5 Film Festivals To Follow If You Love Women In Film!

If you’re into the film scene, you’ve probably already heard of the Sundance and the Cannes Film Festivals. But there is a world of events out there that go beyond red carpets and A-List celebrity sightings. Festivals are a great opportunity for emerging filmmakers to network and build an audience. There is an entire network of film festivals that are dedicated to highlighting women in the film industry. These events not only showcase films directed by women but also create spaces where women-identifying creatives can connect and collaborate in a male-dominated industry

If you want to discover exciting films by women and support the growing movement to uplift women's voices in cinema, here are five film festivals to follow!

1. Athena Film Festival (New York City, NY, USA)

Hosted annually at Barnard College in New York City, the Athena Film Festival has been uplifting women filmmakers since 2011. The festival showcases films that highlight women in leadership, often bringing in filmmakers and other professionals to engage in Q&As and conversations about gender, power, and culture. Beyond the screenings, Athena has an extension called The Athena Creative Development Program, where they support the development of women-led film projects. If you enjoy films about inspiring women, social change, or powerful women-led stories, this is a festival worth keeping on your radar!

2. Créteil International Women’s Film Festival (Créteil, France)

One of the oldest and most respected festivals dedicated to women in cinema, the Créteil International Women’s Film Festival was established in 1979 in France. This festival highlights women filmmakers all around the world, showcasing both emerging voices and renowned directors. Each year, this festival brings together more than 130 filmmakers and 20,000 spectators to celebrate the contribution of women to the art of film. If you’re a fan of global cinema or enjoy exploring film history, this festival offers a look at women in film across the past 3 decades!

3. Bentonville Film Festival (Bentonville, AR, USA)

Founded in 2015, the BFFoundation is a partner of The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and celebrates female, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, API, and persons with disabilities’ voices in media and entertainment. While this festival is not focused only on women in film, their mission is to amplify underrepresented voices in the industry, with their main goal of bringing more inclusive content to the screens. If you’re interested in films that highlight diverse voices, Bentonville is a great foundation to keep up with!

4. LA Femme International Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

Created in 2015, La Femme International Film Festival became the first women-focused film festival of Los Angeles. With various categories across film and TV, this festival has the mission of supporting and nurturing media created by women, for everyone. They have the goal of aiding the distribution of feature films as well as creating funds to support films that are still in production. If you’re curious about the next generation of women filmmakers working in Hollywood, this festival is a great place to start exploring!

5. Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival (New York City, NY, USA)

Based in New York City, the Imagine This Women's International Film Festival's mission is to showcase films made by emerging and independent women and non-binary filmmakers across the world. Beyond screenings, they also hold educational panels, as well as industry networking and community-building opportunities. By highlighting bold and inspiring narratives, this festival aims to drive change in creating a more inclusive future for film. If you love discovering international films or finding independent filmmakers before they break into the mainstream, consider following this festival!