16 Days 16 Films, in partnership with UK Says No More are holding an open call to female-identifying filmmakers* for submissions of short films inspired by 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which runs from 25th November to 10th December, between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual campaign, which has run since 1991, and has 164 countries and 3,700 organisations involved. It uses the 16 days between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25th November) and International Human Rights Day (10th December) to reinforce that eliminating all forms of violence against women is a human rights issue, and that the act of perpetrating violence against women is a human rights violation.

Our aim is two-fold, working towards a more equitable world:
- To support 16 Days of Activism’s goal to eliminate violence against women and push for change and accountability
- To help combat gender inequality by creating opportunities for female filmmakers to have their stories seen.

*OPEN TO FEMALE-IDENTIFYING FILMMAKERS ONLY
- PLEASE READ RULES & TERMS BELOW BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR FILM

16 films will be selected by a nomination panel, with one film released each day of 16 Days of Activism, on 16 Days 16 Films' online platforms, followed by a special screening of our winning films and the distribution of prizes!

(Continué para leer en español)

Now in our Eighth year we are looking for submissions from female-identifying filmmakers.

The films should be no longer than 25 minutes, can be made using phones, cameras or whatever you have to hand, and can be of any genre and as traditional or experimental as you choose.

The films should explore themes inspired by the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Our aim is to support 16 Days of Activism’s goal to target institutions and situations in which all forms of gender-based violence, especially against women and girls, is perpetuated, and push for change and accountability.

Films made previously which fit the eligibility criteria and are available for online screening may be submitted.

In all cases, final decisions about a film’s eligibility rest with our submission committee: inclusion and consideration of films which do not strictly comply with the above criteria will be subject to the discretion of this committee. No correspondence will be entered into as to why particular entries were or were not nominated.

OPEN TO FEMALE-IDENTIFYING FILMMAKERS ONLY - If you have queries regarding your film's eligibility please email 16days16films@gmail.com

If your film is eligible, you may contact us for a fee waiver code. [It is only in place to try to discourage spam entries, so that we have time to properly consider all entries. However, if you do have the ability to pay the fee, do consider doing so as a donation to the cause and keeping the festival running. Submissions which do not meet our criteria will be disqualified.]
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Estamos buscando cortometrajes de cineastas que se identifiquen como mujer.

Las películas no deben durar más de 25 minutos, se pueden hacer con
teléfonos, cámaras o lo que tengas a mano, y pueden ser de cualquier
género y tan tradicionales o experimentales como elijas.

Las películas deben explorar temas inspirados en la campaña 16 Días de
Activismo contra la violencia de género. Apoyamos el objetivo de 16
Días de Activismo de analizar a instituciones y situaciones en las que
se perpetúan toda forma de violencia de género, especialmente contra
mujeres y niñas, e impulsar el cambio y la rendición de cuentas.

Se pueden enviar películas realizadas previamente que cumplan con los
criterios de elegibilidad y estén disponibles para su proyección en
línea.

En todos los casos, la decisión final sobre la elegibilidad de cada
película depende de nuestro comité de presentación: la inclusión y
consideración de películas que no cumplan estrictamente con los
criterios anteriores estarán sujetos a la discreción de este comité.
No se mantendrá correspondencia sobre por qué participaciones en
particular fueron o no nominadas.

ABIERTO ÚNICAMENTE A CINEASTAS QUE SE IDENTIFIQUEN COMO MUJER - Si
tiene preguntas sobre la elegibilidad de su película, envíe un correo
electrónico a 16days16films@gmail.com

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I would like to express my gratitude for the selection of “Bird Woman” for 16 DAYS 16 FILMS.
    I watched all sixteen films. Each one left a profound impression on me. I am truly grateful for your work.

    December 2025
  • Tracy Kiryango

    Thanks again so much to 16Days16Films for selecting our short film Peripeteia. The team is really wonderful, and quick to respond. I really enjoyed the fantastic line up of films this year!

    December 2024
  • Al Clark

    So thrilled to be part of this brilliant festival highlighting such important films. We were delighted that Safe won the Audience Award.

    December 2024
  • Ciara Kerr

    What an incredible festival showing incredible films. Thank you for having Homemaker in your selection this year. I'm so grateful for this festival and the platform it provides for the very important topic of gender-based violence.

    December 2023
  • It was an incredible honor for our short film to be a part of this festival. Wonderful communication and so much care was taken to share the work of all of the filmmakers. Excellent curation of films. Each short blew me away and moved me. Thank you so much for including MOSQUITO LADY this year!

    December 2023