The Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival is a platform created by filmmakers for filmmakers from around the world to showcase their works, providing educational opportunities, networking forums, and celebrating women filmmakers and artists. Our mission is to amplify their voices and bring to the forefront diverse stories of and about women.

Founded by Bill Volland in response to the inequality in the film industry, our festival is run by a team of filmmakers, volunteers, and members from "Women in Film of Arkansas." We accept all projects that have at least one woman holding a key production position while also welcoming projects produced and/or directed by men, as long as there is a female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.

The festival is located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, a picturesque destination known for its natural hot springs, seven lakes, rich history, health spas, museums, and art galleries. Our festival provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase your projects, with a commitment to helping you achieve the right audience through effective distribution. We look forward to seeing your dreams and ideas come to life at our festival.

Categories include:
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best First Time Filmmaker
JLA Best Arkansas Made Film


Best in Category.
Awards can include trophies, 4 wall screenings, accommodations, tickets and more.

Filmmakers please make your film trailers downloadable. You can request Q & A to follow your screening and can expect personalized, technical and other support from the Festival Staff ... The festival has some related, off site, educational and networking functions, all within walking distance to the festival's venue. the historic Vapors (located in downtown Hot Springs National Park, AR.).

Website for more info:
http://www.hotspringswomensfilmfestival.com

Watch trailers on our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/Hot-Springs-International-Womens-Film-Festival-103623470135515

Filmmakers ourselves, we want to congratulate you, and your crew, on completing your project. We understand what goes into making a film. Throughout the years we have helped filmmakers keep moving forward thru exhibition, education, networking and distribution.
We're here to help... HSWFF CREW

Awards for Best in Category.
Awards can include, trophies, 4 wall screenings, accommodations, sponsored packages, gifts and more.

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.
~By submitting your film, you give us the right to screen your film as part of the film festival
-Fee waivers are not available, except to alumni of the festival.
-We require a "download link" to your film with FilmFreeway tracking ID & contact info.
~(If you have a trailer or press kit, send digital download links only please do not send paper press kits with your screener unless requested.)
-Any DVDs & Blu ray's will not be returned.
-For more information please contact us at hotspringswomensfilmfest@gmail.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. These terms are subject to change at anytime.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Marina Edwards

    Thank you Hot Springs for your recognition!

    October 2023
  • Sandi Bachom

    Thank you for choosing my first film, "True Believers At The Insurrection" as a finalist at your festival. I know you have hundreds of films to choose from so it's an honor when chosen.

    July 2023
  • Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal

    THIS FESTIVAL HAS SUCH A LARGE HEART and I highly recommend submitting.

    Our film BACKLOG had the pleasure of screening this past weekend, and we were grateful to take home the Best Student Film award.

    Due to a family obligation, I was unable to attend, but the programmers (I corresponded a lot with Bill) were incredibly involved and thoughtful. The communication at this festival is incredible and they go out of their way to accommodate filmmakers with discounted rooms and non-stop events and mixers. Hot Springs is also an incredible town, especially to visit this time in the summer, which is why we were so sorry to miss it.

    However the programming was absolutely incredible, with films from all over the world and the awards presented by Joey Lauren Adams (an iconic actress) who is also a women's rights and human rights activist.

    What an incredible festival - one that we will 100% be applying to again and attending.

    *Special note: there was a very human element to this festival. The way they communicated, their true care for filmmaking and filmmakers, and the kind of films they programmed. My biggest regret this year, is being unable to attend in person.

    They seem very in line with their mission statement. What an amazing feeling to know that people are out there who support films and female films for the right reasons. Women in Film Arkansas is involved with the festival.

    Thank you for existing Hot Springs International Women's Film Festival. You've really inspired and encouraged us to keep going on our mission to end the rape kit backlog.

    July 2023
  • Wonderful festival and very helpful and caring team. It was an honor to have The Sisters Karras recognized. We will certainly be returning. Thank you

    July 2023
  • Juliet Landau

    The mission of HOT SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FILM FESTIVAL is visionary! We’re deeply inspired by what Festival Director, Bill Volland, and the whole HSWIFF team have built / are continuing to build: an innovative space for Indie films and female filmmakers. They curate a slate of diverse pictures from all over the world. HSWIFF doesn’t go for uninteresting, cookie-cutter fare. They champion unique, cutting edge, revolutionary, out-of-the-box movies of all genres. They highlight underserved and underrepresented voices…. The festival addresses the inequality in the film Industry.

    We applied because we felt it would be a perfect fit for our project. We loved the mission statement and philosophy of highlighting movies, which have been either directed, produced, edited, shot by, or include a cast driven by women.

    Every event was crafted and carried out with care. The communication prior, during and after the festival was stellar!

    HOT SPRINGS WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL builds community. Meeting fellow filmmakers and seeing their work was inspiring, enlightening and so much fun!

    We are so honored that A PLACE AMONG THE DEAD took home the trophy for BEST FEATURE - FIRST TIME FILMMAKER.

    Festival Director, Bill is a passionate cinephile. He utilizes his experience in the Industry and his knowledge as an International Award-Winning Producer, who worked in many departments in TV and Motion Pictures, to make the festival something truly special. We had the best time and cannot recommend this festival enough! Filmmakers apply!

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Juliet,
    Thank you so much for your awesome review. You and your award winning film ("A Place Among the Dead") left a huge impression on the festival and everyone there. We wish you and your talented crew the very best and cant wait to see more from you in the near future!