🎬 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival Returns to the Music Box Theatre, July 17–21, 2025
Opening Night Reception, Dynamic Panels, Celebrated Shorts, and Awards Presentation Among the Highlights
CHICAGO, IL — June 20, 2025 — Cinema Femme is proud to announce the full lineup for the 2025 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival, returning July 17–21 to the iconic Music Box Theatre in Chicago. Celebrating bold new work by women and non-binary filmmakers, the five-day festival brings together filmmakers, producers, and creatives for screenings, panels, networking events, and more. Visit cinemafemme.eventive.org for more information.
This year, we are thrilled to announce key additions and returning talent to the leadership of the Cinema Femme Short Film Festival, bringing a wealth of experience and creativity to our mission of elevating emerging voices in film.
Emily Broderick has been named Festival Director, following her impactful leadership of operations during Cinema Femme Short Film Festival 2024. Emily’s industry experience includes roles with the Sundance Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, and Champs-Élysées Film Festival, making her uniquely suited to guide the festival through its next chapter.
“I’m honored to step into this role and continue building a platform that uplifts fresh, intersectional voices in film. The Cinema Femme community is truly something special, and I’m excited to help shape its future.” — Emily Broderick, Festival Director
Festival Programming was led by the dynamic duo Emily Jacobson and Peyton Robinson, who brought sharp curatorial insight and deep commitment to championing diverse cinematic perspectives. The programming team was rounded out by 2 contributing programmers, Elide Malagamba and Amber Bishop whose work and input was invaluable as we had a record 233 short film submissions this year.
“This year’s fest is full of versatile films: inspiring, inventive, and touching. From the side-splitting to the psychically tender and back again, there’s something for, and by, everyone.” — Peyton Robinson, Senior Programmer
We also proudly welcome Veronica Miles as our Mentorship Director. Veronica brings over a decade of experience in film exhibition and creative program innovation, with a portfolio that spans producing large-scale outdoor screenings, managing cinemas, and contributing to world-class festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, AFI Fest, New Zealand International Film Festival, and TCM Fest.
“Mentorship is crucial for emerging filmmakers. Through our short film festival, Cinema Femme opens doors—regardless of background, age, or industry access—offering mentorship based on the strength of our finalists’ work and their career drive. By expanding opportunity, we’re helping build a future where more women and non-binary directors can thrive and pursue their dreams.” – Veronica Miles, Mentorship Director
Alissa Pocius returns as Social Media Director, and Celia Simon serves as Marketing Director.
Announcing the 2025 Breaking Down Walls Mentors – 7th Edition
We are proud to unveil the mentors for the seventh edition of Breaking Down Walls, Cinema Femme’s impactful mentorship program supporting emerging women, trans, and gender-expansive filmmakers.This year’s mentorship cohort features four visionary directors whose work spans genres, platforms, and powerful storytelling:
Tchaiko Omawale
Writer-director Tchaiko Omawale has established herself as a powerful voice in independent cinema, with work that explores identity, resilience, and transformation. Her acclaimed debut feature Solace premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and has since become a touchstone for personal, emotionally resonant storytelling.
David Bruckner
Known for his bold and genre-defying filmmaking, David Bruckner brings a wealth of experience as the director of The Night House, Hellraiser (2022), and segments in V/H/S and The Signal. He offers an invaluable perspective on pushing creative boundaries within the horror and thriller landscape.
Lisa France
Award-winning director Lisa France is celebrated for her documentary Roll with Me, a deeply human and uplifting story that premiered at the 2017 Slamdance Film Festival. Her career spans both narrative and documentary filmmaking, with a commitment to authentic storytelling and social impact.
Valerie Weiss
A filmmaker and scientist, Valerie Weiss brings a singular perspective to the screen. Known for directing Outer Banks, Echoes, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and the feature Mixtape (Netflix), she balances emotional depth with visual storytelling across genres. Her work is defined by empathy, intelligence, and a deep belief in the power of character-driven narratives.
These mentors bring a unique combination of insight, experience, and passion to the program, continuing our mission to support filmmakers in their artistic and professional journeys.
Stay tuned for the mentee recipients during our awards on Sunday, July 20th, and follow along as we highlight the powerful collaborations coming out of this year’s program.
🎟️ FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
📅 Thursday, July 17 – Opening Night
- 6:00 PM – Opening Night Welcome Reception @ Music Box Theatre
- 7:00 PM – Opening Night Screening: Best of Fest Retrospective @ Music Box Theatre
- 9:00 PM – Opening Night Party (Music Box Theatre Lounge)
📅 Friday, July 18
- 4:30 PM – Shorts Program 1 (Theatre 2)
- 7:00 PM – Noisefloor Post-Credits Cocktail Party at Music Box Theatre
📅 Saturday, July 19
- 1:00 PM – Post-Production for Producers presented by Journeywork at Music Box
- 2:45 PM – Spotlight Panel: DePaul & CHA Collaboration at Music Box Theatre
- 4:30 PM – Shorts Program 2 at Music Box Theatre
- 7:30 PM – Filmmaker Reception at Alma | Hotel Zachary
📅 Sunday, July 20
- 10:30 AM – Cinema Femme Members Coffee & Chat at Music Box Theatre
- 11:30 AM – Shorts Program 3 at Music Box Theatre
- 1:30 PM – Mezcla Media Collective x CFSFF25 Panel at Music Box Theatre
- 3:00 PM – Tribute: Catherine Coulson – The Missing Pieces at Music Box Theatre
- 4:30 PM – 2025 Awards Presentation at Music Box Theatre
📅 Monday, July 21 – Closing Night
- 6:00 PM – Closing Night Welcome Reception at Music Box Theatre
- 7:00 PM – Closing Night Screening at Music Box Theatre
🎟️ FESTIVAL SCREENING PROGRAM
Opening Night Screening – Best of Fest Retrospective
Thursday, July 17, 2025 7-9pm
Looking back on the first 6 years of our festival we are screening some of our favorite films that have made our festival what it is today.
Papi directed by Gabriela Ortega (2020)
A daughter documents her youthful father as he introduces her to the world of 4×4 Overlanding travels. Tracing him from the passenger seat, she uses memory and a special day at the beach in the Dominican Republic to capture her father’s vibrant, at times performative, and always loving, spirit.
Prom Time! directed by Jessica Liu (2021)
Upon overhearing her teen daughters recount their dating experiences while getting ready on prom night, Judy accidentally drugs herself with Chinese herbal medicine spiraling her into a gaudy sexual fantasy with the class hunk.
Pluma directed by Clelia Goodchild (2022)
In Barcelona, the Pluma family of Drag Queens and Kings strives to build a community based on freedom of expression, artistic endeavour and mutual support. With the city as their stage, they share the essence of their duality, while navigating the challenges that life throws their way.
Rough River Lake directed by Mary Tilden (2022)
A group of queer best friends arrive at the lake for the perfect getaway. Their Gaycation gets interrupted when the group discovers the lake house has been double booked by a bachelor party.
Caroline directed by Juli Del Prete (2023)
A young actress’s audition for a major movie takes an unexpected turn.
Places of Worship directed by Bridget Frances Harris (2024)
After an incident following Sunday mass, a Catholic altar server starts having visions of The Virgin Mary, forcing her to confront queer feelings for a movie theater coworker.
Shorts Program 1 – On the Threshold
Stories of mothers, lovers, and seekers standing at the edge of what comes next.
Friday, July 18, 2025 4:30-6:30pm
Where’s South? directed by Lua Borges & João Rubio Rubinato
Starring Lua Borges, Nate Williams, Ian Schultz, Amanda Tan
Amidst strange encounters in her life and work, Helena, a Brazilian filmmaker living in Chicago, is struck by a compelling obvious question: Where’s south?
Stronghold directed by Meghann Artes
Starring Ora Jones, London Wygant, Angela Morris
When a group home for boys closes and a single mother who has regained custody of her son does not show up on the final day, the house mother must go in search of the boy’s mom before heading off to her new life where she hopes to reconcile with her own estranged daughter.
C.O.M.A. directed by Elizabeth Rohrbaugh
Starring Natalie Gold, Jon Glaser, Purva Bedi, Isabella Farrell
Bambi can’t poop. She’s a Brooklyn mom and has the clogs, PTA job and pelvic floor therapist to prove it. And no matter how many visualizations she does, her bowels are failing. Her daughter is being bullied at school and her husband is obsessed with LEGO sets. But maybe revenge will finally get her going.
Something Blue directed by Jinsui Song
Starring Valerie Yu, Alice Ko, Katie Chan
Emily returns home to attend her cousin’s wedding. In this jovial setting, she struggles to confront the source of her past trauma.
INSIDE directed by Mahtab Pishghadam
Starring Aynaz Aghasi
Mahtab unexpectedly has to face her inner reality…
Before You directed by Lauren Melinda
Starring Tala Ashe (Tony-nominated), Adam Rodriguez
Looking back on her first pregnancy, a woman navigates the echoes of a life-changing loss.
The Other Partners directed by Destinee Stewart
Starring Lowam Eyasu, Kunal Dudheker
Rowyn’s unabashed love for self-care is discovered when her boyfriend, Raj, innocently stumbles upon her dildo in a kitchen drawer while preparing for a dinner party. What ensues is a comedic battle of the sexes as Raj expresses his discomfort and Rowyn stands up for her right to masturbate.
Don’t Come Home Before Midnight directed by Allison Torem
Starring Bradley Grant Smith, Meg Thalken, Danny Rhodes
An amateur detective determined to crack his first case. A corrupt youth tennis camp owner equal parts ruthless and lazy. An insatiable homemaker. A struggling single mother who just wants a better life for her children self. “Don’t Come Home Before Midnight” is a short existential comedy about the theatrical nature of adult life and the absurdity of American values.
Shorts Program 2 – What We Hold
From quiet burdens to unspoken truths, intimate stories of identity, desire, and the strength to endure.
Saturday, July 19, 2025 4:30-6:30pm
Patron Saint Buffalo Bill directed by Lily McCauley
Starring Lily McCauley
The image of Buffalo Bill is reclaimed and transformed into a celebration of Transsexual Monstrosity.
Spanked by a Ghost directed by Katelyn Douglass
Starring Lindsy Li, Brandon Daley
Alone in her home, a woman is spanked by an unseen entity, awakening a force she cannot control. “Spanked by a Ghost” is a dreamy horror-comedy about desire, loneliness, and the unexpected ways we reach for connection.
Better Life directed by Jessica Liu
Starring Randall Park,Richard Ouyang, Peggy Lu, Terry Hu
When a groundbreaking medical procedure promises to turn slackers into overachievers, an aging father sees it as his last chance to achieve the American Dream-through his unemployed adult daughter.
Come Sit With Us directed by Elis Rumma
Starring Maria Teresa Kalmet, Saara Pius, Laura Peterson-Aardam
Lola ends up sitting on a bench with local women on Midsummer Eve. At first, all women’s troubles are alien to her, but as the evening progresses, she begins to question her current perspectives, and as a result of the long benching, she grows up with the country women in her own way.
7 fois directed by Christine Wiederkehr
Starring Luna Wedler, Vidal Arzoni, Mona Petri, Antonin Schopfer, Manu Annoni
One afternoon, Elio, a young and very polite boy, meets his tutor’s secret mistress. This unexpected encounter compels him to confide his own feelings for his tutor. Later, he reveals even more secrets.
Merci, Poppy directed by Hanna Gray Organschi
Starring Victoria Pedretti, Paul Fitzgerald, Abigail Zealey Bess, with Sydney Lemmon
A scrappy assistant reaches her breaking point when her charismatic, self-obsessed boss blows off her request for a promotion.
Just Kidding, I Actually Love You directed by Anna Rose Duckworth
Starring Rhiannon McCall, Arlo Gibson, Tom Clarke
A bittersweet romantic comedy about a runaway fiancée who returns home to win her ex back with a surprise romantic gesture. Confronted with evidence that he’s happier without her—and a disturbing realization she might be the asshole—she must decide between her selfish fantasy or his happiness.
Munchies directed by Brittany Alexia Young
Starring Brianne Jackson, Caroline Buddendorf, Yamini Nambimadom, Bianca Rojas,
Four estranged college girls reunite for a summer night, getting high together. Their sleepover takes a hilariously dark turn when their junk food cravings land them in the middle of a botched convenience store robbery. Despite becoming hostages, the girls are still stoned as f*ck. In their inebriated plan of escape, things go terribly wrong – leaving them intertwined forever.
Shorts Program 3 – What Breaks Through
Exploring identity, family, and the personal moments when hidden struggles quietly break through.
Sunday, July 20, 2025 4:30-6:30pm
In Another Life directed by Tristan Blue
Starring William Jackson & Tristan Blue
An elder queer hermit searches through coastal soundscapes in pursuit of a mysterious cave they believe will allow them to commune with a past self.
The Truck directed by Elizabeth Rao
Starring Shirley Chen, Daniel Zolghadri, Garrett Richmond
A Chinese American teenager and her boyfriend set out to buy the morning after pill in post-Roe America.
The Finger Wife directed by Taryn Stickrath-Hutt & Dan Lund
Starring Taryn Stickrath-Hutt, Bruce Wright, Kellie Hoover, Carlos Luna, Grady Hutt
It’s 1975. A smart, ambitious woman (The Wife) is stuck in the kitchen. When feisty, martini-drinking Betty steps out of a 1950s cookbook, The Wife is confronted with what she really wants out of life (it’s not to make another meatloaf). Faced with Betty’s tough love and in a desperate effort to find one damn minute for herself, The Wife takes matters into her own hands, with gleefully horrific results.
Under the Water directed by Isabella Andronos
Starring Tahlia Sturzaker, Ben Brock, Stephanie Begg
An eleven-year-old girl, targeted by misogynistic taunts and violence, retreats into the half-forgotten pages of a childhood storybook about the sirens of the sea. As strange events pull her toward the ocean, she finds the power in herself to rise up and fight back.
Private Moments directed by Jessica Barr
Starring Lea Zawada, Kailey Rhodes, Eddie Lee Wollrabe, Skyler Verity, Emma Duvall
A withdrawn teen is pushed to her limits when an acting class blurs the line between performance and personal truth.
A Black Hole Near Kent County directed by Hannah Schierbeek
Starring Nathalia Acevedo, Mariea Luisa Macavei, Cing Dim
During a cold Midwestern winter, Julie, a factory driver with a mysterious illness, attempts to unravel the truth behind the loneliness and the decay that plague her and her industrial town’s waterways.
August & Ebony directed by Sunyin Zhang
Starring Ayesha Harris, John Clarence Stewart, Rejena Taylor
Ebony, who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a U-Haul marriage, has to referee between her new wife, August and best friend-turned-child’s father, Justin, while finding her footing as a mother-to-be.
Finding Daddy directed by Emily Wilson
Starring Lauren Servideo, Cricket Arrison, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Manzi Deoyung
Sisters Dinky and Flossy are truly at rock bottom, but when they discover their estranged deadbeat dad flaunting wealth online, they pay him a visit to uncover the truth…and maybe some cash.
Closing Night Screening – Short Films Big Impact
Monday, July 21, 2025 7-9pm
On our closing night, we will celebrate four powerful short films that address important social issues we care deeply about. Stay tuned—we’ll be announcing more details soon about our panelists and partner organizations who are helping make this event impactful.
🎤 FESTIVAL PROGRAM – Panels & Events
Post-Production for Producers Panel: presented by Journeywork Entertainment
Saturday, July 19, 2025 1:00 PM CDT
Join us for a dynamic panel exploring how producers can set their films up for post-production success—starting as early as pre-production. Featuring experts from Quicksilver Color, Anachrony Post and more, this discussion will dive into best practices, workflows, and strategic planning to ensure a smooth and efficient post process from day one. Panelists TBA
Spotlight Panel: DePaul & CHA
Saturday, July 19, 2025 2:45 PM CDT
A look at 3 films made by DePaul+CHA Youth Filmmakers followed by a panel with the filmmakers to talk about their process, their involvement in the program, and their budding careers – Panelists TBA
DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts partners with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) to offer sixteen female-identifying youth (ages 15-24) an opportunity to learn how to make impactful short films. The goal of the summer program is to give young women, mostly from Chicago’s South and West Sides, a voice on the social issues that concern them most. Each filmmaking team is supported by an accomplished filmmaker and a DePaul grad student mentor.
The DePaul + CHA youth partnership has grown to include three other programs: Next Level Photography, Movie & TV Scripts 101, and Game & Graphic Design.
Program Director: Liliane Calfee | Program Admin: Michael Flores
Mezcla Media Collective x CFSFF25 Panel
Sunday, July 20, 2025 1:30 PM CDT
We’re excited to be partnering with Mezcla Media Collective on this panel. Topic and panelists TBA.
Catherine Coulson: The Missing Pieces
Sunday, July 20, 2025 3:00 PM CDT
This year, the Cinema Femme Short Film Festival is honored to pay tribute to the extraordinary Catherine Coulson—beloved by many as the unforgettable Log Lady in Twin Peaks, and remembered by those who knew her as a pioneer behind the camera and a passionate advocate for justice.
In this intimate panel, we uncover the “missing pieces” of Catherine’s rich and multifaceted story through the voices of those closest to her:
- Zoey Yinge, her daughter, sharing reflections on her mother’s life as an activist and advocate.
- Jenny Sullivan, fellow actor and producer, offering personal memories of Catherine’s creativity and spirit.
- Sabrina Sutherland, longtime collaborator of David Lynch, providing insight into Catherine’s brilliance both on set and as the soul of the Log Lady.
Join us for a heartfelt conversation and celebration of a woman who challenged norms, defied expectations, and left behind a legacy that continues to inspire.
✨ About Cinema Femme
Cinema Femme elevates underrepresented voices in film through programming, mentorship, and publication. This year’s festival continues its mission by creating a collaborative and supportive space for diverse filmmakers to connect and thrive.
🎟️ Tickets and Passes
Tickets and festival passes are available NOW at https://cinemafemme.eventive.org/schedule
Join us this July as we celebrate the power of storytelling through film—by filmmakers redefining the industry.
🎉Festival Sponsors and Partners
Cinema Femme Short Film Fest is sponsored by Noisefloor LTD, Journeywork Entertainment, Mainstage Chicago, backstage., SAG AFTRA, Camera Ambassador, Organic Headshots, and our hotel sponsor is Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace. Opening night event partner: Gerber/Hart Library & Archives. Closing night event partner: Level Forward.
About Cinema Femme: Cinema Femme is a global peer community where female and gender-expansive filmmakers can access the vital inspiration, support, and visibility they need to create their art and build sustainable careers. Cinema Femme 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.
For interviews, screener links and artwork, contact:
Liv Shine and festival team
cinemafemme@cinemafemme.com
