Women Leading Change | Dr. Melony Samuels

Over 1 million New York City residents face food insecurity every day. But there are those among us who are dedicated to helping their neighbors overcome it. Last week we featured Evelyn Heilbron of Community Center Services Organization Corp (CCSO) and her work to  ensure everyone has food on their table at the end of each day. Today, we feature Dr. Melony Samuels of The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH).

Dr. Melony Samuels saw a need and felt compelled to act. After hearing of a woman in need, she and her husband packed some bags with groceries right away. This made her aware that the woman in need was not an isolated case. So, in 1998, she founded a small, traditional food pantry in a church basement.

With her business mindset, Dr. Samuels set to work. By 2005, she had created The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH). What started with a few bags of groceries now includes mobile pantries, which reach the South Bronx, the Rockaways, and all of Brooklyn, two robust Urban Agro-Ecological Centers, a social services office, a community kitchen and nutrition education hub, and a youth and leadership development program. Today, this nonprofit organization provides services to over 300,000 unique individuals each year.

During the Pandemic, the need for food was at an all-time high, but providers were closing out of fear. Dr. Samuels was afraid, too, but she held firm. With hundreds of people in line for food, she said, “I literally prayed and asked God, “Help me, I need a warehouse. I know it’s an impossible ask.”

Three days later, Broadway Stages offered her use of an 11,000-square-foot warehouse at 101st Street in Brooklyn. Using this space, TCAH built partners on the ground, took the food to partners, bought additional vehicles, and started moving food.

Dr. Samuels said, “It is just a natural thing for any human being to know someone is in need and to do something about it.” You can take action by helping TCAH help others throuh a donation or by volunteering. And since TCAH is very active in many communities, it would be good to keep an eye on their Instagram and Facebook pages, too.

As you can see, Broadway Stages is inspired by strong, passionate women like Evelyn Heilbron of Community Center Services Organization Corp (CCSO) and Dr. Melony Samuels of The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) and their fight against food insecurity. We strongly encourage you to fight this scourge in your community, too. Because of these women’s good work, you don’t have to start from scratch. Contact them. They will put your support to work right away. And when you do, tell them Broadway Stages sent you!

BAFTA Announces 2024 TV Nominations

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an independent arts charity that offers a year-round international program of workshops, masterclasses, lectures, scholarships, and mentoring in the United Kingdom, America, and Asia.

Each year, the organization honors the year's top films and television shows in separate ceremonies, much like the Oscars and Emmys in the United States. BAFTA just announced the shows in the running for this year's television awards, and the dramas "Happy Valley" and "Succession" lead in the major categories. "The Crown," "The Sixth Commandment," "Slow Horses," "The Last of Us," and an episode of "Black Mirror" called "Demon 79" also received a good deal of love from BAFTA.

The BBC One crime drama "Happy Valley," streaming on Netflix in the United States, has run for three seasons, with the first airing in 2014 and the second in 2016. Both six-episode seasons won the coveted Best Drama Series in their respective years. Fans had to wait nearly seven years for the third and final season, which faces tough competition this year at the BAFTAs. The series is also in the running in three acting categories and the Memorable Moment category.

Multiple American programs will compete in the International category, including Emmy favorites "The Bear," "Beef," "The Last of Us," and "Succession."

BAFTA will honor its TV Craft Award winners on April 28, and the main ceremony will be held on May 12, with comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan returning as hosts for the second year in a row. Congrats and best of luck to all nominees! See the full list here.

Spotlight | PANO

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these establishments and advancing local economic growth. For Women’s History Month, we are shining the spotlight on a few of the women-owned or oriented businesses and organizations in the neighborhoods where we work. This week, we want to share PANO. This network stands for and supports underrepresented women, non-binary, and gender nonconforming (GNC) creators in every aspect of the entertainment industry.

Cidney Hue is a writer-director in NYC who uses science fiction to build inclusive futures. In her work, she noticed that women were a minority in the entertainment industry, far out of proportion to their societal numbers. So, she took action.

“I was working at a commercial production company, and I felt like I wasn’t meeting enough women. And if I relied on just going on set and meeting that occasional one other or two other women, it would take me forever to meet a community of women that I wanted to work with. So I decided to host a little get-together. I ordered a few pizza pies, and that first time, 20 women showed up,” she said.

So, in 2015, she founded PANO (formerly NYC Women Filmmakers). The networking events grew as more women reached out to friends and colleagues. Today, the grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization network includes over 6,000 members and has hosted over 150 free events.

They advocate for including and amplifying underrepresented women, non-binary, and gender nonconforming (GNC) creators of all trades, experiences, and backgrounds. They do this by connecting members with influential networks, valuable resources, and career-changing opportunities to impact meaningful change in the industry.

Membership in the network has several benefits. As you might expect in a networking organization, mentoring is particularly attractive. But PANO takes a nontraditional approach to mentoring. They have done away with the mentor and mentee titles and opted for an accessible approach inspired by successful mentorships. PANO Pairs are mutually beneficial experiences where partners support each other equally in their endeavors.

Another resource available to members is The Cinematographer’s Lab. This multi-week program is designed to help working and emerging cinematographers. To make this happen, Pano has partnered with AbelCine, a leading provider of products and services to the production, broadcast, and new media industries.

As any creator knows, funding is essential. So, PANO offers cash grants to support projects or professional development. Every year, PANO distributes cash microgrants and in-kind grants to support underrepresented filmmakers and their projects.

PANO makes it easy for other creators to boost inclusion on their projects by hosting a robust job board. They give employers the ability to post part-time and full-time positions and members the ability to be aware of what is available. It’s free to join to post crew calls, casting calls, and job listings.

Finally, it only makes sense for PANO to host virtual and in-person socials, workshops, and screenings to connect, educate, and amplify their members in New York and worldwide. You can view their events and screenings page for more information on what’s up next.

If you want to connect with a community of thousands of filmmakers experiencing gender marginalization, including women, trans, and gender-expansive creators, Click here to join PANO. Or, if you want to support the cause, your financial support is welcome! While you are at it, Follow PANO on Instagram and Facebook because something great is always happening.

The Bechdel test (also known as the Bechdel-Wallace test) measures the representation of women in film and other fiction. It asks whether a work features at least two female characters who have a conversation about something other than a man. Broadway Stages looks forward to the day when such a test is unnecessary. As productions grow to become places of inclusion, that day is on the horizon. We are glad PANO is striving to bring us closer to that reality.

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Women's Stories Come to Life on Film | Part II

For Women's History Month, we are sharing the stories of real women who lived extraordinary lives, changed history, or made the world a better place. As a film and television production stage company, we naturally love to learn and share these stories via film. Earlier this month, we wrote about the lives of entertainers, writers, artists, athletes, and activists. Below are more acclaimed biopics about women, many of which are available to rent on streaming services.

"Big Eyes" (2014)

In the 1950s, artist Margaret Keane developed a signature painting style, depicting subjects with unusually large, prominent eyes. She produced more than 100 paintings in her lifetime, generating a good deal of commercial success. However, for more than a decade she received no recognition for her work. Her husband Walter claimed credit for her paintings and continuously lied to art critics and collectors for decades to keep up the charade.

Margaret and Walter divorced in 1965, and several years later she publicly announced that she was the true artist, not her ex-husband. Several lawsuits followed, and in 1986 a federal judge ordered Margaret and Walter to create an original painting on the spot in the courtroom to prove once and for all who the real artist was. It took less than an hour for Margaret to create a painting that became known as "Exhibit 224." Walter did not even attempt to produce a piece of art, claiming he was suffering from a shoulder injury.

Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz earned critical acclaim for their performances as Margaret and Walter in Tim Burton's "Big Eyes," and Adams ended up winning a Golden Globe while Waltz earned a nomination.

Learn about other female artists by watching: "Charlotte" (2021), "Woman Walks Ahead" (2017), "Maudie" (2016), "The Danish Girl" (2015), "Séraphine" (2008), "Frida" (2002), "Camille Claudel" (1988)

"Killers of the Flower Moon" (2023)

Mollie Burkhart (née Kyle) might not be a household name, but Martin Scorsese's award-winning film about the Osage Indian murders ensures that her story will never be forgotten.

In 1917, Kyle married Ernest Burkhart, the nephew of a local crime boss in Osage County, Oklahoma. Shortly after their union, many of her family members died under mysterious circumstances, and she narrowly survived a poisoning attempt. These deaths were actually calculated murders orchestrated by Burkhart's uncle to gain control of the victims' lucrative headrights, which entitled members of the Osage Nation to regular payments for the oil on their land.

Outraged, members of the Osage Nation petitioned the Bureau of Investigation (the predecessor to the FBI) to investigate, leading to prosecutions of the guilty parties. Their persistence led to real change, as Congress passed a law in 1925 barring the inheritance of Osage headrights to non-Osage people (with specific exclusions).

"Killers of the Flower Moon" earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Lily Gladstone, who won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.

Learn about other historical figures by watching: "Harriet" (2019), "Jackie" (2016), "Amelia" (2009), "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1959), "Calamity Jane" (1953), "Joan of Arc" (1948)

"Elizabeth" (1998) and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (2007)

Following the short reigns of her half-siblings Edward VI and Mary I, Queen Elizabeth I became the Queen of England in 1558 at the age of 25. The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn ruled England for 44 years, a time during which British culture flourished, particularly theater, poetry, and literature.

"Elizabeth" follows the early years of her reign, as she survived multiple attempts to usurp her throne and turned down several potential suitors in favor of her independence, earning her the nickname "The Virgin Queen." A sequel, 2007's "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," covers the later years of her reign.

The film earned seven Academy Awards nominations, including Best Picture. Cate Blanchett earned the first of her eight Oscar nominations for her performance in "Elizabeth," and she earned another nomination for the sequel.

Learn the stories of other royal women by watching: "Spencer" (2021), "A Royal Affair" (2012), "The Young Victoria" (2009), "The Queen" (2006), "Marie Antoinette" (2006), "The Lion in Winter" (1968), "Cleopatra" (1963), "Queen Christina" (1933)

"Joy" (2015)

In the late '80s, Joy Mangano found herself divorced, struggling to pay her bills, and sharing a Long Island home with her three young children, unemployed ex-husband, negligent mother, and grandmother.

Unfulfilled with her home life and job as an airline booking clerk, she decided to pursue her dreams of inventing, starting with a self-wringing mop that she designed. Mangano faced many challenges in securing funding, navigating patent laws, dealing with unscrupulous manufacturers and investors, and promoting her invention – the Miracle Mop.

Today, Mangano is a highly decorated business woman who recently partnered with Pitbull to create a new line of cleaning products called CleanBoss. She has sold around $3 billion in products and remains a regular fixture on HSN. Mangano served as an executive producer on the critically acclaimed film about her life, simply called "Joy." Jennifer Lawrence received an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe for portraying Mangano in the film.

Learn about other female entrepreneurs and inventors by watching: "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker" (2020) miniseries, "The Post" (2017), "Coco Before Chanel" (2009)

"Music of the Heart" (1999)

Violinist Roberta Guaspari spent decades working to keep music education taught in Harlem schools. She first came to Harlem in the early '80s and established a violin program at Central Park East School. She began holding concerts with her students, and her program grew over the decade to include several additional schools.

However, in 1991 New York City sought budget cuts for its public schools, and her program was dropped. That year, she co-founded her own school, the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music. To support music education, she organized a benefit concert called Fiddlefest with the help of former students and teachers. Several esteemed violinists enlisted top talent and booked Carnegie Hall for the event, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Meryl Streep learned to play the violin in order to accurately portray Guaspari in "Music of the Heart," earning her an Oscar nomination.

Learn about other inspirational educators: "Freedom Writers" (2007), "Anna and the King" (1999), "The Sound of Music" (1965), "The Miracle Worker" (1962)

"The Color Purple" Dominates the 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards

"The Color Purple" won 11 NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture, and Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) for director Blitz Bazawule. The musical also swept the costume, makeup, and hairstyling categories, won Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album, and earned additional awards for four of its stars – Fantasia Barrino (Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture), Taraji P. Henson (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture), Colman Domingo (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture), and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi (Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture).

Domingo was a double winner, also nabbing Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in "Rustin." Another double winner was Usher, who won Outstanding Male Artist and the night's top prize – Entertainer of the Year, beating out Barrino and Domingo.

In the television and streaming categories, ABC's "Abbott Elementary" won Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for Quinta Brunson, and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for William Stanford Davis. The drama winners were primarily split between Netflix's "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," which won Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for India Ria Amarteifio, and FX's "Snowfall," which won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Damson Idris and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Gail Bean.

Presented by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the NAACP Image Awards honors outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, literature, podcasts, and social media. "The Equalizer" star Queen Latifah hosted again for the second year in a row.

Congratulations to all winners! See the full list here.

Women Leading Change | Evelyn Heilbron

Over 1 million New York City residents face food insecurity every day. But there are those among us who are dedicated to helping their neighbors overcome it. Broadway Stages is happy to highlight women who passionately work to ensure everyone has food on their table at the end of each day. Today, we present Evelyn Heilbron of Community Center Services Organization Corp (CCSO).

Since 2020, Evelyn Heilbron has helped those in need. She started by handing out food and clothing on 34th Avenue with the help of the organization 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition. That is when she formed the nonprofit Community Center Services Organization Corp. CCSO offers support and services for the entire community without discrimination, including immigration, taxes, food distribution, and advice to disfranchised families and individuals.

In 2023, she opened the Corona Food Bank, located at 92-21 Corona Avenue in Elmhurst, New York. This 4,200 square foot facility serves as a food collection and distribution facility. The 12-month no-cost lease and facility modifications, valued at over $210K, were donated by Broadway Stages. Today, Heilbron and her 60 volunteers pass out up to 800 packages of non-perishables and fresh vegetables from the facility per week.

Our president, Gina Argento, said, “The CCSO represents the best of what our community can accomplish when we come together to help those in need. At Broadway Stages, we are always looking for ways to give back to our community and foster equitable growth. We are proud to support this initiative and are humbled by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.”

CCSO’s mission is to work endlessly until there are no more hungry families. You can help by donating at this link. Volunteers are also always needed. As Heilbron said, “Volunteering saves lives!” To volunteer, call CCSO at 332-228-8525 or email them at communitycsorg.c@gmail.com.

The Corona Food Bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can follow their good work on Instagram and Facebook.

Broadway Stages asks you to join us in supporting Evelyn Heilbron and the volunteers at Community Center Services Organization Corp so they can continue their fight. Together, we can make a difference! And check back next week when we highlight another local woman leading the fight against hunger, Dr. Melony Samuels of The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH).

Spotlight | Girl Be Heard

Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these establishments and advancing local economic growth. For Women’s History Month, we are shining the spotlight on a few of the women-owned or oriented businesses and organizations in the neighborhoods where we work. This week, we share Girl Be Heard, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit theater company and educational program.

Melinda Gates once said, “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” She very well could have been talking about Girl Be Heard (GBH). Their program is part-acting and part-activism. And while it is based in Brooklyn, they bring their mission and voice to communities via a traveling company and weekend and after-school programs.

GBH began with a spark. With only 300 dollars in the bank, Founding Artistic Director Ashley Marinaccio brought 12 young women to the stage at the EstroGenius Theater Festival in NYC in 2008. But that spark was fanned, and today, GBH is a renowned theatre company of 170 girls and a global movement. They regularly perform in underserved communities locally and globally but also engage audiences at the White House, United Nations, State Department, and TED conferences.

GBH’s nonprofit theatre company takes on global concepts women face, such as sex trafficking, forced child marriage, and gender-based violence. But it also gives voice to issues that girls care about most (such as bullying, body image, and self-harm).

The organization’s “Girl Power” puts its mission to work through workshops, after-school programming, global performances, and youth-led social justice movements. These platforms empower young women to become brave, socially conscious leaders. Their free year-round programming encompasses the following:

• The Artistic Company brings together 15-21-year-old performers who have honed their performing and leadership abilities and are ready to share their ARTIVIST voice.

• The Education Programs offer a creative, learning and community-building space for young women of color and gender-expansive youth. Together, they explore and define their personal and collective leadership, activist, and performance voice.

• GBH’s Special Projects use storytelling to raise critical consciousness, gain technical skills, and build community.

If you know a young woman ready to find their voice, you can share this referral link with them to get started. Likewise, if you want to volunteer, you can learn more here. And as a registered 501 c3 charity, your financial support is 100% tax deductible. You can make a gift here. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see what is happening next, or check out their YouTube channel to see them at work!

It is inspiring to hear international superstar Alicia Keys say, “I’m so proud to support Girl Be Heard because it builds future leaders through arts and storytelling. Art inspires people and reminds them how to get in touch with themselves.” But one participant may have said it better when she declared, “It feels so empowering to be there. I think the little exercises have a bigger lesson to it. If you really break it down, you can understand it.” She added, “We have such powerful voices.” It warms Broadway Stages’ heart to hear that. Their work at GirlsBeHeard can change the world, one girl at a time.

The Second City: Chicago Comedy Titans Bring It to Brooklyn

Brooklyn's vibrant cultural scene just got a whole lot funnier with the arrival of The Second City, the legendary comedy troupe that has birthed some of the biggest names in comedy. Earlier this year, The Second City kicked off its residency at a facility owned by one of Broadway Stages’ affiliates. The Second City converted the former record shop and club into a 200-seat mainstage, a 60-seat second stage, several classrooms where improv and comedy writing are taught, and a restaurant. But wait, there’s more! The Second City also offers creative professional development services via Second City Works that use the same methods pioneered on their stages to drive individual growth and organizational improvement.

For decades, The Second City has been synonymous with cutting-edge comedy. From the early days that saw the likes of Bill Murray and Tina Fey grace its stages to the current era that boasts talents like Keegan-Michael Key and Stephen Colbert, The Second City has consistently pushed boundaries and redefined the art of sketch comedy and improvisation. Audiences can expect nothing short of wild laughs and bold sketch comedy. From uproarious antics of seasoned performers or the fresh, innovative humor of rising stars, there's something for everyone at The Second City. And let's not forget their world-famous improvisation, where quick wit and on-the-spot creativity reign supreme, ensuring that no two shows are ever alike.

In a city known for its hustle and bustle, The Second City offers a welcome respite — a chance to laugh, create, and connect in the heart of Brooklyn. So, get your tickets, spread the word, and get ready to embark on a comedic journey like no other. The Second City has arrived, and they're here to make you laugh like never before! For information about tickets, the restaurant, classes and professional services, click here.

"Oppenheimer" Wins Seven Oscars Including Best Picture

Christopher Nolan's biopic about the father of the atomic bomb dominated award shows all season long, and Sunday was no different as "Oppenheimer" won the season's top prize – Best Picture at the 96th annual Academy Awards. The film entered the night with 13 nominations, just one fewer than the all-time record.

The cultural phenomenon "Barbenheimer" ruled the night, as the two films provided the most memorable and talked-about moments of the evening. "I'm Just Ken" may have lost the Oscar for Best Original Song to another tune from the "Barbie" soundtrack ("What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish), but Ryan Gosling's performance got everyone in the crowd on their feet singing along.

Nolan also pocketed the Best Director Oscar, and "Oppenheimer" stars Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. The film also won several artistic and technical awards – Best Score, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography.

Yorgos Lanthimos's "Poor Things" also had a good night, winning four awards including a surprising Best Actress trophy for Emma Stone. Stone previously won in this category for 2016's "La La Land." The dystopian retro-futuristic fantasy film also won Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Costume Design.

Most experts predicted that Best Actress would go to Lily Gladstone, the star of Martin Scorsese's crime drama "Killers of the Flower Moon." Instead, the film about the murders of members of the Osage community in the 1920s was shut out despite 10 nominations.

Several newcomers also took home prizes. Cord Jefferson won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his first-ever film, "American Fiction," which was also nominated for five awards including Best Picture. Da'Vine Joy Randolph won the prize for Best Supporting Actress for her breakout performance as a grieving mother in Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers."

French filmmakers Justine Triet and Arthur Harari earned their first-ever Oscar nominations and wins for their work on the courtroom drama "Anatomy of a Fall," earning trophies for Best Original Screenplay. Triet was also nominated for Best Director.

Additionally, a Ukrainian filmmaker took home an Oscar, the first in the nation's history. Associated Press war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov won for Best Documentary Feature for the film "20 Days in Mariupol," which tells the story of the nearly three weeks that he and his colleagues spent in the besieged city of Mariupol at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Chernov stated that he wished he had never made the film and that he could exchange the prize for Russia never attacking Ukraine or occupying its cities.

Congratulations to everyone. See the full list of winners here.

The Women Behind Three Local Film Festivals

While the number of women in film production has been inching upward, the number is still drastically disproportionate to society. Film festivals provide a unique opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to connect with industry professionals, fellow creators, and potential collaborators. Film festivals play a vital role in fostering new storytellers. So, the role of “gatekeeper” is pivotal. That is why we are proud to highlight a few enterprising women and the film festivals they founded.

Kweighbaye Kotee

Kweighbaye Kotee is the founder and CEO of the Bushwick Film Festival. Born in Liberia, West Africa, she moved to the U.S. during the Liberian civil war. In 2007, while studying Media, Culture, and Communications at NYU, she started the festival. Her desire was to share her love for indie film with others in the neighborhood and celebrate filmmakers. Also, she wanted to use the festival as a platform to help diversify the industry and connect people of all backgrounds through film.

She said, “The arts, for me, are one of the best ways to bring people together and build a community with people that you otherwise would think are different than you.”

Ingrid & Sonia Jean-Baptiste

The Chelsea Film Festival (CFF) was founded by Sonia Jean-Baptiste and her daughter, Ingrid Jean-Baptiste. The festival was born out of hardship. Just after Ingrid graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, she was in a car accident that left her in a coma with a fractured spine. She said, “I like to use this phrase in moments of doubt or difficulty: ‘Gam Zou Letova,’ meaning ‘This too is for the best.’ Every challenging moment you find yourself into is for the best. It helps me remain optimistic about the future.” 

In her time of healing, she had the idea to start the CFF in October of 2013 to discover upcoming talents by raising awareness about American and foreign independent films. Today, it is an international event with 100+ films every year. In 2019, it was voted one of North America’s Top 10 Best Film Festivals.

Roxy Hunt & shannon Walker

The Lower East Side Film Festival (LESFF) started in 2011 when filmmakers Shannon Walker and Damon Cardasis needed help finding a platform for films made on a low budget. Together with their friend Roxy Hunt and her husband Tony Castle (co-founders of BFD Productions), they came up with the idea for the LESFF. It started as a pop-up space in a little storefront with 30 folding chairs, a pull-down projector screen, and a popcorn machine in the back.

Roxy Hunt said, “It’s just important to have all different kinds of voices making the thing that you see on the screen so that you can potentially see a piece of yourself somewhere because when you see something that is relevant to you and feels like your story, you feel like you’re not alone. If there are more women who can tell stories that help other women feel less alone, that’s awesome.”

Broadway Stages loves that there are more women artists in cinema and that there are great outlets like these film festivals for their work to be seen. The TV and Film industry is on the path of inclusion and representation. And because of motivated women like Kweighbaye Kotee, Sonia and Ingrid Jean-Baptiste, Shannon Walker, and Roxy Hunt, the future is bright.

Inside Broadway Stages | What's Filming

We are thrilled to share updates on the productions that call Broadway Stages home and play a significant role in bolstering New York's film and television industry. This year is shaping up to be a good one for the industry and Broadway Stages, as several productions will be back filming new seasons at our facilities in the coming months. Read on to find out more about what's happening.

"Ripley" Coming to Netflix in April

The highly anticipated small-screen adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 psychological thriller "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is coming to Netflix on April 4. Broadway Stages was ecstatic to help the production titled "Ripley" refilm several important scenes at our facilities to ensure a flawless finished product.

The popular novel has served as the basis for several big screen adaptations, including Anthony Minghella's well-received 1999 film starring Matt Damon as the smooth conman Tom Ripley, Gwyneth Paltrow as the rich American expat Marge Sherwood, and Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf, the spoiled yet charismatic son of a shipping magnate.

Andrew Scott, who earned rave reviews in the critically acclaimed film "All of Us Strangers," will portray the title character, while Dakota Fanning and Johnny Flynn will play his unsuspecting victims. Steven Zaillian, who won an Oscar for writing "Schindler's List" and co-created HBO's gritty Emmy-winning limited series "The Night Of," will write and direct all eight episodes.

While much of the story centers on the characters' time jet setting across Italy, Ripley's story begins in New York, which is where Broadway Stages comes in. We can't wait to see the latest adaptation of Highsmith's novel when all eight episodes of "Ripley" drop on Netflix on April 4.

"The Girls on the Bus" Rolling Onto Max on March 14

We are so excited that another new series filmed at our facilities will debut soon! The first two episodes of the political drama "The Girls on the Bus" will hit Max on March 14, followed by a new episode each week through May 9. The series draws inspiration from New York Times journalist Amy Chozick's 2018 book "Chasing Hillary," which chronicles her eight years spent reporting on Hillary Clinton's multiple presidential campaigns.

Melissa Benoist ("Supergirl") stars as Sadie McCarthy, a young writer who seeks to cover a presidential campaign like the reporters in Tim Crouse's 1973 non-fiction book "The Boys on the Bus." Carla Gugino ("The Haunting of Hill House"), Natasha Behnam ("Blake & Emily Get Famous"), and Christina Elmore ("Insecure") play three fellow journalists that McCarthy befriends on the campaign trail. Scott Foley ("Scandal"), Brandon Scott ("Dead to Me"), Mark Consuelos ("Riverdale"), Griffin Dunne ("This Is Us"), Leslie Fray ("Reacher"), and Tala Ashe ("DC's Legends of Tomorrow") will also have recurring roles on the show.

Election season begins March 14 on Max!

Critics Embrace "The Good Wife" Spin-off "Elsbeth"

Carrie Preston portrayed the quirky attorney Elsbeth Tascioni on both "The Good Wife" and its spin-off "The Good Fight" for a combined 13 seasons, and Broadway Stages was there for all of it. We are so excited that series creators Michelle and Robert King stuck with us for "Elsbeth," the latest addition to the franchise.

We are so pleased that the series, which debuted last month, has received plenty of positive attention from the press, including a writeup in The New York Times and great reviews in The Hollywood Reporter, The Washington Post, Variety, and NPR's "Fresh Air."

Additionally, "Elsbeth" drew high ratings, raising viewership by 45% from the show in the same time slot a year ago ("CSI: Vegas"). It also topped the combined numbers of its NBC and ABC time slot competitors.

The new CBS series follows Tascioni as she leaves her legal career for a new investigative role working with NYPD Captain C.W. Wagner (Wendell Pierce) and Officer Kaya Blanke (Carra Patterson). Gloria Reuben ("The Equalizer") plays Wagner's wife in a recurring role, and guest stars include Jane Krakowski ("30 Rock"), Linda Lavin ("Alice"), Retta ("Parks and Recreation"), and Blair Underwood ("L.A. Law").

Preston recently appeared on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" to talk about the series and share some treats with the late-night talk show host.

We are so happy for Preston and the rest of the cast and crew and hope that "Elsbeth" finds as much success as its predecessors.

"Girls5Eva" Moving to Netflix on March 14

"Girls5Eva," a critically acclaimed comedy about a once popular '90s girl group attempting a comeback, ran for two seasons on Peacock then was canceled. Peacock's loss was Netflix's gain, as the show will return for its third season on a new network this week.

Created by Meredith Scardino and executive produced by Tina Fey, "Girls5eva" stars Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Paula Pell, and Busy Philipps as the girls (now grown women) hoping for another chance to make it big in the music industry.

When we last saw the girls in June of 2022, they were receiving devastating news from the "Property Brothers," Drew and Jonathan Scott. The girls had landed a deal with Property Records, the brothers' fictional label, earlier in the season, but in the finale they learned that they would not be opening for a hit group on its upcoming tour.

Following a skirmish between Gloria (Pell) and Drew in a newly renovated kitchen, the girls discover that one of their songs has gone viral, and they decide to fund their own tour. Fans have had to wait nearly two years to find out how the tour went, and now the wait is nearly over.

Be sure to log in to Netflix on March 14 when the first two seasons will become available to stream, and all six episodes of the new season will drop.

Disney+ Renews "Goosebumps" for a Second Season

"Goosebumps" will have an eight-episode second season, which will feature an entirely new cast and setting as the series adopts an anthology format reminiscent of "American Horror Story" and "True Detective." We are excited to provide facilities for the upcoming season of the spooky series based on R.L. Stine's popular teen horror book series of the same name.

Disney+ reports that the new season will revolve around teenage siblings who discover a threat within their home, setting off a chain of events that unravel a profound mystery. As they delve into the unknown, the duo find themselves entangled in the story of five teenagers who mysteriously vanished in 1994.

We will report updates when we find out more such as who will be joining the cast and when new episodes will be streaming.

Limited Series "Long Bright River" Adds Cast Members

Amanda Seyfried ("The Dropout") will executive produce and star in an adaptation of Liz Moore's New York Times bestseller "Long Bright River," which will stream on Peacock. The book centers on a police officer who patrols a Philadelphia neighborhood hard-hit by the opioid crisis. After a series of murders in the neighborhood, she realizes that her personal history might be tied to the case.

Starring alongside Seyfried will be Nicholas Pinnock ("The Book of Clarence") as her former partner Truman Dawes. Ashleigh Cummings ("Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries"), Callum Vinson ("Chucky"), and John Doman ("The Wire") recently joined the production in undisclosed roles.

Be sure to check out all of the productions above as they become available, follow our blog, and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed of updates on all of our productions.