the week in women – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

WEEK IN WOMEN: Ellen Burstyn receives Golden Lion at Venice Film Fest – Brandy McDonnell reports

August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Alberto Barbera, Ellen Burstyn, Golden Lion, lifetime achievement, the week in women, twiw, Venice International Film Festival

Oscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn will be awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, set to take place September 2-12. The Golden Lion will be awarded to Burstyn in conjunction with the festival’s screening of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s short film Flesh Impact. Dedicated to Marilyn Monroe on the centenary of her birth, the film features yet another extraordinary performance by the actress. “Wow! I not only get to travel to one of my top most favorite cities in the whole world. I get to return home carrying a Golden Lion in my arms! The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Venice Film Festival! I feel so honored— so happy — so filled with gratitude! Wow indeed!” Burstyn said.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Agnieszka Holland’s FRANZ opens in US Cinemas – Brandy McDonnell reports

August 16, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Agnieszka Holland, biopic, FRANZ, Franz Kafka, the week in women, twiw

Agnieszka Holland’s Franz, a portrait of legendary writer Franz Kafka, who remains celebrated worldwide for his books, short stories, fables and aphorisms, is bowing in theaters on Aug. 21. Billed as Holland’s most ambitious project to date, her biopic of the iconic 20th-century Czech writer had its world premiere last year at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. It was nominated for a Golden Seashell at the 2025 San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain, and it became Poland’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards. For six decades, Holland has remained one of the most compelling filmmakers in global cinema.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Sheryl J. Anderson’s SWEET MAGNOLIAS Season 5 on NETFLIX

June 4, 2026June 6, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Brooke Elliott, disney, Heather Headley, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, lifetime, nbc, netflix, Sherryl Woods, Sweet Magnolias, SyFy, the week in women, Ties That Bind, twiw, UPtv

Sheryl J. Anderson is the creator, showrunner and executive producer for the hit series Sweet Magnolias, which is heading to New York City for its highly anticipated Season 5 on Netflix. Based on the popular book series by New York Times best-selling author Sherryl Woods, Sweet Magnolias follows three lifelong best friends as they juggle relationships, family and careers in the charming small town of Serenity, South Carolina. The fan-favorite “comfort drama” continuously ranks among Netflix’s Global Top 10 list in more than 60 countries.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Regina King is American Black Film Fest Ambassador – Brandy McDonnell reports

May 24, 2026May 24, 2026 Brandy McDonnell ABFF, Acapulco Black Film Festival, American Black Film Festival, Jeff Friday, regina king, the week in women, twiw

Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-winning actor, director and producer Regina King is serving as ambassador for the 30th annual American Black Film Festival. In her ambassadorial role, King is helping to champion the festival’s mission to showcase groundbreaking storytelling, elevate emerging talent and empower the next generation of artists to thrive across film and television. The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is one of the premier annual events dedicated to uplifting emerging talent and showcasing film and TV content by and about people of African descent. Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the festival was conceived to strengthen the independent film community through resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Ann-Margret to be honored at Chita Rivera Awards – Brandy McDonnell reports

April 29, 2026May 3, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Ann-Margret, Chita Rivera Awards, Joe Lanteri, New York City Dance Alliance Foundation, the week in women, twiw

Stage and screen icon Ann-Margret will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Chita Rivera Awards, which promote and recognize dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in film. One of Hollywood’s most celebrated and versatile stars, Ann-Margret has won five Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. A dynamic force in film, television, music and live performance, she also has earned two Academy Award nominations, for best supporting actress in 1972 for Carnal Knowledge and best actress in 1976 for Tommy.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Olivia Newman’s REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES debutes on Netflix – Brandy McDonnell reports

April 16, 2026April 12, 2026 Brandy McDonnell netflix, olivia newman, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Sally Field, Shelby Van Pelt, the week in women, twiw

Olivia Newman’s star-studded adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures will debut May 8 on Netflix. The novel, which became commonly known as “that octopus book” spent more than 64 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Sally Field stars as a widow who works at a local aquarium and finds joy again when she forms an unlikely bond with a giant Pacific octopus. Olivia Newman is an award-winning writer-director whose films have screened at festivals internationally, including the New York Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest and Vancouver International Film Festival, among others.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Debbie Horsfield’s THE FORSYTES comes to MASTERPIECE on PBS – Brandy McDonnell reports

March 13, 2026March 20, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Danny Griffin, Debbie Horsfield, Eleanor Tomlinson, Francesca Annis, Jack Davenport, Jamie Flatters, John Galsworthy, Josette Simon, Joshua Orpin, Masterpiece, Millie Gibson, Owen Igiehon, pbs, Stephen Moyer, Susan Hampshire, The Forsytes, the week in women, Tom Durant Pritchard, Tuppence Middleton, twiw

Two-time BAFTA nominee Debbie Horsfield’s “The Forsytes, a new reimagining of John Galsworthy’s Forsyte is coming to “Masterpiece” on PBS. The first season of six episodes, all penned by Horsfield, follows the lives of the wealthy Forsyte family in 1880s London and is based on Galsworthy’s Nobel Prize-winning tale of love, loyalty, ambition and betrayal. The U.S. premiere of The Forsytes” is set for 9 p.m. Eastern Time/8 p.m. Central Time Sunday, March 22, only on “Masterpiece” on PBS.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Moss, Washington & Mara in IMPERFECT WOMEN – Brandy McDonnell reports

March 2, 2026March 6, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Apple TV+, elisabeth moss, Imperfect Women, kate mara, kerry washington, the week in women, twiw

Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara star in Imperfect Women, which has its global debut on March 18 on Apple TV. The new psychological thriller is created by Annie Weisman, who previously worked on the acclaimed series Physical for the streamer. Imperfect Women is executive produced by Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington. Apple TV presents two episodes on March 18, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through April 29.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: WHO IN THE HELL IS REGINA JONES? on TV for Black History Month – Brandy McDonnell reports

February 6, 2026February 8, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Billy Miossi, black history month, documentary, Soraya Sélène, soul newspaper, the week in women, twiw, Weigel Broadcasting, Who in the Hell Is Regina Jones?

The award-winning documentary Who in the Hell Is Regina Jones? will have its national broadcast premiere to mark Black History Month. Billed as a first-of-its-kind multi-network entertainment event, the biodoc’s “roadblock” presentation is on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET across Weigel Broadcasting’s three networks, making it widely available to viewers. The film turns a lens on Regina Jones’ remarkable journey: the invisible labor, turmoil, struggle and joy of a modern-day Black woman, who emerged as publisher and founder of the groundbreaking SOUL newspaper, a nationwide platform where Black artists could get coverage long before other publications entered the arena.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Michelle Yeoh receives honorary Golden Bear at 2026 Berlinale – Brandy McDonnell reports

January 28, 2026January 31, 2026 Brandy McDonnell 2026 Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival, golden bear, Michelle Yeoh, the week in women, Tricia Tuttle, twiw

The Berlin International Film Festival will award the 2026 Honorary Golden Bear to Academy Award–winning actress Michelle Yeoh in recognition of her outstanding achievements in film and cinema. The 76th Berlin International Film Festival is set for Feb. 12-22 in Germany. Yeoh will be honored at the Opening Ceremony Feb. 12 at the Berlinale Palast. With a career spanning four decades and multiple continents, Yeoh is considered one of the most versatile and influential actresses of her generation, having made a lasting impact on international cinema.

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