Submissions Link: filmfreeway.com/CinemaFemme
🎬 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival Returns to the Music Box Theatre and New Festival Director Announced
Cinema Femme Short Film Festival Announces 2026 Dates, Opens Film Submissions, and Welcomes New Festival Director
Chicago, IL — April 6, 2026 — The Cinema Femme Short Film Festival is thrilled to announce that film submissions for its 2026 edition will open on Friday, April 10, 2026. The festival will return for its 8th edition with in-person screenings from October 11–13, 2026 at the iconic Music Box Theatre, followed by a virtual presentation from October 14–18, 2026 on the Eventive platform.
Dedicated to showcasing bold, innovative storytelling, Cinema Femme celebrates and uplifts the voices and careers of women and gender-expansive filmmakers. The 2026 festival will feature four curated shorts programs, panels, and networking events, bringing together filmmakers, film lovers, and a vibrant creative community.
Leadership Transition
Cinema Femme extends its heartfelt gratitude to Emily Broderick, who successfully led the organization’s inaugural festival year and has since gone on to launch her own event production business. We celebrate her achievements and thank her for laying a strong foundation for the festival’s future.
The organization is excited to welcome Taryn Stickrath-Hutt as Festival Director for 2026.
Taryn Stickrath-Hutt (she/her) is a queer feminist filmmaker, painter, and writer whose work spans film, animation, and themed entertainment. Her animated domestic horror short The Finger Wife premiered at Cinema Femme Short Film Festival in 2025. With a professional background in film/TV production and education, she has also worked at Walt Disney Imagineering, where she was part of the award-winning Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway team. Taryn lives in Chicago with her family.
“Last year, I attended Cinema Femme Short Film Festival as a filmmaker, and I fell in love,” said Stickrath-Hutt. “I was overwhelmed by the team’s care and consideration and by the sheer joy that reverberated through the theater. Sharing a sincerely inclusive and supportive space with excellent filmmakers and avid film lovers is a rare experience. Cinema Femme walks the walk. I’m honored to take up the mantle of Festival Director this year.”
Rebecca Fagerholm, Executive Director of Cinema Femme, said of Taryn, “Taryn truly understands who we are—both as filmmakers and as a community passionate about supporting women and gender-expansive people in film. She recognizes that this year is about deepening our mission and creating meaningful impact. We are in a period of intentional growth and long-term sustainability.”
Breaking Down Walls Mentorship Program
A cornerstone of the festival, the Breaking Down Walls Mentorship Program pairs selected filmmakers with established industry professionals. Each year, four filmmakers receive one-on-one mentorship designed to foster creative growth, expand industry knowledge, and support long-term career development.
In an industry often defined by limited access and systemic barriers, this program provides vital guidance and opportunity for emerging filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds.
2026 mentors will be announced in the coming months, last year’s mentors were:
- Tchaiko Omawale, writer-director of Solace, known for her emotionally resonant storytelling
- David Bruckner, director of The Night House and Hellraiser (2022), recognized for his genre-defying work
- Lisa France, award-winning director of Roll with Me, celebrated for her human-centered documentaries
- Valerie Weiss, filmmaker and television director whose credits include Outer Banks, Echoes, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
2025 Mentor pairings included:
- Valerie Weiss with Anna Duckworth (Just Kidding, I Actually Love You)
- Lisa France with Emily Wilson (Finding Daddy)
- David Bruckner with Hannah Schierbeek (A Black Hole Near Kent County)
- Tchaiko Omawale with Brittany Young (Munchies)
Filmmaker feedback highlights the program’s impact:
“Lisa was a valuable presence… Her ability to go after her goals with such enthusiasm and grit is truly badass. She encouraged me to get very specific about what I want to make and who I want to work with…” — Emily Wilson
“I gained a lot more knowledge on the TV industry and how it works… I got to learn the ins and outs based on Tchaiko’s experience.” — Brittany Young
By connecting rising filmmakers with experienced mentors, Cinema Femme continues its mission to break down barriers and create meaningful pathways in the film industry.
About Cinema Femme Short Film Festival
Now in its 8th year, the Cinema Femme Short Film Festival is a one-of-a-kind celebration of emerging and established filmmakers. Through its festival, mentorship initiatives, and community programming, Cinema Femme is committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable film landscape.
Film submissions open April 10, 2026.
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Connect with Cinema Femme Short Film Festival:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CinemaFemme
YouTube:
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@cinemafemme
Instagram: instagram.com/cinemafemme_community
Festival Website: cinemafemme.com/film-festival
For questions contact:
Rebecca Fagerholm and festival team cinemafemme@cinemafemme.com
