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Chicago Women Film Institute


Honoring Women in Cinema at the Chicago Women Film Fest
The Chicago Women Film Fest is an essential event and competition that honors the diversity and creativity of women's voices in the film industry. This festival serves as a vital platform for emerging and established female filmmakers, showcasing their unique perspectives and artistic expressions. By featuring a wide array of films—from narrative features and documentaries to short films and experimental works—the festival not only entertains but also educates audiences about


About Agnès Varda
Belgian-born Varda is often regarded as the mother of the French New Wave. Her debut feature, LA POINTE COURTE (1956) – which she wrote and directed without any formal training – is seen as the film that sparked the movement. Throughout her career spanning over 60 years, Varda has explored various forms of filmmaking, including shorts, documentaries, and narrative feature films. Her notable works include the New Wave classic CLEO FROM 5 TO 7, LE BONHEUR, VAGABOND, her autobio


Trigger
In a bustling diner, FBI Special Agent Reggie Keller faces a deranged man named Damon, who is holding a bomb that will detonate if released. Reggie has only a few minutes to prevent disaster before her son, Kooper, arrives to join her for lunch. Ashley Zahorian, a producer and director with numerous awards, is dedicated to crafting media that delves into the breadth of human experience and dignity. She is an Assistant Professor at Regent University's School of Communication &


Silly Little Wounds
After the drama director of Park River High School passes away, six former theater students reunite in their hometown for the funeral. Setting aside the demands of marriage, children, and careers for the weekend, the once close-knit group slips back into familiar routines. Tori, who tends toward self-destruction, seeks solace with her old love, the dependable Nathan. Former best friends, the perfectionist Kate and the overwhelmed mom Sienna, attempt to mend their friendship,


Last Encounters
This lesser-known chapter of literary history recounts the last weeks of Sylvia Plath's life and her friendship with her downstairs neighbor, Trevor Thomas. It features Alistair Petrie from Sex Education and Amber Anderson from Peaky Blinders. Rosie Day is a director, screenwriter, author, and playwright. Her first play, Instructions For A Teenage Armageddon, premiered in London's West End to numerous 5-star reviews in Spring 2024. Her debut book of the same title was publish


Trumpet Vine
Does everyone possess the courage to escape the confines we create for ourselves? Two decades have elapsed since South Korea implemented its Anti-Prostitution Law, yet visible red-light districts persist nationwide, revealing a complex social issue that continues to challenge the fabric of society. Despite the legal framework aimed at eradicating such practices, the existence of these districts indicates a deep-rooted problem that cannot be solved solely through legislation.


Celebrated voices of Chicago Women Film Fest
The Chicago Women Film Fest is a vital event and competition that celebrates the diversity and creativity of female voices in the film industry. It emphasizes the significance of representation and gender equality by showcasing films through its annual and seasonal programs in partnership with the Chicago Women Film Institute. The festival includes female jury members and offers a platform for female directors, producers, and writers, challenging traditional industry norms. I


Don't miss the winners of Chicago Women Film Fest
The Chicago Women Film Fest is an essential event and competition celebrating the diversity and creativity of female voices in the film...


Chicago Women Film Fest reveals its winners
The Chicago Women Film Festival is dedicated to independent cinema and the representation of women in films and media. Each year, the...


Ariel by Alison Murray
A brother and sister return to Argentina, country of their birth, for the first time in their adult lives. Against the backdrop of...


Always & Forever
In a vast and enchanting world filled with vibrant landscapes and endless possibilities, two young girls unexpectedly cross paths,...


The Right Track
The Right Track is a compelling documentary that highlights the ongoing battle to eradicate sex trafficking and human exploitation in the...


Chantal Akerman Feminism
While Chantal Akerman may not have been a widely recognized name, few filmmakers have had such a broad influence. Born in Belgium,...


LIKE STARS
An unseen North Korean asylum seeker and an asylum attorney both face intense pressures, realizing that mere survival is not enough. The...


What we need to know about Agnès Varda
Agnès Varda (born May 30, 1928, Ixelles, Belgium—died March 29, 2019, Paris, France) was a French director and photographer whose debut...


Bald
Upon receiving life-changing news, a woman sets out on a transformative journey, daring to explore life beyond her comfort zone. This...


Discover the awardees of the Chicago Women Film Fest
The IMDb qualifying Chicago Women Film Fest, in partnership with the esteemed Chicago Women Film Institute, stands as a beacon of...


Under the Water
Faced with misogynistic insults and violence from the boys in her town, an eleven-year-old girl experiences a series of unusual events...


Women on Mars
A scientific female crew embarks on an ambitious journey into a Martian simulation, spending an intensive 15 days at an analog base...


Tomorrow I Die
In this Hungarian ghost story with a mystical-realist twist, Irma, who is eight months pregnant, invites her brother and supposed best...
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