ConnectHER Film Festival 2024

High school and college students submit original short films focused on critical women’s issues such as girls’ education, ending violence against women, poverty & economic independence, and authentic beauty/body image and more!

Who can enter?

Students enrolled in high school or undergraduate programs are qualified to enter. If chosen as a finalist, filmmakers must provide proof of enrollment at their school/university. (Special circumstances may be considered for youth who are not in school.) Filmmakers must be 25 years old or under by the submission date.

How many films can I enter?

You may enter up to TWO films as long as they address two separate topics.

What topics can I choose from?

You may choose from a range of topics that address critical issues impacting women and girls.

Are filmmakers from any countries excluded from participating?

Filmmakers in all countries are welcome to participate, however, due to U.S. export regulations, we may have difficulty disbursing scholarship funds if winners are residents of Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Iran, or Syria.

FILM REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Films must focus on one of our topic areas. Categories include global girls’ education, women and work, ending violence against women, women refugees, women's global health issues, women and the environment, women, and girls in tech, and redefining beauty.
2. We accept every type of filmmaking form and style; whether animation or live-action, documentary or narrative.
3. Filmmakers must be 13 to 25 years old at the submission date. That means that scripts, storyboards, directing, cinematography, editing, etc., must be done by people who meet this age requirement. Actors can be any age.
4. Films must be original works that have not yet been screened at other major film festivals.
5. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
6. Films must be 3 to 6 minutes long.
7. Film file formats accepted are .mov and .mp4. HD resolution and optimized sound quality are highly preferred. Digital submission through Google Drive is preferred, but WeTransfer or Dropbox also works.
8. Our viewers love to see and know about local organizations that are working on solutions! At the end of your film, please include a graphic that highlights two local/national/regional organization names & logos that are working to solve the issue or problem addressed in your film.
9. All films must be subtitled in English.
10. Films must be submitted by the deadline to qualify. No late submissions will be accepted.
11. If your film contains any graphic content, include a warning near the beginning of the film. ConnectHER has full discretion in accepting films, particularly in instances where film submissions contain nudity, profanity, violence, or sexually explicit content.
12. PowerPoints will not be accepted. Films must have some cinematic value.

SHARE YOUR FILM! Once your film has been approved and placed in the ConnectHER Film Festival gallery, share it! A People’s Choice winner will be selected by judges from the top 10 films with the most votes.

ConnectHER Film Festival Awards

• Judges’ Choice
• The Judges’ Choice Award winner is selected by our distinguished panel of judges. Judges include Hollywood producer Elizabeth Avellan, writer/director/producer Richard Curtis, United Nations High-Level Commissioner Alaa Murabit, and actor/environmental activist Ian Somerhalder.
• Winners will receive $5,000. 1st runner up will receive $2,500.
• Let Girls Learn
• Around the world 130 million school-age girls are not in school. That’s a big loss, because educating girls is one of the best ways to end poverty and oppression. When girls go to school, they delay marriage, have healthier children, earn more money, and make sure that their own girls get an education. It’s a win-win solution!
• The Let Girls Learn Award recognizes a short film that tells a story about educating girls in the developing world.
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• Green IS
• Do you have a passion for environmental and women’s issues? Is there is a woman environmental hero who inspires you? The Green IS Environmental Film Award recognizes a short film that shines a light on an environmental issue that impacts women and girls globally—and considers solutions. Submit a film about one story or issue and spread the word!
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• Global Impact
• Film is a powerful way to spread ideas and speed solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. The Global Impact Award was created to recognize a film that raises awareness about issues affecting women and girls around the world, from maternal mortality and violence against women to child marriage and sex trafficking.
• We are looking for films that shine a light on a solution. Have you heard about an idea that has a big impact on the lives of women and girls—or that you think has the potential to have a big impact? Do you know of a person or an organization that is making a difference? Find stories worth telling and spread the idea!
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• Girls in Tech
• This Girls in Tech is presented for a short film that focuses on women and girls in technology and other STEM fields. Women and girls face challenges in the high-paying but male-dominated fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But women and girls are finding solutions—from mentoring to STEM clubs for girls—to help overcome the confidence gap and succeed.
• Films can feature an inspiring girl or role model who studies or works in a STEM field or focus on a solution to the gender gap.
• Winner will receive $2,000.
• Most Innovative Solution
• The Most Innovative Solution Award recognizes a film that shines a light on solutions to a problem faced by women and girls. For example, do you know of a program that offers innovative livelihood training for poor women in remote villages? Or a girl who is pushing for tougher legislation to stop sex trafficking? Or an innovative method of addressing social issues? Submit a film about a forward-thinking solution to a woman’s issue—from maternal mortality and girls’ education to child marriage and female genital mutilation—and help spread the word!
• Winner will receive $1,000.
• Honest Beauty
• The Honest Beauty Award recognizes a film that challenges cultural messages about beauty and offers a more holistic view of what makes a person beautiful. Television, movies, magazines, and social media send a steady stream of glamorous images that pressure girls to conform to unrealistic cultural notions about beauty. This has a huge negative impact on women and girls’ self-esteem. We also welcome submissions on wellness and mental health or a film that focuses on an invincible other-abled girl or woman.
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• Stand Up Men
• The Stand Up Men Award recognizes a film that celebrates men who are taking a stand for women’s rights. With the rise of #MeToo, we want to start a conversation about men who are doing the right thing by taking a stand against oppression and harassment of women.
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• GEMS’ Choice
• The Gems Choice Award winner is chosen by the Gems, an elite group of major donors to Connecther, producer of the Girls Impact the World Film Festival. These donors are committed to advancing women and girls globally.
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• People’s Choice
• This award goes to the most popular film selected by our viewers on our Gallery. Our judges will choose the winner from among the 10 films with the most popular votes.
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• Best Film Production
• The Best Film Production Award recognizes a film with high production values based on such criteria as cinematography and film editing. All submissions should focus on issues that impact women and girls globally. Look at the other film awards to get an idea of the kinds of topics we cover.
• Winner will receive $1,000.
• Ending Violence Against Women
• About 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, according to the World Health Organization. This award was created to focus on people or initiatives to end this global scourge, which impacts women in every part of the world.
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• My Hero
• Women are taking the lead—as politicians and business leaders, research scientists and pro athletes, peacemakers and changemakers. In so many arenas, women leaders are bringing to their roles such qualities as capability, courage, creativity, and compassion. Think New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, tennis star, Serena Williams and activists Malala and Greta Thunberg. At the local level, too, women are taking charge and improving the planet and the lives of people in their communities.
• Do you know a woman leader whose work is worth sharing? The ConnectHER My Hero Award recognizes a short film that inspires us with her story.
• Winner will receive $2,500.
• Women & Work
• The Women and Work Award recognizes a film that shines a light on women’s livelihood and workplace issues. This category covers issues such as: equal pay, livelihood training, women’s underrepresentation in the top ranks of leadership, sexual harassment, navigating workplace power dynamics, career progress and child care
• Do you know a story about some aspect of women and work that is worth sharing? Have you heard about a program that empowers women economically -- and gives them newfound power in their families and communities? Do you know of an inspiring national campaign that has focused attention on equal pay or sexual harassment?
• Winner will receive $2,500.