ConnectHER Film Festival and Scholarship
A scholarship competition for young filmmakers aged 13 to 25 who create short documentaries highlighting the work of women and girls making a positive impact in their communities.
Overview
The ConnectHER Film Festival and Scholarship program invites young filmmakers to create short documentaries that showcase women and girls making a difference in their communities. The competition is open to filmmakers between the ages of 13 and 25 and awards scholarships based on the quality, creativity, and impact of the submitted films.
ConnectHER was founded to amplify the stories of women and girls who are creating positive change, and to encourage young people to use filmmaking as a tool for social impact. The competition provides a platform for emerging voices in documentary storytelling and connects participants with a community of socially engaged filmmakers.
The festival screens winning and finalist films at events in the United States and online, giving student filmmakers visibility and recognition for their work.
What It Covers
- Grand Prize -- $10,000 scholarship
- Additional prizes for runners-up and category winners
- Festival screening -- winning films are showcased at ConnectHER events
- Community recognition -- winners join a network of young filmmakers focused on social impact storytelling
Eligibility
Applicants must be between 13 and 25 years old. Films must be short documentaries (typically under 8 minutes) that profile a woman or girl making a positive impact. The competition accepts individual and team submissions. Both US and international filmmakers are eligible. Films must be original work created by the applicant.
How to Apply
Films are submitted through the ConnectHER website. Submissions include the documentary, a filmmaker bio, and a brief description of the subject and the impact they are making. The deadline is typically in March. There is no entry fee.
Who Should Apply
Young filmmakers aged 13 to 25 who are passionate about documentary storytelling and social impact. The competition is accessible to filmmakers at all experience levels, from first-time creators to film students with developed portfolios.
See Also
For documentary production guidance, see Documentary Filmmaking Guide. To plan your production, use the Production Budget Calculator.
