ConnectHER Film Festival Scholarship

Overview

The ConnectHER Film Festival is an international youth competition for filmmakers ages 13 to 25 who make short films about issues impacting women and girls. Founded in 2013, the festival awards $32,500 in unrestricted scholarship prizes across 11 categories. The 2025 edition (CHFF25) received 150 submissions from 23 countries, with 35 finalist films representing 11 countries competing for 12 awards.

The festival is unique in its focus on youth-produced films about gender equality and women's issues. Films must address one or more themes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: barriers to education, access to education, leadership, digital inclusion, gender inequality, menstrual health, maternal and mental health, global health, economic inequality and empowerment, poverty, food access, political enfranchisement, climate action, refugees and IDPs, and the impact of war and conflict. The festival places special emphasis on amplifying BIPOC voices and highlighting stories of resilience.

If you are a young filmmaker between 13 and 25 with a short film about issues affecting women and girls, the ConnectHER Film Festival offers one of the most accessible international competition platforms with meaningful scholarship prizes. Submit through the ConnectHER submission portal.

Award Categories and Prize Amounts

The 2025 festival awarded $32,500 across 12 categories. The CHFF27 cycle (2026/2027) follows the same award structure:

Prize money is awarded as unrestricted scholarships directly to the entrants. If a film was created by a team, the prize is split per the team's request. Up to four entrants per submission are allowed, provided all meet the eligibility requirements.

CHFF27 Timeline

Eligibility

Entry Rules

1. Films must focus on one of the topic areas listed on the festival website
2. All filmmaking forms accepted: animation, live-action, documentary, or narrative
3. All key creative roles (script, storyboard, directing, cinematography, editing) must be performed by people 13 to 25 years old. Actors can be any age
4. Valid proof of identity required: passport (recommended for international applicants), national ID card, driver's license, or state/provincial ID card. For minors: school ID with photo plus original birth certificate
5. Films must include a graphic at the end featuring names and logos of two local, regional, or national organizations working to solve the issue addressed
6. Graphic content warning required near the beginning if applicable. ConnectHER has full discretion on films containing nudity, profanity, violence, or sexually explicit content
7. PowerPoints will not be accepted. Films must have cinematic value

AI Policy: Films must be principally created through human authorship. Films using generative AI to create substantive visual, audio, or narrative content are not eligible. AI-assisted tools for technical, administrative, accessibility, or post-production functions (transcription, subtitling, captioning, color correction, noise reduction) are permitted but must be disclosed at submission. Failure to disclose AI use may result in disqualification.

How to Apply

Submissions are made through the ConnectHER submission form. Required materials:

1. Proof of identity: Government-issued ID with photograph and date of birth
2. Portrait/headshot: Named FirstName_LastName (e.g., Jane_Doe.jpg)
3. Film file: Named Title_by_FilmmakersNames_Country (e.g., Sunrise_by_JaneDoe_JohnSmith_AmyLee_UnitedKingdom.mp4)
4. Thumbnail: 1280 x 720 pixels, maximum 2 MB, JPG/PNG/WEBP. Named FilmTitle_Thumbnail

Digital submission through Google Drive is preferred. Dropbox is also accepted. Submissions that do not follow the file naming convention may be disqualified or returned for correction.

There is no entry fee. All submissions go through multiple rounds of review: screening, semifinalist, and finalist judging, conducted by ConnectHER's appointed judges.

2025 Festival Results (CHFF25)

The 12th Annual ConnectHER Film Festival received 150 submissions from 23 countries. 35 finalist films from 11 countries competed for 12 awards totaling $32,500. In a surprise announcement, all three finalist films in the Global Impact category each won $2,500 thanks to JP's Peace, Love & Happiness Family Foundation, representing films from Indonesia, Palestine, and Bangladesh.

Resources for Filmmakers

ConnectHER provides resources for young filmmakers who may not have access to film equipment:

• Equipment requests: Schools serving large populations of underprivileged students (more than 40% qualifying for free or reduced lunch programs) can request camera equipment. Email filmfest@connecther.org to inquire. Small charter, international, or private schools with insufficient funding may also qualify
• Accommodations for international winners: ConnectHER does not cover flights for international winners to attend the awards ceremony, but accommodations may be covered
• Film class submissions: Film class students and students working with media organizations are welcome to submit as long as they meet eligibility requirements
• Organization volunteers: Volunteers or interns at organizations serving women and girls may submit films highlighting that organization's work, provided they are 25 or younger

What Filmmakers Should Know

For first-time filmmakers: Many ConnectHER entrants are first-time filmmakers. The festival is designed to be accessible to young people who are learning about both filmmaking and women's issues. The 3 to 6 minute runtime requirement keeps production scope manageable. The requirement to include organization logos at the end of the film encourages filmmakers to research and connect with local organizations working on the issues they are documenting.

For international filmmakers: Filmmakers from all countries are welcome. The festival received submissions from 23 countries in 2025, with finalists from 11 countries. All films must be subtitled in English. Prize money is disbursed as unrestricted scholarship funds, though residents of Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Iran, or Syria may face difficulties receiving funds due to US export regulations.

For middle school students: Students as young as 13 are eligible. Middle school students may submit films as long as they meet all other requirements. Minors must have parent or guardian consent to submit. The festival provides a rare competition platform for filmmakers under 18.

For budget planning: There is no entry fee. Prize money is unrestricted and can be used for any purpose, including tuition, equipment, or future film projects. The $5,000 Judges' Choice award is the largest single prize. Use the Indie Film Budget Calculator to plan your short film production budget.

For filmmakers using AI tools: Generative AI for substantive visual, audio, or narrative content is prohibited. AI-assisted tools for technical functions (transcription, subtitling, color correction, noise reduction) are permitted but must be disclosed. Failure to disclose AI use may result in disqualification. When in doubt, disclose.

See Also

For short film production planning, use the Indie Film Budget Calculator. For film festival strategy and submission tips, see Film Festival Strategy. For the official ConnectHER Film Festival website and current submission details, visit connectherfilmfest.org. For another youth-focused international filmmaking program, see Cinemadamare in this directory.