Women
I may not be John Krasinski, but I do have some good news.
Review: WW84 is an Utterly Incoherent, Regressive, and Queerbaiting Disappointment
The sequel to the often called revolutionary “Wonder Woman” (2017) is gonna leave you begging for the credits to start rolling.
Making It: Women in Film 