Welcome to Reel Equals International Film Festival, a production of Through Women's Eyes in beautiful Sarasota, Florida! Our signature 27th annual festival, Reel Equals, is March 5-10, 2026, and we supplement this with year-round Pop-Up film showings. We are a mission-driven festival, dedicated to supporting upcoming women filmmakers and films that address issues inadequately represented in the mainstream media. We are an international festival, and every year we host significant numbers of films from all over the world.

We frequently select films that go on to commercial success (RBG), publicize the work of voices that need to be heard (Nobel Prize Winner Nadia Murad), and remind the world about issues that need more attention (violence as an act of war in the DRC featuring Nobel Prize Winner Dennis Mukwege).

In 2021, our festival successfully launched on a virtual platform, resulting in our most successful festival yet, with viewers from 38 U.S. states and 13 countries. In 2026, our films will be shown in three ways: in person at theaters in Sarasota (March 5-10, 2026); on our virtual, on-demand platform for a global audience (March 5-10, 2026); and in select, invitation-only settings throughout the calendar year.

PLEASE READ OUR SUBMISSION CRITERIA WITH CARE

We actively seek films that showcase efforts to bring about gender equality, important social themes and current events, films that reflect the LGBTQ+ experience, and films that reflect the full diversity of the globe. We are looking for films that illuminate women's universal experiences and we welcome films from any country. All of our films must be captivating and, if there's some humor, that never hurts!

We accept films:
- made by anyone identifying as female or non-binary; or
- made by any filmmaker whose films focus on women's stories, interests. and lives.

We strongly encourage selected filmmakers to attend our in-person festival; it is a great opportunity to publicize the film, answer questions from the audience, and participate in our receptions and panel discussions with other filmmakers. We have a very engaged base of supporters who host filmmakers and appreciate the entire weekend.

Our organization, Through Women's Eyes, is a non-profit gender equality and advocacy organization.

Awards will be selected for:

Best Feature
Best Short
Best Emerging Filmmaker
TWE Team Choice
New Gate Inspiration Award

Homestays and travel stipends available to filmmakers selected for the festival.

1. All films must be in English OR contain English subtitles. All subtitles must be clearly within the visible frame.

2. All film genres are accepted.

3. Emerging Filmmaker category: to be eligible for the Emerging Filmmaker category, the producer or director must be either under the age of 30 OR enrolled in an accredited film school during the production of the submitted film. Documentation proving one of these criteria is required at the time of submission. For example, submission of a valid government ID or a student card/transcript. Please send documentation to team.throughwomenseyes@gmail.com. If this is your “first” film and you are NOT under 30 or enrolled in an accredited film school, please do not submit in the Emerging Filmmaker category. Your film will not be considered and your submission fee will not be refunded. You may resubmit in the general festival categories.

4. Films must have been completed AFTER December 1, 2023. All film submissions will be reviewed initially by 2 - 3 screeners; high-scoring films will then be reviewed by our advisory panel and referred to a final selection committee.

5. If selected, TWE has the right to use stills, posters, titles, or any information from the submission for promotional purposes.

6. Films that are publicly available prior to our festival, either in theatrical release or through electronic or digital media, or DVD sales, may not be selected. The only exception is showings in recognized film festivals.

7. EXHIBITION COPY OF ALL FILMS ACCEPTED MUST BE IN DCP FORMAT ONLY by upload to our digital partner. THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS EXHIBITION FORMAT. Details will be provided to accepted filmmakers.

8. Films selected for the festival will be shown in both the live and online festival.

9. Films selected for the festival may also be shown throughout the year to select invitation-only audiences.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lindsay Nyman

    From start to finish, this festival was a fantastic experience. Everything was so well run, and the team was incredibly thoughtful and supportive of filmmakers. Thank you for creating such a welcoming environment and for uplifting and platforming women in film. So grateful that They Call Me The Tattoo Witch was part of this wonderful festival!

    May 2025
  • Mohana Rajakumar

    This was an amazing festival because of how communicative the organizers were and how generous they are with free tickets for filmmakers etc.

    Thank you! Would definitely recommend.

    March 2025
  • Kate Kelsen

    FANTASTIC!! I’ve never felt so welcome and supported as I did at this festival. Film selections were incredible and varied, the TWE team was very well-organized from beginning to end, the communication (especially the marketing!) was professional and provided valuable media exposure before, during and after the festival. In addition, we had ample opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers which added to the richness of the experience. I highly recommend this festival!

    March 2025
  • Wonderful organizers! Very communicative and a welcoming environment. So happy "Sam" was selected.

    March 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Laura, your film was a wonderful addition to our festival.

  • Carol McCann

    There are so many good things to say about this festival - beautifully organized, with fantastic hospitality and brilliant curation. I love a festival with a vision - and Through Women's Eyes is clearly focused on equity and broadening our view to truly include diverse experiences. It was an honor to have my film included and I hope I will have another opportunity in the future to be part of this gem of a festival.

    March 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Carol. It is always a delight to get to know our filmmakers, and this year we hit the jackpot! Please come back in the future!