“Holding Two Truths at Once”: A Conversation with Lauren Melinda on “Before You” and the Mission of Simbelle Productions
In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (June 2022) decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, Lauren Melinda’s “Before You” emerges as an intimate, unflinching, and profoundly human film. Drawing from her own experience, Melinda tells a story of love, loss, and the complexities of women’s health with both cinematic elegance and […]
Cinema Femme Short Film Festival Returns to the Music Box Theatre, July 17–21, 2025
🎬 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 […]
Interview with 2024 Chicago Spotlight Award Recipient Jewells Santos on her vulnerable short “Fatfish”
On the eve of her graduation from DePaul’s MFA Film and Directing program, I had the pleasure of speaking with emerging filmmaker Jewells Santos about her short film “Fatfish.” Jewells is the recipient of the Chicago Spotlight award for this year’s Cinema Femme Short Film Festival, for it’s 6th edition. This award is given to […]
Uniquely Euphoric: Bridget Frances Harris and Virginia Alonso-Luis on “Places of Worship”
Every once in a while, I come across a film that feels as if it has been made especially for me. That happened most recently at this year’s joyous in-person installment of my wife Rebecca Martin Fagerholm’s Cinema Femme Short Film Festival held at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre. As soon as Bridget Frances Harris’ […]
“[subtext]” spins the rom-com genre with refreshing tension
“[subtext]” is the recipient of the Critic’s Choice Award for the 2024 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival. This award is given by a film critic, and this year, the film was chosen by Peyton Robinson, film critic for RogerEbert.com, and contributor to Cinema Femme magazine. As innocuous as a first date may seem, there are […]
2024 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival Awards
On Thursday, May 2nd, at 2:00 PM Central, Festival Director Rebecca Martin Fagerholm and festival collaborators announced the award winners for the 2024 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival, starting with the new award coined for an emerging filmmaker who has a first-time film that shows a lot of promise. The recipient of the inaugural Filmmaker on the Rise Award […]
Cinema Femme Short Film Festival Announces Full Program: April 25 – May 2, 2024
Chicago, Illinois, (April 2, 2024) – Today, the Cinema Femme Short Film Festival announced the full lineup of films and programs included in its 6th edition, running April 25 – May 2, 2024. Cinema Femme Magazine, presenter of the Cinema Femme Short Film Festival, emphasizes the importance of supporting emerging female and non-binary filmmakers by connecting them to seasoned industry members through the Breaking […]