Female Filmmaker Friday: Olivia Milch, Co-Screenwriter of Highly Anticipated "Ocean's 8"

Olivia Milch is an American screenwriter, director, and producer.

2018 has been a breakout year for Milch. In April, she made her directorial debut with an original film for Netflix, Dude, staring Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, Alexandra Shipp, Awkwafina, Austin Butler, and Michaela Watkins. The film is about four female friends in their last year of high school. While most high school films about females revolve around boys and drama, Dude also allows its female protagonists to be stoners, get into trouble, and enjoy friendship. Not that there isn't struggles along the way, but Milch wanted to show a part of the female "high school experience" that isn't shown in many young adult films. She "wanted to see a film that showed how complicated, funny, nuanced, and brilliant young women are...which for many of us, happened while getting high in our cars.”

Milch’s biggest film coming out this year will most certainly be Ocean’s 8, which she co-wrote with director, Gary Ross. The film, an all-female sequel to the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, stars Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson, and Rihanna. The film is set to be released at the beginning of June.

While new to the scene, Milch continues to find important work. She was recently announced as a co-writer for Queen & Country, Ridley Scott’s next film.

Watch Oliva Milch and fellow directors, Dawn Porter and Susanna White, speak on their experiences in the industry: