The Ax Wound Film Festival features an eclectic selection of horror films written and directed by transgender folks, nonbinary individuals, and/or cisgender women filmmakers from around the world.

Our foundational ethos is rooted in and inspired by DIY guerrilla art movements and grassroots activism.

We approach every initiative under our umbrella through an intersectional feminist framework to foster support and amplify the voices of an eclectic community of storytellers whose work spans horror in all its forms in the no-wave, lo-fi, and mainstream spaces.

“Ax Wound showcases features, shorts, and trailers and offers plenty of panels and networking opportunities, plus a long list of attending moviemakers and other guests, all part of a friendly, supportive environment for female talent. Diversity is not just Ax Wound’s mission statement; it also describes the impressive variety of themes and subjects of its showcased films.” -MovieMaker Magazine

About the amazing venue:

The Coolidge Corner Theatre is an independent, nonprofit cinema and cultural institution with four screens and a capacity for over 700 audience members. Since 1933, audiences in the greater Boston area have relied on the Coolidge for the best of contemporary independent film, repertory, and educational programming.
https://coolidge.org/

🎥All eligible filmmakers (regardless of selection) will receive a free one-year digital subscription to Videomaker magazine. The link to claim your gift will be included in decision letters on August 10th.

🎁We do have specific sponsor gifts that will be potential prizes for all selected filmmakers during a transparent and gamified giveaway regardless of ability to attend.

🛍️All visiting Filmmakers get a welcome goodie bag.

🎤All visiting filmmakers are invited to take part in a Q&A on the stage post-screenings.

🎙️Filmmakers unable to attend will be invited to take part in a virtual interview and featured blog posts and provided as many opportunities possible virtually.

🔑Access to private Alumni-only networking channels on our Discord server.

🧷Award statues are fun but hinder critical networking and community building among already marginalized artists. Once selected all filmmakers are entitled to the same opportunities and potential benefits.

If you don't want to keep checking back to this page, consider signing up for our Substack newsletter and get all the updates directly to your https://axwoundfilmfestival.substack.com

-Films must be written and directed by transgender folks, nonbinary individuals, and/or cisgender women to qualify for consideration.

-Please include as much information in your FilmFreeway Submission Record as possible. For example, take time to include non-required fields whenever possible. This includes but is not limited to accurate run time, credits, cover art, trailers, and direct contact information for the filmmakers, etc.

-Ax Wound always considers work regardless of premiere status or completion date.

-If your film is selected all files and accompanying assets must be received by August 30, 2023.

-By submitting you acknowledge all legal permissions associated with your project have been cleared: music, relevant brand imagery, etc

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I cannot say enough good things about this festival, I'm so very glad I made the trip to be there!

    The programming and panel/events were exactly what I did not know I needed and I met some of the most incredible filmmakers/creators out there. I feel honored to have had my short featured among them. Hannah is absolute next level in her vision and execution of this festival, top to bottom.

    The Coolidge Theatre is an absolutely STUNNING venue and the staff were incredibly welcoming.

    I will be returning, even without work to present. This is really something special.

    March 2024
  • Alison Peirse

    Just brilliant, as always. LOVE.

    October 2023
  • Elise Valderrama

    Holy cow what a wonderful festival!! I was just a lonely freak wandering the earth and then I went to Ax Wound and met so many incredible people! Fun, smart, thoughtful--really honored to have been a part of it!

    October 2023
  • Erica Stockwell-Alpert

    I was stunned by the quality of the programming. Every festival I've been to has been wonderful but I've never been to a festival before where I loved every single film in the shorts block. I met some awesome filmmakers too and Hannah is a delight to work with

    October 2023
  • Luana Di Pasquale

    Must apply to this AMAZING 🖤 Film Festival!!!

    February 2022