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Women in Film Spotlight

Celebrating the work of women filmmakers, this spotlight presents over 60 films that explore themes of identity, empowerment, and resilience. Films like Queen of the Ring spotlight female trailblazers, while A Time Apart examines the complexities of relationships. From intimate character studies to broader societal commentaries, this category amplifies the voices and stories of women from around the world.

American Indie Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

A Time Apart

Film A Time Apart Directed by Courtney Hope Therond Alyssa returns to Paris to finalize her divorce, but while spending a final week with her soon-to-be ex-husband,...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

After Annecy

Film After Annecy Directed by Rebecca Holstein One month after a chance encounter in the town of Annecy, France, Remi travels to Northern Ireland in...
Archival Presentations: Watch Films Like it’s 1999, Women in Film Spotlight

All About My Mother

Film All About My Mother Directed by Pedro Almodóvar Part of every woman is a mother/actress/saint/sinner. And part of every man is a woman.
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

ALL WOMEN DO IT

Film ALL WOMEN DO IT Directed by marina ziolkowski Lola and Fred go on a trip to a remote house for a photo shoot. On the journey,...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

AM I

Film AM I Directed by Ce Liu An 8-year-old Asian girl, Maya, tries to buy a rabbit cake on Mother’s Day for her violent uncaring...
Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Aquatic

Film Aquatic Directed by Shiva Sadegh Asadi A woman’s ability to give birth to marine creatures is exploited for commercial purposes.
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Bad Hostage

Film Bad Hostage Directed by Mimi Wilcox After being held hostage, the filmmaker’s grandmother shocked her small town by declaring she felt more threatened by...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Before You

Film Before You Directed by Lauren Merage A first-time mother’s euphoric pregnancy spirals when she receives a heartbreaking medical prognosis about her unborn child –...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Blackmoll

Film Blackmoll Directed by Alessia Mandanici A seven-year-old girl sets out to justify the mysterious world of her dementia-suffering grandmother.
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Bob

Film Bob Directed by Tianyu Du A Chinese immigrant family arrives in the USA with limited financial resources. The mother is determined to provide...
Cinema for Students Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

Boy’s things

Film Boy’s things Directed by Raquel Colera Every summer Marta enjoys an idyllic routine of football, swimming, and riding her bike with her all male...
Animation Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

But I’m a Shoe

Film But I’m a Shoe Directed by Chen Drachman This is the story of a woman who wanted to fly comfortably, so she used a new service...
Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Chain

Film Chain Directed by LING HAN “Chain” is visually stunning and emotionally rich, expressing nature’s survival instincts and prompting viewers to ponder life’s deeper...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Clodagh

Film Clodagh Directed by Portia A. Buckley A lonely priest’s housekeeper encounters a young Irish girl of exceptional talent.
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Daisy is Gone

Film Daisy is Gone Directed by Ziyao Liu An absurdist sci-fi with comedic overtones, “Daisy is Gone” follows an anthrophobic Chinese poet, Meng, as he tries...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

Dead Cat

Film Dead Cat Directed by Annie-Claude Caron, Danick Audet How will Catherine and Louis replace their daughter’s distinctive cat with white spots before she finds out her...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Diane Warren: Relentless

Film Diane Warren: Relentless Directed by Bess Kargman Diane Warren: Relentless is an intimate Documentary exploring the life and career of prolific songwriter Diane Warren, known...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Disordered, Recovered, Whatever

Film Disordered, Recovered, Whatever Directed by McKenzie Moser After a person with bulimia binge-eats a pie on Thanksgiving, she has one hour to part with her...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Don’t be late, Myra

Film Don’t be late, Myra Directed by Afia Serena Nathaniel A ten-year-old Pakistani school girl, Myra, is forced to walk home alone, dodging the men harassing her on...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Dust to Light

Film Dust to Light Directed by Jenna Dorian When an estranged daughter packs up her late father’s home, an eerie wind lures her to a mysterious...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

End of Infinity

Film End of Infinity Directed by Flora Charlotte Lopategui Two young women share jokes and quiet moments on a bus ride through the English countryside, revealing their...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Fishtank

Film Fishtank Directed by Wendi Tang Jules has been sober for a year, but she can’t stop vomiting goldfish. Striving to put her life...
Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Fracti

Film Fracti Directed by Lavinia Petrache Humans live their routines inside a village floating in the sky. What happens when one of them causes...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

I Have Love In Me

Film I Have Love In Me Directed by Anne DeMelo In the rural Virginia woods, a teenage long-distance runner struggles with a crush on a teammate who torments...
Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

In the Shadow of the Cypress

Film In the Shadow of the Cypress Directed by Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani Struggling to connect with his daughter, a former captain suffering from PTSD, experiences an unforeseen event that could...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Jedo’s Dead

Film Jedo’s Dead Directed by Sara Nimeh When a young middle-eastern girl finds her grandfather dead, she is forced to grapple with the earthly rituals...
Free Programs, International Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

JUST A FARMER

Film JUST A FARMER Directed by Simon Lyndon When Alison’s beloved and hard-working husband, Alec, dies unexpectedly, she must manage a failing farm, care for her...
American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Lady Parts

Film Lady Parts Directed by Nancy Boyd Lady Parts” follows Paige, an aspiring screenwriter in Los Angeles who, just days before landing her dream job,...
Animation Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Le Charade

Film Le Charade Directed by Erika Totoro A psychological comedy set in a run-down 1950s diner, “Le Charade” follows the final performance of a lonely...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Le Parrot

Film Le Parrot Directed by Rachael Sonnenberg Three siblings return home for their mother’s funeral. Chaos ensues when they discover she has left behind a...
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Manting

Film Manting Directed by Shuyao Chen Manting, a Chinese woman in her early 60s, rekindles a connection with her teenage love after the passing...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Min

Film Min Directed by Soo Jin Jeong Set during the 1990s Korean IMF economic crisis, Min, a 6-year-old girl seeks to be loved through her...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Na Marei

Film Na Marei Directed by Lea-Jade Horlier Zaid, a 15-year-old living near Kabul, appears to be thriving despite the city’s post-war devastation. However, when his...
Studio Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Nightbitch

Film Nightbitch Directed by Marielle Heller Unleash the beast.
American Indie Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Queen of the Ring

Film Queen of the Ring Directed by Ash Avildsen “Queen of the Ring” tells the remarkable true story of Mildred Burke, the first million-dollar female athlete in...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Remento

Film Remento Directed by David Shane, Thaddeus McCants A passive activist with selective memory stumbles through a week of social justice, repeatedly concluding that Black Lives...
Human Rights Spotlight, Oscar® Submissions, Women in Film Spotlight

Santosh

Film Santosh Directed by Sandhya Suri A government scheme sees newly widowed Santosh inherit her husband’s job as a police constable in the rural...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Schrödinger’s Brother

Film Schrödinger’s Brother Directed by Elizabeth Perla “Schrödinger’s Brother” is a dark comedy about a young woman who must call 911 for help because she...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Screentime

Film Screentime Directed by Alexandrena Parker “Screentime” is a social commentary narrative illustrating the contrast between digital screens and the tactile world in childhood,...
Environmental Focus, Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, International Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Searching for Amani

Film Searching for Amani Directed by Debra Aroko, Nicole Gormley A 13-year-old aspiring journalist investigates his father’s murder in Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancy. As a severe drought worsens,...
Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Shari & Lamb Chop

Film Shari & Lamb Chop Directed by Lisa D'Apolito Shari & Lamb Chop tells the inspiring story of Shari Lewis, a multi-talented woman who, despite being underestimated...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Shimmer

Film Shimmer Directed by Andrés Palma Cast away on a desolate beach, Ricardo toils tirelessly on a massive lighthouse that he believes holds the...
American Indie Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Single Car Crashes

Film Single Car Crashes Directed by Brittani Ward Due to a devastating car crash that took his best friend life, Sean, a one-time promising baseball recruit,...
Human Rights Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, QFest LGBTQ Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Sixteen

Film Sixteen Directed by Naomi Iwamoto When a Japanese American teenage girl is faced with the reality of being sent to conversion therapy, she...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

So, That Happened

Film So, That Happened Directed by Neha Aziz Sheila and Imran haven’t seen each other since college, but when Imran moves back to Austin, an opportunity...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Stalled In Eight Etudes

Film Stalled In Eight Etudes Directed by Kersti Bryan Eight lives intersect in a municipal courthouse bathroom and find a surprising humanity.
Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Stills Moving

Film Stills Moving Directed by Kevin Tsung Hsuan Yeh After learning of her ALS diagnosis, a sculptor puts her heart and soul into her next work, a...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Superman Doesn’t Steal

Film Superman Doesn’t Steal Directed by Tamika Lamison Based on true events and set during the 1970’s Atlanta child murders, “Superman Doesn’t Steal” introduces Harriet and...
American Indie Spotlight, International Spotlight, Spanish-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

Supporting Actresses

Film Supporting Actresses Directed by Arturo Dueñas Shot in a single sequence with mixed formats, the film highlights the role of supporting actresses in theater...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

The Candy Lady

Film The Candy Lady Directed by Monique Morton Derouselle A neighborhood candy lady’s normal day goes awry when she awakens an antique magical typewriter that brings her...
Cinema for Students Programs, Free Programs, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Women in Film Spotlight

The Debutantes

Film The Debutantes Directed by Contessa Gayles How does one come out into society in a way that honors and fosters a development of one’s...
Studio Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

The Fire Inside

Film The Fire Inside Directed by Rachel Morrison To change everything, she gave everything.
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

The fire of a firefly

Film The fire of a firefly Directed by Augusto Reyes Pedro, an indigenous migrant, returns to his village for his mother’s funeral. When he learns of a serious...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

The Lift

Film The Lift Directed by Laura Maccabee Following the loss of his husband, a grief-stricken retiree finds renewed connection with a mysterious young woman who’s...
American Indie Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

The Loved & Lost

Film The Loved & Lost Directed by Anna Thalman Becca and Cal, two parents lost in the struggles of their dried-up careers, search for meaning while managing...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

The Soldier & The Butterfly

Film The Soldier & The Butterfly Directed by Stefano Da Frè The Soldier & The Butterfly is a poignant tale of forbidden love set against the backdrop of Japanese...
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

The Source Of All Beauty

Film The Source Of All Beauty Directed by Rachel Lévy Yaeli, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish young woman, carries a terrible secret that may destroy all her chances of future...
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum, Women in Film Spotlight

The Umesh Chronicles

Film The Umesh Chronicles Directed by Pooja Kaul A woman questions the nature of freedom as she contrasts her privileged life with that of those who...
American Indie Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Women in Film Spotlight

Those Were the Good Days

Film Those Were the Good Days Directed by Hong-rae Lee This is the story of intersections between past and present, memory and forgetting, inner peace and healing. We...
Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Two Breaths

Film Two Breaths Directed by Kateryna Kurganska After a man-made disaster decimates an evergreen island, a stranded 11-year-old girl must first survive and then find...
International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Women in Film Spotlight

Waltz for Three

Film Waltz for Three Directed by Oriana Ng A rich woman picks up a male prostitute and asks for more than what he usually sells.
American Indie Spotlight, New Filmmakers Forum, Women in Film Spotlight

Where in the Hell

Film Where in the Hell Directed by Laramie Dennis When her girlfriend vanishes mid-road trip, sardonic prop master Kasey ends up stranded in a California backwater. She...
Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Zebras That Don’t Exist

Film Zebras That Don’t Exist Directed by Qiuchi Wu An asthmatic girl’s energy grows as her love for the athletic boy who runs past her house each...