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UPCOMING EVENTS:
APRIL 25, 12PM PT: Awards Ceremony – Announcing the $13,000 prize winners and Women Making Waves Awardee.  Bookmark / Sign Up to Zoom Link
RECORDINGS:
MARCH 26, 12PM PT: Festival Kick-off Event with Tierra Jones (Actress & Advocate) – Discussing film’s role in advancing women’s rights. Watch Recording
APRIL 2, 12PM PT: Industry Chat with Esmé Bianco (Founder, Visionary Survivor Creative Fund) – Keeping sexual violence off film sets. Watch Recording
APRIL 9, 12PM PT: Jury Panel Review – Breaking down this year’s festival theme. Watch Recording
Feature Documentary

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Wild Women.
A solitary journey to reconnect with nature and self
About the Film:
A filmmaker retreats to a forest hut for six months, guided by the wisdom of four women who devoted their lives to spirituality. Through solitude and nature, she embarks on an introspective quest to redefine her connection to the world—a poetic meditation on inner transformation.
Directed by Cécile Mavet

DO YOU REMEMBER ME?
A Personal Story that Challenges Harmful Traditions

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URBAN AMAZONS (AMAZONEN EINER GROSSSTADT).
Modern heroines redefine strength in the concrete jungle
About the Film:
Urban Amazons is a groundbreaking film that celebrates modern Amazons—fearless, empowered heroines who fight for what truly matters. These dynamic women pursue victory in the ring, seek acceptance, and champion the cause of humanity with relentless determination. As the fierce battle cries of the director’s youth mellow over time, she embarks on a poignant quest to rediscover her lost Amazon within the urban jungle.
Directed by Thais Odermatt.

House in the Fields.
A Thousand-Year Legacy of Amazigh Storytelling
About the Film:
This documentary delves into the lives of an isolated Amazigh community in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. Through oral histories and traditional storytelling, the film preserves the rich cultural heritage of the Amazigh people, passed down through generations.
Directed by Tala Hadid.

Loud Enough.
When Justice Fails, a Family Fights Back
About the Film:
After surviving a life-threatening sexual assault, Madison Smith and her family battle a biased judicial system. Partnering with advocates, they uncover an 1880s law to hold her attacker accountable, sparking a four-year journey of activism and systemic change.
Directed by Hilary Klotz Steinman.

PERIODICAL.
Exploring the marvel and mystery of the menstrual cycle.
About the Film:
This groundbreaking documentary dives into the science, history, and cultural significance of the menstrual cycle. Featuring interviews with experts, activists, and celebrities like Gloria Steinem and Megan Rapinoe, Periodical uses innovative mixed-media storytelling to shed light on a topic often shrouded in stigma. It’s a must-watch for anyone curious about the human body and the societal narratives surrounding menstruation.
Directed by Lina Lyte Plioplyte.

$AVVY.
Unmasking Why Women Take a Backseat to Their Finances
About the Film:
$AVVY investigates the historical, cultural and societal norms around women and money. With incisive humor and captivating honesty, $avvy questions why women often take a backseat to their finances and why it’s so important now more than ever for women to take control of their financial futures.
Directed by Robin Hauser.

A Mother, Youngsoon.
A Defector’s Fight Against Betrayal and Loss
About the Film:
Youngsoon, a North Korean defector, loses all family members except her son Sosa after settling in South Korea. She invests her life savings into a vacation rental business for him, only to discover she’s been swindled. This poignant story explores resilience amid betrayal and the struggle to rebuild in a hostile world.
Directed by Lee Chang-jun.

We Iranian Women.
A revolution led by women’s defiance
About the Film:
After Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody, Iranian women ignite nationwide protests against decades of oppression. This documentary traces the history of women’s resistance—from underground activism to the 2022 uprising—and captures their fearless demand for freedom in the face of a brutal regime.
Directed by Anna Migotto & Sabina Fedeli.

AS IN HEAVEN SO ON EARTH (WIE IM HIMMEL SO AUF ERDEN).
A Monastery of Women Seeking Solace
About the Film:
Abbess Maria leads the only Orthodox women’s monastery in Germany, where 13 sisters from diverse cultural backgrounds come together to seek spiritual peace. This meditative film explores their lives, their connection to God, and the monastery as a sanctuary from the chaos of the world. Through their daily rituals, prayers, and reflections, the sisters confront themes of life, death, and destiny, offering a rare glimpse into a world of quiet devotion and profound introspection.
Directed by Daria Kuschev.

Angels of Sinjar.
A Yezidi Woman’s Quest to Rescue Her Sisters from ISIS
About the Film:
Hanifa, a Yezidi woman from Sinjar, Iraq, survives a massacre by ISIS but loses five sisters to enslavement. Severely wounded, her husband Saeed crawls out of a mass grave. Driven by a promise to her dying father, Hanifa risks her life to track down her sisters in ISIS-held territories. Directed by Academy- and Emmy-Award nominee Hanna Polak, this harrowing documentary exposes the forgotten genocide against the Yezidi people and the unbreakable courage of a community fighting for survival.
Directed by Hanna Polak

Mala ReputaciĂłn (Bad Reputation).
A sex worker’s fight for labor rights and reinvention
About the Film:
Karina makes her living as a sex worker on the road and she is an outspoken activist. Now at the age of 45, and with her itinerant life, she begins to imagine life working in another field and she starts the way to organize her colleagues for their labor rights. Both challenges are difficult for a woman with a bad reputation.
Directed by Marta GarcĂa & Sol Infante.

BANGLA Surf Girls.
Riding the waves of freedom in Bangladesh.
About the Film:
BANGLA Surf Girls is an observational coming-of-age documentary about three teenage girls who get a rare sense of agency over their lives when they join a surf club. Over the course of three years, we follow Suma, Ayesha and Shobe as they fight unsurmountable odds to follow their dreams.
Directed by Elizabeth D. Costa.

Les eaux calmes (Calmer Waters).
A quadriplegic woman redefines motherhood and healing.
About the Film:
Thirteen years after a tragic diving accident left Soleine paralyzed from the neck down, Les eaux calmes (Calmer Waters) documents her brave decision to become the first quadriplegic woman in Quebec to give birth. Through thought-provoking narration and intimate footage shot over the course of a decade, Soleine’s desire to embrace motherhood is what ultimately leads to self-forgiveness and her place in this world. But as she approaches 40, Soleine still hasn’t mourned the loss of her legs. Determined to relive her fondest childhood memory, a fishing trip with her family, Soleine is ready to let go of the past and once again dive into water.
Directed by Annie Leclair.

Daughters of Putien.
A piercing look into the dark aftermath of a restrictive policy
About the Film:
Between the 1970s and the 1990s, under China’s strict one-child policy, an unknown number of baby girls were abandoned by their parents who wanted to have a son. Tens of thousands of these unwanted girls were brought to Putien, Fujian, where they were raised by foster families. But their foster parents didn’t do this out of the kindness of their hearts. Instead, they had a clear goal: one day the girls were to marry their sons. Decades later, the women have grown up, and they want answers: where did they came from? And why were they traded like a commodity?
Directed by Wei Du.

The Illusion of Abundance.
Defending nature against corporate exploitation
About the Film:
Three courageous women—Máxima, Bertha, and Carolina—lead the global fight against corporate greed threatening their communities. Facing police repression, death threats, and corporate harassment, they expose the hidden costs of “development” and inspire a worldwide movement for environmental justice. This documentary is a rallying cry for those risking everything to protect the planet.
Directed by Erika Gonzalez Ramirez & Matthieu Lietaert.

GUERRERAS (WOMEN WARRIORS).
Climbing Mountains, Facing Fears
About the Film:
In a “Maloca” (House of Thoughts) at the base of a rock, seven women climbers gather around a fire to share their stories of struggle and triumph. Facilitated by Alejandra, the talking circle becomes a safe space where courage is ignited by the flames. Each woman recounts her journey—confronting fears, breaking barriers, and finding strength in the face of adversity. This intimate documentary captures their collective resilience and the transformative power of community.
Directed by Timothée Callec, Thomas Palmer.

Holy Rights.
Women Rewriting Religious Patriarchy
About the Film:
Safia, a devout Muslim woman in India, challenges the male-dominated interpretation of Sharia by training to become a Qazi (Islamic cleric). Her journey sparks a movement as other women join her, confronting patriarchal norms and fighting for equality within their faith.
Directed by Farha Khatun.

Laid to Rest:Â Buried Stories of the Jewish Sex Trade.
Unearthing a Forgotten Chapter of History
About the Film:
This documentary delves into the hidden history of the Jewish sex trade in Argentina, a taboo subject that has long been buried. Through the voices of storytellers from different times and places, the film resurrects the stories of women who fought for their freedom and dignity. It also examines the role of the Jewish community in combating exploitation from within, shedding light on a dark and often overlooked chapter of immigrant history.
Directed by Ornit Barkai.

Women Conquer the Art Business.
Rewriting the rules of a male-dominated world
About the Film:
Once sidelined, women now dominate the art scene as gallerists, curators, and innovators. This documentary showcases their rise—building networks, challenging norms, and curating bold exhibitions that redefine art’s role in society. A celebration of female visionaries reshaping culture.
Directed by Sarah Rathgeb.

Toda Noite Estarei Lá (I Will Be There Every Single Night).
A fight for justice and self-reinvention in Brazil
About the Film:
After facing a transphobic assault in her evangelical church, Mel Rosário, a 56-year-old transgender woman, takes a stand. She protests outside the church that banned her and fights for justice in court. Set against the backdrop of Bolsonarist Brazil, this film follows Mel’s journey of reinvention and survival as she challenges systemic oppression.
Directed by:Â Suellen Vasconcelos & Tati Franklin.

Survivor Made.
Survivors of gender-based violence rebuild their lives
About the Film:
This inspiring documentary follows a group of survivors as they turn their pain into power. From building businesses in Los Angeles to lobbying for change in Washington, D.C., these women defy the odds and prove that investing in survivors saves lives. It’s a story of resilience, activism, and community support.
Directed by Drew Denny.

Screams Before Silence.
A harrowing account of sexual violence during conflict
About the Film:
This documentary exposes the sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Through firsthand accounts and investigative reporting, the film sheds light on the atrocities faced by survivors, offering a stark reminder of the human cost of political conflict. It’s a powerful call for justice and human rights.
Directed by Anat Stalinsky.

Life After Life.
The Last Days of Female Artists in Kabul

Women of Resilience.
From guerrillas to artists: Kurdish women’s non-violent fight for freedom
About the Film:
Two former Kurdish fighters leave armed resistance behind to pursue art and activism. Their journey—from mountains to studios—highlights the struggle to preserve Kurdish identity under cultural suppression. A story of reinvention and the power of non-violent defiance.
Directed by Andreas Rochholl and Sebastian Leitner.

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NEIRUD.
Unraveling the mystery of a wrestler’s life.
About the Film:
After the mysterious death of her aunt Neirud, a filmmaker pieces together her aunt’s enigmatic life as a wrestler in an underground all-female circus troupe in 1960s-80s Brazil. Through the investigation of Neirud’s controversial ring persona, Gorilla Woman, the film uncovers a fascinating story of race, identity, and queer life.
Directed by Fernanda Faya.
Short Documentary

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Silent Cries (Kiayunik Tuhanak).
A survivor’s journey through trauma and healing
About the Film:
Navalik Tologanak, a residential school survivor, shares her story of forced boarding and cultural grief. The film documents a historic meeting between Pope Francis and Inuit survivors in 2022, weaving personal narratives with broader historical memory. It’s a poignant exploration of trauma, resilience, and the fight for cultural preservation.
Directed by Navalik Tologanak.

High, Soft and Open.
The Silent Struggles of Hormonal Birth Control
About the Film:
This hybrid documentary uses intimate audio recordings and visual reconstructions to explore the mental health side effects of hormonal birth control. Women share their silent struggles, creating a tapestry of personal narratives rarely discussed openly.
Directed by Rita Maria Conry.

CHALK BACK.
A movement to end street harassment — in chalk and online
About the Film:
Sophie Sandberg develops a revolutionary movement in response to her experiences with catcalling as a way to provide a safe community for victims of street harassment both publicly and online, while allowing them the opportunity to reclaim their power.
Directed by Kylie Procita.

Women of Honey and Water.
A love song to Taiwan’s land and sea
About the Film:
Two women—a surfer and a beekeeper—embody Taiwan’s harmony with nature. Through their daily rituals, they forge a deep bond with the island’s elements, offering a sensory journey into a community where humans and nature thrive in mutual respect.
Directed by Camila Pardo.

STANDING WITH MOMS.
Empowering Black mothers through guaranteed income
About the Film:
This short documentary follows two Black mothers in Washington, D.C., as they navigate the challenges of single parenthood. Melody Webb, an attorney and founder of Mother’s Outreach Network, launches a guaranteed income pilot to support Black mothers. The film highlights the impact of financial stability on family unity and community empowerment.
Directed by Radha Mehta.

GIRLS:Â WOMEN TOO EARLY.
The Harsh Reality of Teenage Motherhood in Cameroon
About the Film:
Christine, 17, and Rose, 16, are teenage mothers in rural Cameroon, struggling with early marriages, lost education, and economic hardship. Their stories reflect the broader crisis of adolescent pregnancy in Africa, where young girls are forced into adulthood far too soon.
Directed by Paolo Patrun.

DAGA.
A woman’s fight to empower girls in her village

An Undoing.
Stitching Together Healing After a 20-Year Journey

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Faire des Vagues (Making Waves).
An aquatic journey of self-expression and resilience.
About the Film:
Corinne, a mother living with HIV, finds solace and strength in the icy waters of Lake Geneva. Through swimming, drawing, and acrobatics with her daughter, she navigates her mental universe and asserts her place in the world. This immersive documentary is a celebration of personal transformation and the power of self-expression.
Directed by Hannah Klaas.

Türkan: The Story of a Female Scientist .
A pioneer’s fight for modern Turkey and science

Love Letter to Life.
A Cancer Survivor’s Journey of Resilience and Joy
Student Documentary

More Than Milk.
Empowerment through the gift of a cow.

Five Minutes.
A Hallucinatory Dive into Anxiety and Uncertainty.
Festival Sponsors.