WVN Film Festival.
A women’s rights documentary film festival for emerging filmmakers.
Awards
Leslie J. Sacks Best Documentary Feature – $3,500
Best Documentary Short – $2,000
Best Human Rights Documentary – $2,000
Best Creative Documentary – $1,000
Best First-time Filmmaker – $1,000
Best Youth Documentary Short – $500
![Advisory Board](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:441/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Celluloid-Ceiling-1.jpg)
The Celluloid Ceiling.
Women filmmakers are out there, so why is women-produced content still underrepresented?
- In the United States, women face difficulty in fundraising and attracting interest in films about women and individuals from underrepresented groups
- In Europe, only 16% of available funding goes to films directed by women.
- Stereotypes about women's skills and ambition, and male-dominated networks remain a powerful barrier to entry.
Women Filmmakers: Shattering That Ceiling.
Our independent film festival challenges gender-based stereotypes both on and off the screen. To support this vision, our online film festival:
- We provide a platform for emerging filmmakers telling essential, authentic stories.
- We support our filmmakers with cash prizes and visibility.
- We connect our filmmakers with each other and with film industry professionals.
![Women's Voices Now](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:600/h:338/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Alka_Action.png)
![Film Festival Jury Members](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:534/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Film-Festival.jpg)
Our Approach.
- We seek films that address or shine light upon issues affecting women and/or girls through a social-change lens.
- We accept documentary films in the short, feature, and youth categories; and award $10,000 in cash prizes each year.
- We receive submissions from August through November, and celebrate the winners and the film festival in March during Women's History Month.
“The Women’s Voices Now Film Festival provides a rare and special platform for unheard voices and issues, and is a creative boon for independent women filmmakers around the world.”
– Dr. Meena Longjam, Filmmaker
![](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:753/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MEENABW2.jpg)
Festival Sponsors.