California Women's Film Festival (Winter)

The California Women’s Film Festival is deeply honored to celebrate women filmmakers, artists and writers by providing a showcase and networking forum in the heart of Hollywood.

The CWFF understands how important it is to hear and see the educated, entertaining and diverse stories of women from around the globe. We provide a platform so these voices can be heard and shared with audiences that want to be inspired. The California Women’s Film Festival accepts all projects that has at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women. The California Women's Film Festival operates as a biannual event. Our Winter season will be held in January and our Summer season will be held in July.

Best Director
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Best Actor

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Best Student Film
Best Foreign Film
Best Animation
Best Music Video
Best Experimental Film
Best Short Screenplay
Best Feature Screenplay

Audience Award 1st, 2nd & 3rd

California Women's Film Festival General Rules
-Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Lead Actress, Etc......).
-Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
-All genres are accepted.
-Works in progress should be clearly marked on the screening copy.
-Submissions in languages other than English must be subtitled or
dubbed.
-The entry fee is per category.
-Entry fee is non-refundable.
-Fee waivers are not available.
-DVDs must clearly be labeled with FilmFreeway tracking ID and contact
info.
-Our Festival will consist of Award presentations, red carpet photos,
-screenings and Q&A sessions.
-For more information please contact us at info@calwomensfest.com
-Please do not send paper press kits with your screener unless requested.
-DVDs will not be returned.

I agree to the terms outlined in the General Festival Rules for the California Women's Film Festival. The California Women's Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless California Women's Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Melissa Bruning

I really loved the support the festival gave our short and was very impressed by the other entries. Thanks for supporting the gals!

January 2023

Helpful
Karin Lee

So grateful to have my documentary Incorrigible screen at this wonderfully curated and organized festival - the depth of programming and selection of films was outstanding! Thank you CWFF for including Incorrigible in your program! Karin Lee Writer/Director/Producer - Incorrigible

January 2023

Helpful
Anne Paquette

Thank you for inviting me to the California Women’s Film Festival (Winter)! Everyone was so nice and accommodating. I enjoyed the Q&A after the showing of the shorts!

January 2023

Helpful
Sarah Attrill

We had a great time at this festival and proud for our film to be selected. The screening quality and sound was excellent and there was a large and attentive audience. Highly recommend!

January 2023

Helpful
Sandra O'Neill

Thank you for inviting Las Rosies to be part of the California Women's Film Festival, it was an honor to be part of the panel and to share the production experience, importance and meaning.

January 2023

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

January 19, 2023
Opening Date
March 10, 2023
Earlybird Deadline
March 31, 2023
Regular Deadline
April 28, 2023
Late Deadline
May 19, 2023
Extended Deadline
June 13, 2023
Freeway Deadline
June 26, 2023
Notification Date
July 14 – 16, 2023
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Short Film
Narrative short films that are 45 minutes or less. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Feature Film
Narrative Feature Films between 45 and 180 minutes. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Documentary Short
Documentary short films that are 45 minutes or less. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Documentary Feature
Documentary Feature Films between 45 and 180 minutes. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Student Film
Student produced or directed films that are under 90 minutes. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Animation
Animated films that are under 60 minutes. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Experimental Film
Experimental films that do not follow a traditional narrative format. Must be under 60 minutes. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Foreign Film
Films that have been produced outside of the U.S. Any length and all genres accepted. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Music Video
Music Videos that are under 30 minutes. All genres are accepted. Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Short Scripts
Film and Television scripts that are under 45 pages. All genres are accepted. Scripts must be written by a woman, co written by a woman and man or the story must be based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now
Feature Scripts
Film and Television scripts that are between 45 and 180 pages. All genres are accepted. Scripts must be written by a woman, co written by a woman and man or the story must be based around women.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Gold Members: $49.50
- Freeway Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Gold Members: $54
Submit Now

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Melissa Bruning

Karin Lee

Anne Paquette

Sarah Attrill

Sandra O'Neill