NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS to the 17th Annual Festival Celebration! A 5 star rated film festival and consistently ranked in the Top 100 on FilmFreeway. Lady Filmmakers Festival elevates the festival experience and is a trend-setting and forward-thinking film festival known by veteran Hollywood insiders and rising indie filmmakers alike for screening outstanding films from around the world. It's screenplay scene workshop, top notch speakers and upscale networking events makes it a must attend event each year. Lady Filmmakers is dedicated to creating a classy, fun and fulfilling festival experience dedicated to enhancing personal, professional and creative growth while promoting women, diversity, equity and inclusion. All festival screenings and parties take place IN PERSON in the world-famous Beverly Hills, California. We screen at the beautiful and historic 400 seat Fine Arts Theater with the highest quality sound and projection.

We are a great platform for successful filmmakers and actors as well as a springboard for undiscovered talent like first-time directors with a truly wonderful artistic, cinematic vision and voice. The festival directors are filmmakers too & understand what it's like on both sides of a festival and try to provide as many wonderful experiences and opportunities to our Official Selection Attendees and Cinephiles alike.

Lady Filmmakers celebrates diverse women in leadership roles and the men that hire, work with, and work for these talented female storytellers. The week long festival includes film screenings, script readings, musical performances, art exhibitions, industry panels, networking events and of course hosted parties with live entertainment!

Lady Filmmakers looks for great storytelling in any genre and length! At least one woman must fill the role of Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Production Designer and/or Editor to qualify to screen at our festival. Our main programming themes are:

*Ladies Illuminate- documentaries, social awareness, or family issue films
*Ladies Kick Butt- action, comedies, or experimental films
*Dance- music videos and dance films
*Family Friendly- films appropriate for families with children
*Halloween Teasers- horror, thrillers, scary, creepy, and/or freaky films

Short Screenplay finalists will get a staged reading in front of a live audience at the festival. One or more shorts may be optioned to participate in the Script 2 Screen Program.

1 Feature Screenplay and 1 Short Screenplay finalist will be offered a taped table read of their script. The festival will provide the space for the table read along with assisting the writer with finding a director for the reading and helping with casting.

Musician finalists are invited to perform at one of the parties during the festival. Art finalists are invited to exhibit art during one of the festival events.

Long after the festival is complete we continue to promote our "Alumni" filmmakers, cast, and crew throughout the year!

Awards & Prizes

Best of the Festival and Best Short Film receive Tiffany gifts. All actress/actor winners will receive Tiffany gifts if present to receive award at Sunday ceremony. For in person ceremonies only.

Online Distribution offers will be made to award winning films and more.
Top awards will receive a copy of Final Draft.

BEST OF THE FESTIVAL (Feature)
BEST SHORT FILM

FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Documentary
Best Foreign Film
Best Ladies Illuminate
Best Ladies Kick Butt

SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Ladies First
Best Ladies Illuminate
Best Ladies Kick Butt
Best Alumni
Best Animation
Best Comedy
Best Dance
Best Documentary
Best Experimental
Best Family Friendly
Best Foreign
Best Halloween Teaser
Best Music Video
Best Student
Best Webisode
Jury Awards

ACTRESS/ACTOR AWARDS
Best Actress (feature & short)
Best Actor (feature & short)
Best Supporting Actress (feature & short)
Best Supporting Actor (feature & short)

SCRIPTS
Feature Finalists
Short Script Finalists

Rules & Terms

FILM SUBMISSIONS- At least one woman must be credited in one of the following positions in each selected film: Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Production Designer, and/or Editor.

-Screeners: We only watch submissions visible through the FilmFreeway portal (no download files or Google Drive screeners.)

-Submission fee waivers: Lady Filmmakers does not offer any fee waivers at this time. Please submit during early deadlines for lowest fees.

-Selected Films: Official Selections will get a web page dedicated to their film and have an opportunity to participate in the online and theatrical festival trailer. Official Selections will also receive dedicated posts on social media prior to the festival

-Exhibition materials: All selected films must provide a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) or work with our sponsor Simple DCP to produce a DCP from their source files (for a fee).

MUSIC SUBMISSIONS - Send a maximum of ten minutes of a musical performance. Must be the actual selection that would be performed live and acoustically at the festival. Musical performances will be at festival events. Performances are LIVE only. No recorded music will be played.

ART EXHIBIT SUBMISSIONS - Art Exhibits include Photography, Paintings, and Sculptures to be displayed at a party venue. The Artist must be a woman OR the subject matter must include women. Artwork will be provided to the festival at the artists expense. Artwork will only be returned to the artist by request at expense of artist.

*venue, screening theater and date subject to change to meet the needs of the festival
149 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lauren Stava

    Lady Filmmakers Festival is an incredible experience, you don't want to miss out! There are so many fun networking opportunities to attend, from beautiful dinners to informative panel sessions, all located in the heart of Beverly Hills. And the theatre where the screenings are held is truly one of a kind. The memories made and and new relationships formed will be something our team always cherishes about this festival.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Jenna Macari

    Lady FIlmmakers Festival is a glorious time. The industry panels were top notch, the meals and events were first class yumminess, and everyone involved was a delight. Kindness abounds at this festival for "women fimmakers and the men who work with them and support them." This should definitely gain Oscar-qualifying status, so more people will be turned on to the great things happening here.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Lauren Freedman

    This festival was a phenomenal experience. The programmers really value their filmmakers and put together a first class event. The theatre and restaurants where the welcome events were held were very high quality. Participating in this was so encouraging and fun. The staff know all of the films and make you feel welcome and appreciated. I met other talented passionate filmmakers and learned a lot in the process. Do not hesitate to apply to this wonderful festival!

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Bella Zoe Martinez

    Lady Filmmakers is a class act. Our short film / autism project Once More, Like Rain Man was in the festival, with our lead actress, Bella Zoe Martinez, taking home the award for Best Young Actress. Located in Beverly Hills, the networking and events are nothing but 5 star. They have panels, receptions, networking breakfasts and I made a few friends! They are quick to respond to questions, well organized and really help promote your film.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Nora Williams

    This festival surpassed our expectations! The venue for screenings was gorgeous, the parties were first class and the panels were deeply insightful. The networking and conversations are going to allow for more doors to open to other projects, I have a feeling. The communication was very good, even thought the amount of information necessary for this kind of festival was copious. We are honored to have participated and received an award. Thank you!!

    October 2024
    Helpful