This episode is a deep dive into the hit show Little Fires Everywhere. Based on the novel by Celeste Ng, it’s the gripping story of artist Mia (Kerry Washington), who upsets the suburban life of controlling mother Elena (Reese Witherspoon).

US journalist Valerie Complex and British broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon join Anna to explore the show’s themes including privilege, racism, microaggressions, adoption and abortion. Avoiding major spoilers, they share their favourite moments from the series and pay tribute to the late, great director Lynn Shelton. They also bond over their love of classic British sitcoms. Little Fires Everywhere Season 1 is on Amazon Prime Video now.

It’s Pride season!

And we’re bringing you a packed Pride special. Actress and vocal LGBTQ+ advocate Bella Thorne joins Anna to talk pansexuality, love and support in the queer community, and the power of social media to make real social change. She also unpacks her starring role in Bonnie & Clyde-style crime thriller Infamous, as well as quirky college comedy The Duff.

Plus, guest critic and Dr of Film Becca Harrison drops in to review three brilliant queer films you can stream for a Pride celebration on your sofa: bittersweet political Brit-flick Pride, Todd Haynes’ Oscar-nominated lesbian love story Carol, and recent Girls On Film guest Desiree Akhavan’s bisexual comedy drama Appropriate Behaviour.

Young Irish actor Lola Petticrew (A Bump Along The Way) joins Anna to chat about her new comedy Dating Amber, directed by David Freyne. She plays Amber, a lesbian schoolgirl who pretends to date Eddie (Fionn O’Shea – Normal People) so the pair can pose as straight. As Eddie struggles with his sexual identity, he and Amber grow closer. Lola talks frankly about the film, her friendship with her co-star and her own journey to coming out as queer. Carrie Lyell, the editor of DIVA magazine, is our guest reviewer and discusses Dating Amber with Anna. The two critics also revisit the 1999 film But I’m A Cheerleader, a comedy set in a gay conversion camp and starring Natasha Lyonne. They also pay tribute to Girls On Film favourite Booksmart.

Empire film critic Helen O’Hara and broadcaster Wendy Lloyd take a deep dive into Greta Gerwig’s Little Women in this uplifting episode celebrating the joys of the award-winning classic.

Along with host Anna Smith, they take a look at the themes, the performances and the enduring feminist message, examining Gerwig’s clever use of structure and time.

The critics also review the new thriller Ema, Michelle Obama doc Becoming, the Netflix film Carrie Pilby and the Margot Robbie starrer Birds of Prey, all available to watch now at home.

Inspired by real-life stories, The Assistant is a day in the life of a young woman (Julia Garner) who’s working for a powerful film producer. Writer-director Kitty Green joins host Anna Smith for an in-depth interview about power dynamics in the workplace, and making this film in the wake of the Weinstein scandal. Kitty also offers advice for filmmakers who are starting out.

Observer film critic Simran Hans returns to Girls On Film to give her views on The Assistant, and recommends two more films for home viewing: the foodie documentary Diana Kennedy – Nothing Fancy and a vintage rom com gem, Crossing Delancey.

Director Carol Morley joins Anna Smith to talk about her #FridayFilmClub, the weekly watch party uniting film fans during lockdown. She shares heartwarming stories about the way it’s brought cinema lovers together, and explains how gender and diversity inform her film choices. She also gives an update on her upcoming films and tells how she discovered a young Florence Pugh while casting The Falling, revealing details of the schoolgirl’s incredible audition.

Three listeners who responded to our #LittleWomenBookClub invitation join Anna from their homes across the world. From the Netherlands, mother and daughter Lauri and Julia explain how the book has been passed down the generations in their family, and in the UK, 13-year-old Hannah gives her verdict after picking up the book for the first time.

Finally, Total Film magazine’s Editor-In-Chief, Jane Crowther, returns to Girls On Film to review three new digital releases: female spy thriller The Rhythm Section starring Blake Lively, erotic psychodrama Who You Think I Am starring Juliette Binoche, and buddy comedy Like A Boss, starring Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek.

Film critic Hanna Flint is joined by her mother, former MP Caroline Flint, to discuss Little Women – the book and the film.

The pair chat with host Anna Smith about their personal relationship with Louisa May Alcott’s novel and Greta Gerwig’s adaptation, and the story’s relevance to modern day feminism.

In our latest Isolation Pod, Hanna and Caroline also share their recommendations for home viewing. They reveal which films they have watched the most times, and review two new digital releases: Love Wedding Repeat and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Anna also interviews Hollie Fraser, the founder of Books on the Underground, who shares her stories about working with Emma Watson.

Actors Emily Mortimer and Dolly Wells join Anna Smith for a lively discussion about films, friendship, nostalgia, and the notion of ‘strong women’.

The pair take us behind the scenes in their TV series Doll & Em, and talk about Good Posture, Dolly’s directorial debut starring Emily as a reclusive writer living in New York. Dolly also discusses Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Emily reveals the connection between The Newsroom and Doll & Em.

The second of Girls On Film’s special ‘Isolation Pods’, this episode also features Doll and Em’s recommendations for home viewing, from family favourites to edgy new gems on streaming.

In the first of a series of ‘Isolation Pods’ recorded online in our virtual studio, our host Anna Smith is joined by pioneering Saudi director Haifaa al-Mansour and Managing Director of Modern Films Eve Gabereau for a special discussion of al-Mansour’s new feature The Perfect Candidate – set for digital release this Friday 27 March.

We’re also joined by British-Bahraini trumpet player and composer Yazz Ahmed, who dedicated an original piece to al-Mansour, to discuss the power of music in the feature.

Our guest critic is Linda Marric, writer and broadcaster, regular contributor to The Jewish Chronicle, and reviews editor for HeyUGuys. Linda, Eve and Anna review new digital releases The Truth and Vivarium, as well as discussing the newly adapted BFI Flare LGBTIQ+ film festival.

The panel also discuss the challenges and adaptations facing the film industry, and how you can continue to support it from your sofa through these difficult times. Plus, our guests share their isolation movie recommendations to provide comfort, entertainment, and community through this unsettling period.