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Chicago Women Film Institute


Do not miss the winners of Chicago Women Film Fest
The Chicago Women Film Fest is a crucial event and competition that celebrates the diversity and creativity of women's voices in the film industry. This festival acts as an important platform for both emerging and established female filmmakers, highlighting their unique perspectives and artistic expressions. By presenting a wide range of films—from narrative features and documentaries to short films and experimental works—the festival not only entertains but also educates aud


CHIMERA
Sixteen-year-old PAIGE awakens to find she has been drugged and kidnapped by an elderly man named BEN. As Ben's actions become more extreme, Paige realizes she must escape or face a fate worse than death. Anne worked as an assistant to Blake Snyder and continued with Save the Cat! after his passing. She developed her web series "They Live Among Us," which pulp critic Will Varaho described as "...pure pulp by blending gothic horror, film noir, urban (LA) angst, theological the


The Real Remedy
Following a life-altering illness that forced her to confront her own mortality and reevaluate her priorities, a woman embarks on a transformative journey back to her roots. This journey leads her to reunite with her quirky homesteading mother, a woman whose unconventional lifestyle and unique perspective on life have always been a source of both inspiration and bewilderment for her daughter. Through this heartfelt reunion, the daughter begins to rediscover not only her origi


A Parable of Now
"A Parable of Now" (2026) is a three-channel visual poem with multiple interpretations. At its heart lies the theme of lost innocence and the environmental crisis we are leaving for future generations. Cecelia Condit has exhibited her work internationally in festivals, museums, and alternative spaces. Her pieces are part of collections at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA, and the Centre Georges


Creturs
"Creturs" is an award-winning debut feature film seeking its world premiere. Written, directed, and performed by Carrie King alongside her real family on their Pennsylvania farm, this deeply personal creature feature delves into the fears and anxiety of the unknown. Set against the backdrop of pandemic isolation, a Lancaster County farm becomes the entire universe for a fragile family striving to stay together. Utilizing elements of found footage and starring a real-life fami


Where I No Longer Belong
After her grandmother's passing, Elena faces the challenging and emotionally charged task of returning to her childhood home to gather her belongings. This journey is not merely a physical return; it is a confrontation with a painful past filled with memories that both haunt and define her. The turbulent relationship she shared with her family adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation, as unresolved issues and lingering feelings of resentment bubble to the surfa


Rumble on the Plains
Each autumn, Custer State Park resonates with the sound of nearly a thousand buffalo on the move. "Rumble on the Plains" follows the annual buffalo roundup at Custer State Park through the perspectives of park staff, cowboys, and community members who bring it to life year after year. This roundup is not merely a spectacle; it represents an act of stewardship and conservation. Through the experiences of those who make this event possible, viewers are invited to join the rumbl


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,...
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