Welcome to the IMDb qualifying Chicago International Women Film Fest in partnership with the Chicago Women Film Institute!

Our annual Women's Cinematic Journey program is a 3-day hybrid event in February with both online and live event screenings in the cinema. Our seasonal competition is devoted to the promotion and screening of independent filmmakers from all over the globe.

The seasonal and annual Chicago Women Film Fest is dedicated to the language of cinema and the cinematic journey of female directors, producers and writers of all genres.

The fest advocates for and advances the careers of women working in the screen industries—in front of and behind the camera, across all levels of experience—to achieve parity, transform culture and promote the language of cinema and female directors.

Our intention is to offer continuous promotion and screening throughout the year to female directors and women in films through our seasonal and annual events.

Awards & Prizes

Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Director
Best Producer
Best Actress
Best Cinematographer
Best Editor
Best Composer
Best Experimental
Best Animation
Best Student Film
Best Music Video
Best Environmental
Best Human Rights
Best Feature Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay

Rules & Terms

Film and script projects must have been completed in the past three years.
The applicant holds all the rights for submission.
We only communicate with the submitter of project.
Projects must have been directed, produced or written by a female talent.
World premiere or a North American premiere is required for our annual screening in February.
We do not offer any waivers or refunds for submissions.

6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jennifer McKnight

    Terrific festival! So glad to play a part in it!

    June 2024
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  • Doron Neeman

    Thank you very much for participating in the film. Forbidden holiness , really exciting!

    March 2024
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  • Janna Jones

    This was a well run festival and all communication was timely and thoughtful. Thank you so much for awarding Cheap, Sexy, and Shocking! Best screenplay.

    March 2024
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  • Mimi Garrard

    We are honored to be a part of your festival.

    Mimi Garrard

    November 2023
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  • Yulia Petrova

    Thank you for such great opportunity to show our talents and have a chance to collaborate in a future! I wish people who participated in this festival could connect and discuss about future projects. To win on the festival is not a final goal but be able collaborate and bring the best project to people is the real realization of creativity! Thank you!

    August 2023
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