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Tickets and VIP passes on sale NOW for the 2025 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival in Chicago from July 17 - 21!
Tickets and VIP passes on sale NOW for the 2025 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival in Chicago from July 17 - 21!
The film community that believes women and gender-expansive creators should be visible, sustainable and supported.
Be a Cinema Femme member and get exclusive benefits!
All Cinema Femme includes access to our year-round community, with both virtual and in-person programming designed to connect filmmakers, industry professionals, and passionate cinephiles.
Members enjoy free access to all virtual events and industry conversations, members-only Zoom Q&As and monthly meetups, and our member newsletter featuring exclusive updates and opportunities. Additional perks include discounted festival passes and tickets, discounts on annual online article subscriptions, merchandise discounts, and free entry to select member events throughout the year.
Whether you’re looking to launch or deepen a career in film, or simply want to engage with great cinema and the people who make it, Cinema Femme offers a vibrant, Chicago-based film community you’ll love being part of.
To purchase a student membership, email a copy of your valid student ID to cinemafemme@cinemafemme.com with the subject line “Cinema Femme Student Membership” to receive the discount code.
Questions? Email rebecca@cinemafemme.com
For fans of David Lynch and Catherine Coulson, we have an unmissable event for you: a special presentation of our intimate tribute panel honoring the late Catherine Coulson. This is the virtual premiere of our exclusive panel, which originally took place in person at the 2025 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival at the Music Box Theatre.
Best known as the unforgettable Log Lady from Twin Peaks, Catherine was also a groundbreaking filmmaker, one of Hollywood’s first female camera assistants, and a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s empowerment, and environmental justice.
This heartfelt conversation features reflections from her daughter Zoey Yinger, actor/producer Jenny Sullivan, and longtime David Lynch collaborator Sabrina S. Sutherland.
Join us in celebrating Catherine’s extraordinary life, artistry, and enduring legacy.
Café Femme
Writers Workshop
Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 10:00 AM –12:00 PM
Join us for a dynamic morning of writing, feedback, and connection at our upcoming Screenplay Swapmeet, hosted by filmmaker Taryn Stickrath-Hutt.
Bring one hard copy of up to 10 pages of your script, take part in the swap, and walk away with fresh insights—and new creative collaborators. Whether you’re refining a draft or just getting started, this is a welcoming space to share work and build community.
Join us for our monthly Cinema Femme meetup on June 18!
What was once a members-only gathering is now open to anyone who’d like to attend—there are 25 spots available, so be sure to grab yours.
Come learn more about our magazine, our upcoming film festival, and the many ways you can get involved. It’s also a chance for our Chicago community to connect in person, meet new faces, and keep building something meaningful together.
We’ll be meeting at Wilde Bar & Restaurant in Lakeview, seated at the back table.
We’re so excited (cue the Tessa gif!) and would love to see you there.
– Rebecca and the Cinema Femme team
Agnes Varda
Shonda Rhimes
Creator, Founder and Producer
Sarah Polley, Director
Ona (Rooney Mara), Women Talking (2022)