DAY 16 - MOTHER'S SKIN, DIR. LEAH JOHNSTON

Mother’s Skin

Directed by Leah Johnston

Canada

A neglected six-year-old girl struggles to cope with her mother’s depression, uncovering a secret from her mother’s past.

LEAH JOHNSTON (WRITER/DIRECTOR) is an award-winning filmmaker from Nova Scotia, Canada. Her most recent short film, INGRID AND THE BLACK HOLE, premiered at Fantasia Film Festival and was showcased at over twenty film festivals, winning eight awards, including Best Canadian Short at Edmonton International Film Festival. She is the recipient of the Corus Fearless Female Filmmaker Award (2015), the $35,000 Bravofact/WIFT Prize (2015) and the National Screen Institute Drama Prize (2013). She graduated with a B.F.A. from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and is an alumni of the National Screen Institute, the Reykjavik Talent Lab and the Academy of Canadian Cinema Directing program.

Instagram: @leahjohnstonfilm

DAY 15 - CHICKEN BROTH SOUP, DIR. BY DENIZ BÜYÜKKIRLI

CHICKEN BROTH SOUP

Directed by Deniz Büyükkırlı

Turkey

The doctor comes across unusual symptoms at the man said to have died of a heart attack when he examined the corpse. He decides to refer the body to forensic medicine. Thereupon, the mans wife confesses; she said she poisoned her husband, who constantly beat her. A big surprise awaits the doctor, who has to make a vital decision for the woman.

Film screenwriter and director. She wrote many TV series scripts that were broadcast all over the world between 2012 and 2022. Chicken Broth Soup is her first short film, which she wrote and directed.

Instagram: @denizbkrl

DAY 14 - A MOVE, DIR. ELAHE ESMAILI

A Move

Directed by Elahe Esmaili

Iran

Elahe returns to her hometown in Mashhad, Iran, to help her parents move to a new place after 40 years. Influenced by the Woman-Life-Freedom movement, she's also hoping for a bigger move beyond just a new apartment.

Elahe is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Her works include 'THE DOLL' (Best International Short Hot Docs 2021), 'CAN I HUG YOU?'(Sheffield Doc/Fest 2023) that are recognized by prestigious awards such as Critics Choice, IDA, SAA; spanned over 50 festivals and reflects her prowess in storytelling and women's rights advocacy.

https://www.elaheesmaili.com/

DAY 13 - THE TRUCK, DIR. ELIZABETH RAO

The Truck

Directed by Elizabeth Rao

US

Present day. Two second-generation teens are in a bind. Jo and Arash know that in their town, abortion is shameful at best, and illegal at worst. Together, they set out to purchase the morning after pill, encountering a world of power dynamics and American hypocrisy that they never expected.

ELIZABETH RAO 饶婕 (writer/director) cuts through splashy headlines and confronts urgent social issues, by telling visceral, intimate stories. Rao grew up in Missouri, Tennessee and Chicago, with parents from southern China. Rao’s upcoming short THE TRUCK is World Premiering at Telluride, and is supported by top awards from The Future of Film is Female, Fusion Film award, NYU Kings Award, and Clive Davis award. Rao is writing her debut feature, supported by the Hear Us screenwriting grant, and mentored by Spike Lee. Rao’s body of acclaimed feature films as creative producer and editor includes MADELINE’S MADELINE, MATERNA and MAINELAND, and has premiered at Sundance, SXSW (award winner), Berlinale, Tribeca (double award winner) and been nominated for multiple Indie Spirit and Gotham awards.

https://www.elizabethrao.com/

DAY 12 - HOPE IS LOST, DIR. ENO ENEFIOK

Hope is Lost

Directed by Eno Enefiok

North Macedonia/UK

Ten days before the millennium, Hope, a bereaved single mother, arrives in London with her two infants, clutching only the clothes on their backs. A charismatic stranger offers sanctuary, but she uncovers his chilling motives. In a pulse-pounding race against time, Hope must protect her children at any cost, no matter the personal sacrifice.

Nigerian born, Midland raised, now London based. Eno's decade-long career as a 1st Assistant Director and Creative Producer spans TVCs, music videos, documentaries, and beyond. A storyteller at heart, Eno experiments with diverse forms and mediums to bring narratives to life, often exploring themes of identity, hope, and belonging.

https://www.enoenefiok.com/

DAY 11 - THE AWAKENING, DIR. SUMI MATHAI

The Awakening (Ullarivu)

Directed by Sumi Mathai

India

Ullarivu is about a young girl's transformative journey from a carefree child of the earth into a cautious young girl in the world, as she pieces together the hidden meanings and unfair rules of the patriarchal world. Her love for nature and exploration comes to a standstill when she is forced to understand that her access to the world itself is limited due to her gender. Even though she is brought up in a loving, protective family, helmed by her father, the family dynamics are deeply rooted in patriarchal rules and values. In a world that assigns pink for girls and blue for boys at birth itself, it's only a matter of time until the rules of subjugation are inflicted upon even the most hungry, wild souls.

Sumi Mathai is a writer/director based in India. Her short films have travelled to prestigious film festivals like Future of Film is Female New York, Tampere, BISFF etc and distributed on platforms like Nowness Asia and Girls In Films. Currently she is developing a superhero-themed series project and a feature film. Through her storytelling, she hopes to inspire womxn to fiercely participate in life and the world around them.

https://www.sumimathai.com/

DAY 10 - CONTRACTIONS, DIR. LYNNE SACHS

Contractions

Directed by Lynne Sachs

US

In 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States ended a woman’s right to a safe and legal abortion. This film takes us to Memphis, Tennessee where we contemplate the discontinuation of abortion services at a women’s health clinic. We listen to an obstetrician and a reproductive rights activist. We watch 14 women who witness and perform with their backs to the camera. In a place where a woman can no longer make decisions about her own body, they speak with the full force of their collective presence.

Lynne Sachs is an experimental filmmaker and poet living in Brooklyn, New York. Over the last four decades, she has created cinematic works that defy genre through the use of hybrid forms and cross-disciplinary collaboration, incorporating elements of the essay film, documentary, performance, and collage.

Her films and poems explore the intricate relationship between personal observations and broader historical experiences. Working from a feminist perspective, she investigates connections between the body, the camera, and the materiality of film itself. Sachs uses letters, archives, diaries, poetry and music, to take us on a critical journey through reality and memory.

Retrospectives of her work have been presented at Museum of the Moving Image, Sheffield Doc/Fest, Cork Film Festival, China Women’s Film Festival, Costa Rica IFF, and Ambulante Festival of Documentary Film (Mexico). Tender Buttons Press published Lynne’s book Year by Year Poems.

www.lynnesachs.com

DAY 9 - MANGO, DIR. JOAN IYIOLA

MANGO

Directed by Joan Iyiola

France/UK

Zadie is an independent florist who is privately suffering from fibroids but is determined to take her career to the next level. When a dream job arrives, Zadie searches for help in order to control her morphing body but the unwanted growths threaten to take over.

Joan lyiola is an actress and filmmaker. Her first film DỌLÁPỌ̀ IS FINE won the HBO Short Film Award, was shortlisted for a BAFTA, screened at 175+ festivals and was acquired by Disney+, Netflix and HBO. Her latest film, MANGO is a body horror drama with a unique vision. MANGO marks Joan's directorial debut.

Instagram: @joan.iyiola

DAY 8 - BIRD WOMAN, DIR. TOKIO OOHARA

Bird Woman

Directed by Tokio Oohara

Japan

Tokyo is suffering from a once-in-a-century pandemic. Yet the morning commuter trains are as crowded as ever. Toki is fed up with the suffocation of the mask covering her mouth, and the men who take advantage of the fact that their face is hidden by the mask to molest her. One morning, Toki orders a Bird mask from a friend who makes masks of animals, and when she puts it on and gets on the train, she does something unexpected. This immediately becomes a topic of conversation on social media, and the image spreads like a virus.

Tokio is a filmmaker, producer and actor with an interest in women's social stories. Her short film Bird Woman (2022), which she produced and directed, was selected in competition at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, the Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival and some other international film festivals. 

The Woman series created subsequently has also continued to be screened at international film festivals. Her omnibus film "Dear Dolls" (2023/83 min), which she produced, is currently being shown in cinemas throughout Japan. Board member of the Independent Cinema Guild of Japan (Eiga-nabe) since 2022.　

https://linktr.ee/tokiooohara

DAY 7 - SHE'S ASKING FOR IT, DIR. NATALIA ZAJACZKOWKSA

She’s Asking For It

Directed by Natalia Zajączkowska

UK

This experimental film blends raw personal experience with fictionalised reality to expose how rape culture thrives in silence. Through the lens of one woman’s trauma, it challenges audiences to confront their role in making sexual violence acceptable, while calling out mainstream films for disguising abuse as romance. This is not just the story of one survivor - it is a reflection of countless women’s realities, where the assault is not only physical but systemic, ongoing, and deeply ingrained in society.

Natalia is a Polish filmmaker based in the UK, whose work is dedicated to deconstructing the male gaze, challenging unrealistic beauty standards, and addressing the sexualisation of women in film. Recently completing a master’s in Editing for Film, TV, and Digital Media, she continues to explore how visual storytelling can challenge social norms, giving voice to perspectives often silenced on screen.

girlhoodunscripted.com

DAY 6 - MEASUREMENTS, DIR. MARTA CAPOSSELA

Measurements

Directed by Marta Capossela

Italy

“Measurements”, loosely inspired by real events, explores body shaming, psychological and power abuse, trauma, and the collapse of communication within a couple. The protagonist, Her, lives with her partner, and her story unfolds inside their apartment. Her body becomes a second protagonist—measured by Him every day after each meal. The film spans a single day, marked by breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The measuring tape symbolizes oppression, while food becomes her means of liberation. Through a progression of images—tender at first, then disturbing—we follow Her journey: a story of manipulation and trauma that continues even after He leaves.

Marta Capossela is a screenwriter, director, and literary translator. She holds a PhD in Slavonic Studies from the University of Pisa and an MA in Russian Literature from Saint Petersburg State University. She has lived and worked in Russia, Georgia, Estonia, and Switzerland. Her work moves between literary and cinematic writing. She co-wrote the short films "Ronzio" and "Piccoli Passi" and worked as assistant director on "Viola". Her directorial debut "Misure (Measurements)" (2025), widely awarded and selected by major festivals, opens a trilogy on the female body. The next two parts, "Through the Clouded Glass" and her first feature "FAME", are currently in development.

https://www.martacapossela.com/

DAY 5 - DON'T BE LATE, MYRA, DIR. AFIA NATHANIEL

Don’t Be Late, Myra

Directed by Afia Nathaniel

Pakistan

Inspired by true events, the story is about a ten-year old Pakistani girl who has missed her school van and now must try and find her way home without a male chaperone. As she marches on silently avoiding the gaze of men, a rickshaw driver pulls up asking if he can drop her home. Myra must navigate a new reality where walking home alone means learning to deal with stalkers.

Pakistani-American filmmaker, Afia Nathaniel, debuted with DUKHTAR – a road trip thriller that premiered at Toronto in 2014, represented Pakistan at the Oscars and played to critical acclaim in over 20 countries to rave reviews. It was the Critics’ Pick (Village Voice), labelled as “exquisite” by New York Times and billed as “a road journey to end all road journeys” by Huffington Post. 

Her latest short DON’T BE LATE, MYRA - a survival thriller - is now Oscar® qualified. Deeply personal in its origins, the film draws on Afia’s own childhood experiences and her perspective as a survivor of assault.

https://afianathaniel.me/

DAY 4 - LEAVING YELLOWSTONE, DIR. KAYLA AREND

Leaving Yellowstone

Directed by Kayla Arend

US

Tessa is excited to visit Yellowstone National Park with her new boyfriend, Mark. However, when they arrive, Mark changes, aggression and cruelty building as Tessa starts finding disturbing artifacts around the cabin. What begins as an idyllic winter weekend slowly becomes a nightmare as Tessa realises she’s alone in the woods with a man she really doesn’t know at all.

Kayla Arend is a Luxembourg-American writer-director committed to feminist storytelling. Her work blends surreal, suspenseful atmospheres with strong female-leads and striking wilderness settings. Kayla’s films have been compared to the work of David Lynch, Lynne Ramsay and Darren Aronofsky. Noted for their psychological depth and visual intensity, her work is inspired by wilderness, wildlife, resilience and the power of love and family.

Kayla studied film, photography and entomology at Montana State University. She earned her MFA in Writing and Directing (with a minor in Producing) at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her graduate thesis film, Leaving Yellowstone was executive produced by Spike Lee and won multiple awards including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Cinematography.

Kayla’s award-winning short film, #Melissa is currently finishing its festival run. Her new short film, HOME, is about to premiere at film festivals this coming winter. Kayla is also developing her debut feature film Bastards of Young. Bastards of Young was selected for the NYU Production Lab’s Feature Film Development Studio.

Kayla formerly served as an adjunct professor at NYU Tisch. She is currently taking a break from teaching to focus on her debut feature film. Kayla owns the production company KBIRD but in addition to her own filmmaking, Kayla works as a professional film consultant - providing one-on-one guidance for script development, production strategy and creative storytelling.

Kayla Arend is on the board of the Jackson Hole International Film Festival as an honorary member.

www.kaylaarend.com

DAY 3 - TINY MOVEMENTS, DIR. LAURA SWEENEY

Tiny Movements

Directed by Laura Sweeney

US/UK

Tiny Movements is a short minute documentary about Jenn Green, a professional modern dancer and mother of two, who discovered four years of video recordings of her husband raping her after drugging her with high doses of Ambien. She and her children escaped and filed an order of protection. Once in a safe space, she danced in her kitchen, filmed it and posted it to social media. This documentary is the story of her creation of Tiny Kitchen Dances Project, healing and ongoing legal battle to protect herself and children all while moving forward to rebuild and thrive in her life.

Laura Sweeney is a screenwriter, director and actress. Laura’s writing credits include, Mommy Mafia, Solstice and Lost + Found She created and starred in the webseries: The Mothership and Theater Bitches. Laura has directed several award winning short films including The Neck, Across and Tina. Her first documentary Tiny Movements won Best Documentary at Art of Brooklyn Film Festival and Audience Award at DC International Shorts. Laura is a member of SAGAFTRA, Georgetown Entertainment Media Alliance (GEMA) and a Co-Leader of FILMSHOP South Brooklyn Chapter. Laura has taught screenwriting for Writers Boot Camp and Open Screenplay. She studied acting with the Moscow Art Theatre and is a graduate of Georgetown University. Laura is a Licensed Real Estate Agent with Compass Huntington and currently resides on Long Island

www.laurasweeney.com 

DAY 2 - FUCK THEM ALL, DIR. POLINA BILIAIEVA

Fuck Them All

Directed by Polina Biliaieva

Poland, Ukraine

Kira, a 30-year-old Ukrainian, flees to Poland at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, after losing her husband. Her thoughts remain with her war-torn home but here a new challenge awaits her: Kira finds out that she is pregnant. Already traumatised, she doesn’t want to bring a new life into this world, but it is impossible for her to terminate the pregnancy in Poland. Kira decides to return to Ukraine, which is still in the middle of war, to have an abortion.

Born in 1997 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. A graduate of a directing degree at the Kharkiv Academy of Culture and a student of directing in Warsaw film school. Her short film THESE DAMN PEONIES was presented at many festivals in Poland and abroad, including 48th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia. In her work, she is particularly interested in telling stories about young women transitioning into adulthood, searching for their place and identity, discovering their sexuality and motherhood.

Instagram: @polina_bilaieva

DAY 1 - WHERE WE STOP, DIR. RACHEL COBURN

Where We Stop

Directed by Rachel Coburn

UK

Sophie gets the bus each day. Same route, same seats, with pals or on her own. Life shifts when she starts her first relationship with Jack, who begins joining her on the journey. At first the bus feels full of laughs and comfort. Small moments start to build and something feels off. Control starts to show and the bus feels harder to step off. Where We Stop highlights early signs of abuse in young women’s relationships. The film was made with young women in Glasgow to spark conversation and support awareness.

Rachel Coburn is a producer and director with BBC Scotland’s investigations team. She has nine years of experience across documentary, journalism, and arts filmmaking. Her work focuses on sensitive, human-centred stories, including recent documentaries on weight loss surgery and antidepressant use. Rachel began her career as a BBC apprentice, won the NCTJ Apprentice of the Year Award, and was named in MHP’s 30 to Watch. She is committed to amplifying voices that are often underrepresented in traditional media.

Instagram: @glasgowgirlsclub