The Cinema Femme Short Film Fest is a one-of-a-kind celebration dedicated to uplifting emerging women and gender-expansive filmmakers and amplifying their voices.
Join us October 11–13, 2026, at Chicago's historic Music Box Theatre for three unforgettable days of bold storytelling, community, and discovery.
SCHEDULE
Sunday, 10/11
07:00pm - Festival Opening Night Reception
Monday, 10/12
05:00pm - Cinema Femme Panel Discussion
07:00pm - Shorts Program 1
09:00pm - Shorts Program 2
Tuesday, 10/13
04:00pm - Awards Ceremony
06:45pm - UGLY CRY
09:00pm - Shorts Program 3
Coming up in this Festival
Cinema Femme 2026: Shorts Program 1
Opens October 12
"A Stitch of Vintage" - Dir. Carolin Pech, 16 mins, UKCami, an aspiring fashion designer is determined to show that fashion and beauty have no age."Th... Read more
Cinema Femme 2026: Shorts Program 2
Opens October 12
"My mother's ashes" - Dir. Ximena Chiunti, MexicoAfter their mother’s death, two siblings return to the place where they grew up to take care of an ab... Read more
Cinema Femme 2026: Shorts Program 3
Opens October 13
"Stretch" - Dir. Emma Duvall and Skyler Verity, USA11-year old Kate auditions for Cinderella in her middle school’s production of Cinderella: A Dancin... Read more
Ugly Cry
Opens October 13
When Delaney's boyfriend leaves town to shoot a splashy zombie movie, she becomes obsessed with a character she’s auditioning for after she learns the... Read more