Femtasia® Fest
presented by Les Femmes Underground International Film Festival

Founded in 2014 and officially launched in 2015, Femtasia® Fest is the first traveling underground film festival in the United States dedicated to showcasing the work of women, femme, and non-binary filmmakers. The festival was conceived following the founder’s attendance at a symposium hosted by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, an organization known for its groundbreaking research and advocacy to combat gender bias and imbalance in the entertainment industry. The symposium highlighted the urgent need for systemic change in media representation, inspiring the formation of a platform rooted in intersectional feminism and artistic innovation.

Premiering in Los Angeles, Femtasia® Fest emerged in response to the ongoing erasure of feminist voices and the underrepresentation of gender-diverse creatives in mainstream cinema. The festival celebrates subversive, genre-defying, and visionary works that challenge dominant narratives and reimagine how women, femme, and non-binary filmmakers are represented on screen. With a focus on emerging and first-time directors, Femtasia® Fest remains committed to amplifying stories that disrupt traditional cinematic boundaries.

Femtasia® Fest is an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In addition to film programming, the organization leads a range of philanthropic and community-centered initiatives. These include Books for Babes, a literacy-based outreach program that distributes books and educational resources to underrepresented youth and families; seasonal wellness drives supporting young people in underserved communities; and collaborative fundraising efforts to promote creative, emotional, and academic enrichment.

Femtasia® Fest is proudly volunteer-run, with a board composed primarily of BIPOC artists, educators, and organizers dedicated to equity, empowerment, and representation across all levels of cultural production. Through its multidisciplinary programming, the festival continues to serve as a vital platform where art, activism, and community care converge.

Awards & Prizes

Jury awards are given for the following categories:
Experimental Feature
Experimental Short
Music Video
Experimental Music Video
Narrative Feature
Documentary Feature
Narrative Short
TV Pilots
Doc Short
Animated Film
Best Acting In A Feature Film
Best Acting In A Short Film

New:
Screen Writing Competition.

Rules & Terms

Films must be produced, directed, written, or edited by women, femme, or non-binary filmmakers.

Submissions from male-identifying filmmakers, including cisgender men, are welcome only if the film centers issues that directly impact women, femme, and non-binary communities, such as social, economic, geographic, or health-related themes.

Femtasia Fest reserves the right to determine whether a film qualifies under this exception.

All non-English language films must have English subtitles or dubbed in English.

First and second time directors encouraged.

Productions must be independently produced, with the maker retaining complete editorial control and copyright. Productions must have been completed after January 1, 2025, and must not have been publicly screened in Los Angeles.

Submission of an entry indicates acceptance of all regulations, guarantee that a screening copy in the format specified will be made available for the dates of the event, and authorization to publicly exhibit the work at Femtasia Fest 2026. If screening copy is to be provided by a distributor or agent then entry must be submitted by that distributor/agent, along with any criteria or conditions.

The party responsible for sending film materials bears the cost of transporting selected films for competition programs. The festival incurs the cost of the films return. If sent via mail, the sender must provide the festival with necessary information regarding its return (date needed by/address/phone number). International parcels should be marked ‘For Cultural Purposes Only/No Commercial Value). The copy will be returned within three weeks after festival completion.
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Karen Leo

    I was very sad not to attend, so many films I would have liked to see! I love the mission and energy of the program and it seems like it was great bunch of artists involved. Very grateful to have been invited and to receive messages from festival goers. Thank you Femtasia!

    June 2026
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  • Jennifer Linton

    2026 marked the third occasion when one of my short films has been programmed into Femtasia. Though I've been unable to personally attend due to financial constraints, I've always found the communication between the festival and the filmmakers to be exemplary. They're very active on social media and have consistently proven excellent in their promotion of each individual filmmaker, which is definitely not something you experience at most other festivals. High recommend submitting your film.

    May 2026
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  • Jasmine De Silva

    I loved Femtasia! Was such a pleasure to be a part of such a supportive festival that showcased an amazing selection of films

    May 2026
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  • Nancy Andrews

    I was unable to attend but this festival looks truly interesting. I appreciated being selected, the communication and social media was handled very well. Thank you!

    May 2026
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  • Megan Rigoni

    I was truly honoured to receive a jury award for outstanding writing at this year's Femtasia Festival. Your wonderful communication and promo on social media is brilliant. Thank you so much for this recognition!

    May 2026
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