The Hot Springs International Women’s Film Festival (HSWFF) is presented by the Hot Springs Arts & Film Institute. The festival celebrates women filmmakers and artists by providing a venue and networking forum at the historic Central Theater in Hot Springs National Park, AR. USA.

The HSWFF believes it is important to hear and see the educated, entertaining and diverse stories of women from around the world. We provide a platform for networking and sharing your visions, the Historic Central Theater located in downtown Hot Springs National Park, AR. The theater boasts the charm of the1930's with a large movie screen and the latest sound & digital projection. "Hot Springs" is surrounded by seven lakes, it's home to the world famous "Bathhouse Row," and known for it's rich history, health spas, museums, art galleries, natural hot springs, film festivals and tourist attractions.

HSWFF accepts all projects that have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.

Categories include:

Short Film
Feature Film
Documentary Short
Documentary Feature
Student Film
Animation
Experimental Film

Awards for Best in Category.
Awards can include trophies, 4 wall screenings, accommodations, "Fast Tracked" into "Film Com," and more

Filmmakers can request Q & A to follow their screening and expect personalized & technical support from the Central Theater and Festival Staff ... The festival may have related functions at nearby schools, hotels and restaurants all within walking distance to the festival's Historic Central Theater (located in the heart of downtown Hot Springs).

Discounts for accommodations may be available please see our website for more info:
http://www.hotspringswomensfilmfestival.com
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Hot-Springs-International-Womens-Film-Festival-103623470135515

We are filmmakers for filmmakers at this festival and want you to know, we are here for you. If there is anything we can do to help move you and your film forward, distribution help, 4 walling or anything else you might be considering get us an email or find us at the festival.

Awards & Prizes

Awards for Best in Category.
Awards can include, 4 wall screenings, accommodations trophies and more.
BEST IN CATEGORY receive an InkTip listing to promote themselves and their scripts to InkTip’s entire network of producers, managers, and agents. Some companies who are InkTip members include: ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot, 20th Century Fox, and many more.  and more.
Some filmmakers may get help with distribution and "fast tracked" into "Film Com" for a chance to "pitch" face to face to network executives and indie financiers.

Rules & Terms

Hot Springs International Women’s Film Festival's General Rules:
-Projects must have at least one woman in one of the "key" production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Lead Actress, Etc...)
-Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
-All genres are accepted.
-Submissions in languages other than English must be subtitled or dubbed.
-The entry fee is per category.
-Entry fee is non-refundable.
-Fee waivers are not available.
-DVDs and Blu rays must clearly be labeled with FilmFreeway tracking ID & contact info
-Please do not send paper press kits with your screener unless requested.
-DVDs & Blu ray's will not be returned.
-For more information please contact us at info@hotspringswomensfilmfestival.com

I agree to the terms outlined in the General Festival Rules for the Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival (HSWFF).
The Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival (HSWFF) and the Hot Springs Arts & Film Institute from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening and other festival related activities. We reserve the right to not screen any submitted film for any reason at our own discretion.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eric Mann

    Was a wonderful festival to be a part of and so honored to be up there with so many wonderful films! A great festival with great people and they are only in their second year. Thanks for including Without a Mirror in your programing and for sharing all the stories from the festival!

    May 2019
    Helpful
  • Letitia Capili

    Sadly, we weren't able to attend this festival in person, but we still highly recommend it! They were very easy to communicate with and the quality of the film selection was EXCELLENT!

    April 2019
    Helpful
  • Melissa Davey

    Although only in its' second year, the Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival is the best I have attended so far. From the first communication the festival Director was welcoming and available for ongoing communication leading up to the festival. They did a very good job of using social media to announce the event as well as significant coverage about each film that would be screened. Even though the festival is small in number of attendees there were quality individuals available for networking. They had excellent speakers and the judges chose a wide variety of excellent films for viewing. The venue is the historic Central Theatre in Hot Springs which is a wonderful theatre and the perfect place for a festival. The staff and volunteers were attentive and always available when needed. Receiving the Audience Award was the icing on the cake. I highly recommend submitting your film to this festival as they are truly supportive of women's issues and films made by women. I will go again, even if I do not have a new film to show.

    April 2019
    Helpful
  • Sandra Luckow

    It was an honor to be the Keynote speaker and then unexpected recipient of Best Documentary Feature at the inaugural Hot Springs International Film Women’s Film Festival. With all of the other festivals out there, it would seem a fool’s folly to want to start a festival, but the need and desire for such a festival was apparent in this history-filled little town. So many classic genre films such as the gangster and baseball movies have scenes taken from the pages of Hot Springs history. The Central Cinema is as much a museum of film history as it is a movie theater. Even on display across the street from the theater was the crane Hitchcock used in many of his films. It a destination for a movie fan and thrill to fill connected to it all as a filmmaker. As this festival grows in prominence, I hope it will retain the personal and intimate feel of someplace special.

    March 2018
    Helpful
    Tmp 22398 hsiwff final375496962
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Sandra for helping make the 1st Annual one to remember.

  • Susan Rivo

    I was not able to attend, unfortunately, but Festival organizers were very communicative and helpful.

    March 2018
    Helpful
    Tmp 22398 hsiwff final375496962
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, hope you can make it next year.