Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival (ITWIFF) is an NYC-based festival dedicated to empowering and showcasing the remarkable talents of independent and emerging women and non-binary filmmakers from around the world.

ITWIFF creates a vibrant platform that amplifies underrepresented voices and celebrates bold, original storytelling across narrative, documentary, short, and immersive works. We champion diverse creators, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and gender-expansive filmmakers, through educational panels, industry networking, and meaningful community-building opportunities.

Congratulations to our incredible ITWIFF alumni on their outstanding achievements at the 97th Academy Awards and the 56th NAACP Image Awards!
We’re thrilled to celebrate I’M NOT A ROBOT, which took home the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, and Superman Doesn't Steal, which took home the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Form (Live Action). These wins are powerful testaments to the talent, vision, and impact of women and underrepresented voices in film. We are beyond proud to have been part of their journey!

Get ready for the 10th Edition of the Imagine This Women’s Film Festival at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas, where you’ll experience an extraordinary lineup of fierce, daring, and visionary films crafted by exceptionally talented women and non-binary storytellers. In addition to thought-provoking screenings, the festival offers dynamic Q&As, educational panels, and exciting special events—making it a joyful and inspiring celebration of creativity and empowerment.

At its core, ITWIFF champions women by sharing their work with the public, advocating for equal opportunities for BIPOC women and LGBTQIA+ creators, providing pathways for educational and professional growth, and serving as a vital resource and support network for underrepresented voices in film.

We welcome submissions from ALL filmmakers and storytellers. To be considered, at least one woman must occupy a pivotal position such as director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, or lead actor.

ITWIFF proudly encourages submissions from BIPOC women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, student filmmakers, and creators from all backgrounds. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion fuels our mission to spotlight a rich spectrum of voices and perspectives.

Join us for a powerful cinematic journey that uplifts, inspires, and redefines representation in film.

Highlighted ITWIFF Alumni Films:

I’M NOT A ROBOT – Directed by Victoria Warmerdam (2024)
Winner – Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards (2025)

Superman Doesn’t Steal – Directed by Tamika Lamison (2024)
Winner – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Form (Live Action) (2025)

Bazigaga – Directed by Jo Ingabire Moys and Stephanie Charmail (2022)
Nominated – BAFTA Film Award for Best British Short Film (2023)

ALA KACHUU – Take and Run – Directed by Maria Brendle (2021)
Nominated – Best Live Action Short Film at the 94th Academy Awards (2022)

Sister Wives – Directed by Louisa Connolly-Burnham (2024)
Oscar and BAFTA Qualified, BIFA Longlisted (2024)

The Runt – Directed by Christy Stratton (2024)
Oscar Qualified (2023)

Sheer Qorma – Directed by Faraz Arif Ansari (2021)
BAFTA Qualified and Shortlisted for consideration (2021)

Reimagined Volume III: Young Thang – Created by Melissa Joyner, Julie Cavaliere & Michaela Holland (2024)
Peabody Award Nominee – Immersive & Interactive category (2024)

Eighty Thousand Steps – Directed by Crystal Chan (2024)
Webby Award Nominee (2023)

She Did That – Directed by Renae Bluitt (2018)
Picked up by Netflix after screening at the Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival

"Imagine This Productions has launched the Women’s International Film Festival with the aim to celebrate and empower independent and aspiring women filmmakers from around the world." - IndieWire

"Celebrate the work of women filmmakers from around the world at the second annual Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival (ITWIFF) in Brooklyn" - AFAR Magazine

"When it comes to film screenings and industry events, there's plenty to get you off the couch this week. From a lesson in copyright licenses to a women's international film festival, read on for the week's top film events to add to your calendar. " - ABC 7

"Recent Hollywood scandals have underscored the importance of supporting women in the film industry, and the second annual Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival is a great place to do so. The films here–which include shorts and features, documentaries and fiction films–are as diverse as the women who made them." - CBS New York

Awards & Prizes

FILMMAKERS:
**ITWIFF Emerging Voices Mentorship in Collaboration with Cutter Connections**
Three winners—Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Emerging Storyteller—will receive a four-month mentorship through the ITWIFF Emerging Voices Mentorship Program in collaboration with Cutter Connections.

Each mentee will be paired with an industry professional who will provide tailored guidance, creative development, and career support. Additionally, mentees will have access to exclusive industry discussions.

SCREENWRITERS:
**The three winning screenwriters will also receive a submission into the 2027/2028 Moonshot Pilot Accelerator.**
This is a highly competitive virtual program designed for emerging women and gender-expansive writers. Selected fellows will participate in a three-week intensive training on pitching and the industry, before pitching directly to major studios and production companies, including HBO and Netflix.

The Moonshot Pilot Accelerator is a highly competitive, virtual program designed for emerging women and gender-expansive TV writers. Selected fellows participate in a 3-week intensive training on pitching and the industry before pitching directly to major studios and production companies like HBO and Netflix.

**Sample Prizes from Previous Years:**
- 12-month ISAConnect membership for the screenplay winner (valued at $120)
- 6-month ISAConnect membership for screenplay finalists (valued at $60)
- EP Movie Magic Budgeting (valued at $279 annually)
- Scriptation (valued at $180 annually)
- Final Draft Software (valued at $250)
- FL Studio (valued at $200 - $800)
- Red Giant (valued at $599 - $899)
- CyberLink PhotoDirector 365 (valued at $38)

FILM AWARDS:
Best Feature Narrative
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Narrative
Best Short Documentary
Best International Narrative Feature
Best International Narrative Short
Best International Documentary Feature
Best International Documentary Short
Best Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay
Best TV Pilot
Best Animated Short
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Sci-Fi
Best Horror
Best Thriller
Best Web Series
Best TV Pilot
Best Music Video
Best Immersive Project
Best Experimental
Best Emerging Storyteller
Best NY Film
Best Screenplay
Best Short Screenplay
Best TV Pilot

Rules & Terms

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible for consideration, each submitted film must credit at least one woman in a key creative role. Eligible positions include: Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Production Designer, and/or Editor

DCP Requirement: If your film is selected, a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) is required for screening.

Captions: All accepted films must include open captions, either burned into the video or submitted as a separate .srt file. Non-English language films must have burned-in English captions.

Submit to Only One Category: Please submit your film to only one category. There is no need to apply to multiple categories.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please read the following agreement carefully. By submitting your film, you expressly acknowledge and agree to be bound by the terms below:

1. Screening Fees
Imagine This Women’s Film Festival is a non-profit organization and does not pay screening fees for unsolicited films.

2. Submission Details
Filmmakers must provide accurate and complete information, including a synopsis, credits, stills, and other required materials. Ensure all submitted information is final and correct.

3. Promotional Materials
If available, please include:
-Film stills (No BTS)
-Press kit and director headshot
-Director filmography
-Trailers (Vimeo or YouTube links)
-Social media handles
These materials help promote your film if selected.

4. Copyright & Rights Clearance
All submitted films must be free of legal disputes. You must own or have secured all necessary rights for music, visuals, and exhibition.

5. Premiere Status (Optional)
We do not require premiere status, but it is encouraged for select categories. If applicable, please indicate if your film is a World, U.S., New York, or Festival premiere.

6. Selection Notifications
All selected filmmakers will be notified by the notification deadline listed on FilmFreeway. Please ensure your contact information is up to date.

7. Festival Rights
By submitting, you grant ITWIFF the right to use clips, stills, and/or the film’s name and information for promotional purposes (festival website, press, social media, etc.).

*There are no refunds for withdrawn submissions once films have been selected.

*If a film is not selected, submission fees are non-refundable.

IF YOUR FILM IS SELECTED

1. Confirmation
Invited projects must confirm their participation within 7 days of notification. Failure to confirm in time may void the selection.

2. Film Format
A DCP file of your film must be submitted within 30 days of the notification deadline. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture of your selection.

3. Indemnification
Filmmakers agree to indemnify and hold harmless Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival from any claims, losses, or damages related to copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, or exhibition.

4. Open Captions Requirement
To support accessibility, all selected films must include open captions. Captions must be clearly legible and accurately synchronized with the film’s dialogue and relevant sound cues. This requirement ensures that all audiences, including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, can fully experience the film.

124 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lindsay Nyman

    This is an exceptional festival in every way. It is so well-run and thoughtfully programmed. The line-up of films was incredible. As a filmmaker, I felt genuinely supported and the communication was wonderful throughout. My film They Call Me The Tattoo Witch was honored with the Best Documentary Short award, and I was fortunate to be selected for the ITWIFF Emerging Voices Mentorship Program as a result, which has been truly invaluable. The most supportive festival and community!

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • Janelle Lee Austin

    Absolutely a wonderful festival with great communication throughout.

    November 2025
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  • Talia Frank-Stempel

    Thank you for such an incredible experience!! We were honored for this to be our Manhattan premiere of Stick Bug and to take part in this remarkable film community. It was really special to be among such talented and driven women filmmakers. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality, communication, and programing as well as your enthusiasm and support for our film.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Andrea Ocampo

    An unforgettable premiere. ITWIFF delivers the warmth of a community-driven fest with the polish of a top-tier one. Seamless tech, thoughtful programming, and sold-out audiences. Grateful for the love, support—and the volunteers who made it all run.

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Destiny Cox

    This was such an incredible festival. There was a lot of great films and I was so privileged to be able to show my short “You Were Dead Yesterday”. The coordinators really care about film!

    October 2025
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