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 has received 2,250 submissions from 96 countries and awarded $345,000 in prizes over 13 years. The 2026 edition (CHFF26) drew 184 submissions from 23 countries, with 39 finalist films from 11 countries competing for 12 awards totaling $32,500.
Films must address themes aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. These include barriers to education, gender inequality, maternal and mental health, economic empowerment, climate action, and the impact of war. 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 women's issues, ConnectHER offers an accessible international platform with meaningful scholarship prizes. Submit through the ConnectHER submission portal.
History
ConnectHER founder Lila Igram launched the festival in 2013 as the Girls Impact the World Film Festival at Harvard University. The first edition received over 300 films from around the world, proving that young people wanted a platform to share stories about women's issues. In 2017, the festival moved to Austin, Texas, where ConnectHER is based.
In 2021, the festival became the ConnectHER Film Festival, keeping its original mission while broadening its reach. Over 13 years, ConnectHER has raised $675,000 for women-led organizations and awarded $300,000 to young filmmakers. The festival also sparked a scholarship program for girls in Bangladesh, providing over $100,000 in educational assistance.
Past judges include producer Elizabeth Avellan, Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, journalist Zain Ejiofor Asher, and actor Ian Somerhalder. Eloise DeJoria has served as presenting sponsor for over 10 consecutive years.
Award Value
The 2026 festival awarded $32,500 across 12 categories. The CHFF27 cycle follows the same structure:
| Award | Prize | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Judges' Choice | $5,000 (winner); $2,500 (runner-up) | Top recognition across all categories |
| Best Documentary | $2,500 | Introduced in 2024 |
| Best Narrative | $2,500 | Introduced in 2024 |
| Best Animation | $2,500 | Introduced in 2024 |
| People's Choice | $2,500 | Selected from top audience-voted films |
| Global Impact | $2,500 | JP's Peace, Love & Happiness Family Foundation |
| Stand Up Men | $2,500 | Films celebrating men advocating for women |
| Women and Work | $2,500 | ConnectHER Gems |
| Educating Girls | $2,500 | WomenServe |
| Women and Health | $2,500 | Invest in Her Foundation |
| Women and the Environment | $2,500 | Environmental issues impacting women |
Prize money is awarded as unrestricted scholarships directly to entrants. Teams split prizes per their request. Up to 4 entrants per submission are allowed, provided all meet eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 13 to 25 at submission. Key creative roles must be performed by people in this age range. Actors can be any age |
| Geography | Open to all countries. US export regulations may restrict prize disbursement for residents of Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Iran, or Syria |
| Film length | 3 to 6 minutes. Animated films may be 2 to 6 minutes |
| Film format | .mov or .mp4. HD resolution and optimized sound preferred |
| Completion date | Films must be completed after October 1, 2025 |
| Originality | Original works not screened at other major film festivals |
| Subtitles | All films must be subtitled in English |
| Entries per filmmaker | Up to 2 films, each addressing a separate topic |
| Team entries | Up to 4 students per submission, all meeting age requirements |
Past Recipients
The 13th Annual ConnectHER Film Festival (CHFF26) announced winners on April 22, 2026. Out of 184 submissions from 23 countries, 39 finalist films from 11 countries competed for 12 awards:
| Award | Film | Filmmakers |
|---|---|---|
| Judges' Choice Grand Prize | Torn Homeland | Khawla Al-Ashi, Mohammed Ghrab |
| Judges' Choice Runner-Up | Helado | Sol Guerrero |
| Best Documentary | Malkia Dawn at the Heart of Chao | Julie Kahindo, David Kasereka |
| Best Narrative | Dal-Roti | Shreya Kalra, Sujoy Mallick, Vardan Pandit, Arav Malik |
| Best Animation | Anybody | Andi Liu, Ivy Shang, Katherine Li |
| Global Impact | A Safe Haven | Jasmine Fadia Idzni, Rizka Bilqis Khoirunnisa, Hafizh Wiryamanggala, Azkiya Zhahira |
| Stand Up Men | Toxic Spaces | Keamogetswe Motsoane |
| Women and Work | Reshma: A Struggle for Identity | Suraiya Tasnin Sathi |
| Educating Girls | Requiem for School | Anonymous |
| Women and Health | Loud Whispers | Kyzzhibek Zhanibekova |
| Women and the Environment | Seeds and Roots | Woroud Al-Qassas, Ibrahim Al-Mashharawi |
| People's Choice | Dafa | Barea'a El-Whaidy, Farah Al-Moqayyad, Roaa Alwhaidi |
The CHFF25 (2025) festival received 150 submissions from 23 countries, with 35 finalist films from 11 countries. In a surprise announcement, all three Global Impact finalists each won $2,500 thanks to JP's Peace, Love & Happiness Family Foundation.
What Made Their Application Stand Out
Winning films share several qualities that set them apart from hundreds of submissions each year. First, they present clear solutions to the issues they document, not just problems. The festival selects films in part for how they present actionable responses to challenges facing women and girls.
Second, winning films demonstrate strong cinematic value despite being made by young, often first-time filmmakers. The judges look for compelling storytelling, creative use of medium, and authentic voices. Torn Homeland won the 2026 Grand Prize for its lyrical approach to depicting war through three generations of women.
Third, successful entries follow all submission guidelines precisely. Films that include the required end-card with organization logos, proper file naming, and English subtitles pass the initial screening round. Films that miss these technical requirements face disqualification before judges ever see them.
Renewal Requirements
ConnectHER awards are one-time prizes, not recurring scholarships. Winners do not need to reapply or maintain eligibility after receiving funds. The prize money is unrestricted and can be used for tuition, equipment, future film projects, or any other purpose.
Past winners often remain involved with ConnectHER through its Fellowship program. The ConnectHER Fellowship is a filmmaking incubator where past participants deliver peer-to-peer filmmaking workshops and mentorship in their communities. The program operates in multiple countries and builds a pipeline of young filmmakers advocating for women and girls.
ConnectHER also runs a PitchFest program where past filmmakers can compete for commissioned film projects. The 2022 PitchFest winner, Halimah Tariq, premiered her film Awaaz in Austin through a partnership with Austin Film Society and IndieMeme.
Application Process
The CHFF27 cycle follows this timeline:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | Submissions open |
| October 1, 2026 | Entry deadline (no late submissions) |
| December 1, 2026 | Gallery goes live (People's Choice voting begins) |
| January 1, 2027 | Voting ends |
| February 15, 2027 | Finalists announced |
| TBD | Awards ceremony |
Submissions are made through the ConnectHER submission form. Required materials include proof of identity (passport recommended for international applicants), a portrait/headshot, the film file, and a 1280 x 720 pixel thumbnail. All materials must be shared through Google Drive or Dropbox with specific file naming conventions.
There is no entry fee. All submissions go through multiple review rounds: screening, semifinalist, and finalist judging by ConnectHER's appointed judges.
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. A content warning is required near the beginning if applicable. PowerPoints are not accepted - films must have cinematic value.
AI Policy: Films must be principally created through human authorship. Generative AI for substantive visual, audio, or narrative content is not eligible. AI-assisted tools for technical functions like transcription, subtitling, color correction, or noise reduction are permitted but must be disclosed at submission.
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 learning about both filmmaking and women's issues. The 3 to 6 minute runtime keeps production scope manageable. The required organization end-card encourages filmmakers to research and connect with local groups working on their chosen issue.
For international filmmakers: Filmmakers from all countries are welcome. The 2026 festival received submissions from 23 countries with finalists from 11 countries. All films must be subtitled in English. Prize money is disbursed as unrestricted scholarship funds, though residents of sanctioned countries may face difficulties receiving funds.
For young entrants: Students as young as 13 are eligible. Middle school students may submit films with parent or guardian consent. The festival provides a rare competition platform for filmmakers under 18. Schools serving large populations of underprivileged students can request camera equipment by emailing filmfest@connecther.org.
For budget planning: There is no entry fee. Prize money is unrestricted. The $5,000 Judges' Choice award is the largest single prize. Use the Indie Film Budget Calculator to plan your short film production budget.
Watch
See Also
For short film production planning, use the Budget Breakdown. For film festival strategy and submission tips, see Film Festival Strategy. For understanding how grants fit into a funding strategy, see Film Grants and Funding. For evaluating the cost of applying against projected returns, use the Ad Spend Break-Even Calculator.
