The 2024 Davis Feminist Film Festival (DFFF) is accepting submissions from October 1, 2023 through November 1, 2023. The 2024 festival will be held in person on May 2–3 at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art in Davis, California, USA.

The Davis Feminist Film Festival is an annual grassroots event that uses alternative media to link art to social issues. DFFF showcases independent film (including documentary, narrative, and experimental genres) in order to explore perspectives often missing from mainstream media and culture. Now, the Davis Feminist Film Festival is increasingly international in scope and provides an inclusive public space for artists at the margins—particularly those with marginalized racial and/or gender identities—to raise consciousness about gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, nationality, ability, and the many other dimensions of social inequality. DFFF is an inspiring, community-building event for artists and audiences alike that takes place each May in Davis, California.

DFFF welcomes short films from local, national, and international creators, and from professionals, students, and community members alike. People whose identities and perspectives are underrepresented in mainstream media are especially encouraged to submit their work for consideration. All films must not run longer than 25 minutes.

DFFF was established in 2005 as a fundraiser for internships with grassroots feminist non-profit organizations. It was originally managed by the Gender and Global Issues (GGI) program as part of the Women and Gender Studies Department at the University of California, Davis. In 2007, when funding for GGI ended, the Consortium for Women and Research partnered with other campus units to sustain and grow the festival until 2014. Since 2015, the Davis Feminist Film Festival has been managed by the UC Davis Women's Resources and Research Center. DFFF is now in its nineteenth year.

For inquiries about the 2024 festival, please email femfilmfestdavis@gmail.com.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for consideration, a film must meet at least two of the following four criteria:

1) The film centers gender and social justice.
2) The film links local and global issues.
3) The film was created by people underrepresented in mainstream media, particularly but not limited to those who identify as women/womxn, femmes, people of color, Native, Black, queer, transgender, nonbinary/gender-expansive, and/or disabled.
4) The film was created by people from the Davis/Sacramento/Central Valley region.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1) Video file: minimum 1080p downloadable; total runtime must not exceed 25 minutes. Note that we are not able to screen DCPs; please submit in .mp4 or a comparable format.
2) Synopsis (300-word maximum)
3) Application statement: a brief note that addresses how the film fits at least two of the four eligibility criteria
4) Open captions/subtitles: to improve festival access, all films must include open (“burned in”) captions in English

A separate submission must be prepared for each film under consideration. Although reasonable care will be taken to protect submissions from loss or damage, the Regents of the University of California do not assume responsibility for films submitted to DFFF.

Films will not be considered for curation and exhibition unless all submission requirements are complete. Please ensure that your contact information on FilmFreeway is accurate in case DFFF staff must contact you for additional information; lack of response may be reason to remove your submission from consideration.

DAVIS FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSION AGREEMENT

Exhibition: Submitted works will be reviewed by the festival curation team before some are selected for public exhibition. By submitting a film, I understand that it may be screened for public exhibition as part of the 2024 Davis Feminist Film Festival and I authorize the UC Davis festival organizers to exhibit my film, should they choose to do so. At their discretion, festival organizers may also reproduce and distribute marketing materials related to my film, such as film posters.

Permissions and Rights: I have obtained written permissions and rights to use all of the copyrighted material contained in my submitted work, including but not limited to consents from actors and music licenses for any commercial music. I will provide proof of such permissions upon request. I will be fully responsible for any problems, legal or otherwise, resulting from failure to obtain proper consents, releases, or licenses.

Post-Selection Procedures: At the discretion of festival organizers, exhibited works may be archived in a UC Davis campus library. The Regents of the University of California is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

Overall Rating
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  • Amazing Festival. Thank you to everyone at DAVIS Feminist FF for their vision !

    May 2023
  • Gisela Chicolino

    A festival on this topic is really a necessary one. Please keep working on generating this exquisite programming for the audiences.

    July 2022
  • Tatiany Furuse

    A HUGE honor to be part of this Festival. Gratitude for fighting for us women, minorities and vulnerable! Gratitude for all work, dedication and achievements. The world is much better with you!

    July 2022
  • Sarah Carlot Jaber

    Thank you so much ! <3

    May 2022
  • Fred MASCARAS

    Amazing selection of films ! Very honoured to be part of this festival, thank you very much, longue vie au Davis Feminist Film Festival!!

    May 2022