Hello friend of Cinema Femme,
As we come to the end of 2024, I hope you’re able to take a breath and make time for reflection. In light of the recent election, it hasn’t been easy, but I feel a sense of hope for our artistic community. I recently listened to a podcast episode that brightened my perspective where Nancy Pelosi said that art and community is what will save us during these darker times. I truly believe that, especially within the Cinema Femme community!
When I reflect on the past year, I am very proud of what Cinema Femme has accomplished and where we are headed to in 2025. First, Cinema Femme has now officially become an NFP, which means that we can continue the good work we’ve been doing, but with more of a structure and a sustainable future for our team and community. I’m so proud of the board we’ve assembled, and the foundation that we are carefully and thoughtfully building. More on that soon!
During my six-and-a-half years as a leader for Cinema Femme, we have evolved in a very organic way. We started as a magazine with the purpose of shining a light on filmmakers and people in the industry who are underrepresented in our mainstream media, specifically women, non-binary people, and transgender people. Further motivating us are the disparities we’ve seen statistically laid out by organizations like USC Annenberg and the Geena Davis Institute’s research studies, specifically the accolades that are lacking for underrepresented genders in film, particularly in the director category.
The magazine evolved into a community through our readership of emerging filmmakers who were craving this content and the ability to connect with the seasoned filmmakers and industry members we were elevating. I felt Cinema Femme needed a vehicle for connection, which became our film festival and our Breaking Down Walls mentorship program in 2020. Since our festival began in 2020, we’ve had six editions of it along with our mentorship program, including two very successful years at the Music Box Theatre. We are expanding our festival in 2025 with submissions opening January 6th!
As we step into 2025, I look forward to continuing my leadership with Cinema Femme as its Executive Director. The coming year brings exciting opportunities to deepen our impact with our mentorship program retreat, our film festival in July 2025 at the Music Box Theatre, and our digital/print quarterly magazine. Our goal with Cinema Femme is to not only be a thriving community, but a safe space for emerging filmmakers. Please consider donating to support our cause, and our growth in 2025. Donate button below, thank you!
With my sincere gratitude,
Rebecca Martin Fagerholm
Executive Director
Cinema Femme NFP
We appreciate your support! Cinema Femme is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Cinema Femme NFP is a platform for emerging underrepresented filmmakers, which includes women, non-binary people, and transgender people. To support these filmmakers, Cinema Femme NFP showcases their short films, provides education through featured interviews, and offers mentorship with seasoned filmmakers. Cinema Femme is vocal about the need for change onscreen and behind the lens. Cinema Femme shall work with filmmakers to change the industry for the better. Cinema Femme NFP is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
