Stories of mothers, lovers, and seekers standing at the edge of what comes next.

Amidst strange encounters in her life and work, Helena, a Brazilian filmmaker living in Chicago, is struck by a compelling obvious question: Where’s south?

English

Where's South?

Stronghold, has been forced to close due to a lack of funding. And Fran, who has worked tirelessly for decades at this home, must move on. Fran believes she has found placement for all of the boys until Leo’s mother, Shelly, who has regained custody, fails to show up on the home’s final day. Now Fran must try to track down Shelly before she is able to embark on the next chapter of her own life — trying to reconcile with her grown daughter. When she finally finds Shelly, these women must make decisions that will change each of their lives forever — and that of Leo’s.

Stronghold

When a group home for boys closes and a single mother who has regained custody of her son does not show up on the final day, the house mother must go in search of the boy’s mom before heading off to her new life where she hopes to reconcile with her own estranged daughter.

Bambi can’t poop. She’s a Brooklyn mom and has the clogs, PTA job and pelvic floor therapist to prove it. And no matter how many visualizations she does, her bowels are failing. Her daughter is being bullied at school and her husband is obsessed with LEGO sets. But maybe revenge will finally get her going.

C.O.M.A.

Bambi is a Brooklyn mom who can’t can’t poop, but maybe revenge will finally get her going.

Emily returns home to attend her cousin’s wedding. In this jovial setting, she struggles to confront the source of her past trauma.

Something Blue 在好久好久以前

Emily returns home to attend her cousin’s wedding. In this jovial setting, she struggles to confront the source of her past trauma.

Mahtab unexpectedly has to face her inner reality...

INSIDE

Mahtab unexpectedly has to face her inner reality...

Before You follows a couple in the wake of a decision they never thought they’d have to make: ending a planned pregnancy. With restrained storytelling and emotional honesty, the film explores the intimate—and often invisible—grief of pregnancy loss. It reframes the narrative around abortion, moving beyond politics to illuminate the personal and complex truths of reproductive experience. Starring Tony-nominated actress Tala Ashe, Before You speaks to the silent grief that touches countless families, offering space for empathy, reflection, and healing.

Before You

Looking back on her first pregnancy, a woman navigates the echoes of a life-changing loss.

Rowyn's unabashed love for self-care is discovered when her boyfriend, Raj, innocently stumbles upon her dildo in a kitchen drawer while preparing for a dinner party. What ensues is a comedic battle of the sexes as Raj expresses his discomfort and Rowyn stands up for her right to masturbate.

The Other Partners

Rowyn's unabashed love for self-care is discovered when her boyfriend, Raj, innocently stumbles upon her dildo in a kitchen drawer while preparing for a dinner party. What ensues is a comedic battle of the sexes as Raj expresses his discomfort and Rowyn stands up for her right to masturbate.

An amateur detective determined to crack his first case. A corrupt youth tennis camp owner equal parts ruthless and lazy. An insatiable homemaker. A struggling single mother who just wants a better life for her <s>children</s> self. “Don’t Come Home Before Midnight” is a short existential comedy about the theatrical nature of adult life and the absurdity of American values.

Don't Come Home Before Midnight

An actor goes method while investigating a corrupt tennis camp owner equal parts ruthless and lazy, but the deeper “Inspector” delves into the narrative, the blurrier the lines become between the case on the court and the mysteries that consume him in his own home.

Secluded in the coastal forests of Northern California, an elder queer hermit searches for strange frequencies hidden in nature. While manipulating the noise in their makeshift studio, they have repeated visions of a mysterious cave and a person they believe to be another version of themself. In attempt to commune with this being they embark to find the cave and are confronted with a strange and cathartic experience.

In Another Life

An elder queer hermit searches through coastal soundscapes in pursuit of a mysterious cave they believe will allow them to commune with a past self.

Shorts Program 1 - On the Threshold

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The virtual edition of the 2025 Cinema Femme Short Film Festival is being rescheduled. We’ll be refunding all ticketholders and will reach out once new fall/winter dates are announced. Thank you for your patience and continued support of women and non-binary filmmakers.

Program will be live and virtual tickets will be on-sale Thursday June 26th. The Virtual Edition runs from July 22 - 29, 2025. Check back soon! 