This is a film festival designed to support and promote stories that promote gender equality and have been created by female, non-binary and self-identifying female filmmakers. To be eligible for entry, your entry must meet two criteria, and you must be able to produce evidence of these being met if required by the festival directors:
a. Include at least one female or non-binary or self-identifying female writer, director, cinematographer, producer, or editor in the production team.
b. Include a female or non-binary or self-identifying female protagonist.
All non-English language films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
CWIFF has both a live physical festival run by the association and also an online event run by the organisers and promotes all live and online selectees as part of both festivals. For the live 2024 festival event, at least one key creative team member or lead cast member acting as a representative from a selected film project must attend the physical festival event in person for their selected film to screen there unless; The selected filmmaker is unable to attend a physical screening due to government-imposed covid travel restrictions forbidding entry to France that are in place at the time of the screening in which case the entry may then only be included in the online event.
Films must not have had their French territory cinematic release, or been released on any public online streaming (unless a web-series entry or music video entry), TVOD, or SVOD platform, or completed post-production on their film over 18 months.
By submitting your film or screenplay for consideration to CWIFF you agree to the following Festival Rules, Terms, and Conditions as well as being contacted by CWIFF in relation to its current and future festival competition:
1. I have read all of the CWIFF rules. I understand and agree with the rules.
2. I warrant the submission of my original work, and there are no disputes regarding the ownership or distribution, or exhibition rights of the submission in part or in entirety. I also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and I fully indemnify the CWIFF against any claim made for such violations of law.
3. To the best of my knowledge, the statements herein are true and correct. I understand that failure to adhere to festival rules will result in disqualification from screening and forfeiture of the entry fee.
4. The festival reserves the right to use a clip, and or clips or photos from accepted entries for up to three minutes in length for promotional purposes. The festival reserves the right to screen accepted entries as part of the CWIFF.
5. I agree and hold CWIFF, Inc. harmless from and defend them from all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether groundless or not, based on any film submitted to the festival.
6. CWIFF reserves the right to cancel and modify the schedule with any entry or entry fee and can do so at its discretion.
7. CWIFF has a zero-tolerance policy on abuse and harassment. Any communication deemed aggressive, threatening, abusive, or defaming from any team members will result in immediate disqualification.
8. Non-English speaking submissions must include English subtitles. Screenplays must be submitted in English. Selected films must have French subtitles.
**CWIFF is committed to caring for the health and well-being of our entrants and audience members and playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders. Read below about the latest decisions being made by the CWIFF committee on the impact of COVID-19 and natural disasters on our festival.
**At present our event is scheduled for the last week of May however if unforeseeable natural disasters, isolation laws, or unavoidable venue changes prevent the running of our event the festival date will be slightly altered, postpone or be run online only.
*** CWIFF is a live festival event and the organisers run the online festival completion curated by Clare McCann and in association with Lotl Productions which all selected entries are invited to take part in. The highest-rated selectees are offered a place in the CWIFF association's live festival event.
