International Film Festival Women and the World
Festival Dates: 5 - 12 November, 2026
Location: London, UK
The 3d year of the International Film Festival is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the role of women in defense, peacemaking, and leadership, while highlighting women fighting for their rights in armed conflicts worldwide.
This film festival features screenings of fiction films, documentaries, short films, and outstanding reports by female journalists for television. Festival events include film screenings, festival showcases, industry leader masterclasses, art exhibitions, and panel discussions exploring the theme.
Participants
We honor the roles of women from different countries, explore their experiences, and create a unified platform for reflection and finding equal solutions.
We celebrate women as directors, actresses, producers, journalists, and military influencers. A woman can be the main character of the narrative, a talent, or part of a project team. We accept films from female directors and producers, as well as submissions from male directors if the film focuses on the female experience.
Women in Conflict and Security
Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles worldwide. They are emerging as peacemakers, ambassadors, and defenders, working to build a better future. However, despite these advancements, not a single peace negotiation delegation has included women. Additionally, in many countries, military institutions remain unprepared for female service members, despite their growing presence.
The festival aims to explore cases of progressive nations, share the stories of women leaders and peacemakers, and promote the implementation of these models globally.
In the Spotlight
Women play a crucial role in defense, peacekeeping, and rebuilding societies affected by war. Countries currently experiencing military conflicts - such as Ukraine, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Yemen, and Syria - have countless stories of women who lead, protect, and advocate for peace. These women serve as soldiers, negotiators, human rights activists, and community leaders, often shaping the outcomes of conflicts in ways that remain overlooked.
At the same time, nations that have experienced wars in the past have valuable lessons to share. Countries like the Czech Republic, the USA, Germany, the UK, Italy, Sri Lanka, and Georgia have seen women take on critical roles in post-conflict recovery, governance, and reconciliation. These women’s firsthand accounts of their contributions to security and peace provide a roadmap for future generations.
Key Points
● International film competition across various categories, showcasing female experiences and reflections during times of conflict.
● Competitive selection of frontline television reports, with awards for women working in news journalism.
● Interactive art galleries providing artists with a platform for creative expression.
● Ambassador-led discussions aimed at gathering and organizing humanity's experiences, uniting activists and artists to explore new solutions.
● Exclusive networking events fostering connections among industry professionals and enthusiasts.
● An award ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions to cinema and media.
About Talented U
The festival, organized by "Talented U," aims to highlight the resilience and creativity of women, especially those impacted by conflict. "Talented U" is a London-based non-profit (registration number 15219434) created to support Ukrainian media professionals displaced by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Our mission is to connect Ukrainian refugees, provide purpose, and facilitate their adaptation to life in the UK through professional networking and industry opportunities. We help showcase talent, offer learning experiences, and promote integration into the British film and media industry.
Our goals include:
● Support services for refugee filmmakers
● Combating agitprop and propaganda
● Promoting Ukrainian culture and cinema in the UK
● Educational workshops for refugees and media professionals
We are proud to be ambassadors of the Little Venice Film Festival, with 1 204 participants, 19 workshops, and 9 film screenings, alongside notable partnerships with the Film & TV Charity, Raindance, and Manchester Film Festivals.
More information about our organization can be found on our website: https://talented-ua.uk or https://linktr.ee/talentedu.
Awards & Prizes
● Best Feature Film
● Best Documentary Film
● Best Short Film
● Best Director (all categories)
● Best Performance
● Woman of Global Impact
The festival reserves the right to modify the number and categories of awards based on the submitted films. There is no obligation to present awards in all categories if the selection does not meet the festival's criteria
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November 2025
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Ami Sakurai
November 2025 -
Davoud Abdolmaleki
March 2025 -
Anastasiia Amelicheva
March 2025
