twiw – 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: Georgia Oakley’s new take on SENSE AND SENSIBILITY – Brandy McDonnell reports

August 9, 2026August 9, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Diana Reid, focus features, Georgia Oakley, jane austen, twiw, Universal Pictures International (UPI), week in women, Working Title

Writer-director Georgia Oakley’s new screen adaptation of iconic English writer Jane Austen’s first novel will bow in movie theaters in fall, released by Focus Features, Universal Pictures International (UPI) and Working Title in U.S. theaters on Oct. 16. Oakley is following up on her award winning Blue Jean (2022), directing from a script by bestselling author Diana Reid. Filming started last summer in the United Kingdom. Focus has worldwide rights on the movie, and UPI will handle international distribution for the studio. The film was initially scheduled for a September theatrical release in the United States.

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WEEK IN WOMEN: Lisa Cholodenko’s HIGH ART gets Criterion Collection Blu-ray – Brandy McDonnell reports

June 19, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Ally Sheedy, blu-ray, criterion collection, High Art, lgbtq, lisa cholodenko, patricia clarkson, Radha Mitchell, twiw, week in women

Lisa Cholodenko’s acclaimed 1998 debut feature High Art is getting a Blu-ray release this month via The Criterion Collection. The queer romantic drama follows Lucy Berliner (Ally Sheedy), a once-prominent photographer who has retreated into a life of heroin abuse with her faded-actress lover (Patricia Clarkson). When Lucy is rediscovered by Syd (Radha Mitchell), an up-and-coming editor at a photography magazine, professional ambition and personal attraction become dangerously entwined. Cholodenko was still a student in Columbia University’s master of fine arts film program when she wrote High Art, which won numerous awards.

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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: Barbra Streisand receives Honorary Palme D’or at Cannes 2026 – Brandy McDonnell reports

May 21, 2026May 24, 2026 Brandy McDonnell barbra streisand, Cannes 2026, Honorary Palme D'or, twiw, week in women

In recognition of her career, world-renowned actress, director, producer, screenwriter, singer and songwriter Barbra Streisand will receive an Honorary Palme d’or during the Cannes Film Festival Awards Ceremony, to be broadcast live May 23 from the Palais des Festivals stage. However due to a knee injury, she won’t be able to attend the Festival Awards Ceremony to be honored in person.

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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: Fanning, Pfeiffer & Kidman land MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES at Apple TV – Brandy McDonnell reports

April 7, 2026April 9, 2026 Brandy McDonnell Apple TV+, elle fanning, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, michelle pfeiffer, nicole kidman, twiw, week in women

Starring and executive produced by Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Elle Fanning and Academy Award and Emmy nominee Michelle Pfeiffer, the highly anticipated series Margo’s Got Money Troubles, is coming to Apple TV in April. Margo’s Got Money Troubles is billed as a bold, heartwarming and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooter’s waitress (Pfeiffer) and ex-pro wrestler (Offerman), as she’s forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them.

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