ConnectHER Film Festival Awards

About this scholarship

The ConnectHER Film Festival is an international competition for filmmakers ages 13–25 who create original short films about issues affecting women and girls. The top Judges’ Choice film receives $5,000 and its first runner-up receives $2,500. Documentary, narrative, animation, People’s Choice, Global Impact, Women and Work, Educating Girls, health, environment, and other category winners generally receive $2,500. Entries may be live-action, documentary, narrative, or animated and should connect a women’s or girls’ issue with resilience, leadership, or a practical solution. Films must have been completed after October 1, 2025. Live-action films must run three to six minutes; animation may run two to six minutes. Applicants must submit valid photo identification, a headshot, the film, and a properly sized thumbnail through an organized Google Drive or Dropbox folder. Films need English subtitles, must name two organizations working on the issue in an end graphic, and cannot contain substantive generative-AI-created visual, audio, or narrative material. The 2026 submission window runs from July 1 through October 1, and the official submission form is the direct entry route.

Eligibility

• Be between ages 13 and 25 on the submission date
• Personally perform the principal filmmaking work, including writing, directing, cinematography, and editing
• Submit an original film focused on an approved issue affecting women and girls
• Use a film completed after October 1, 2025 that has not screened at another major film festival
• Keep live-action films between three and six minutes or animated films between two and six minutes
• Add English subtitles and a final graphic naming two organizations addressing the issue
• Provide valid photo identification, a headshot, film file, and thumbnail through the required shared folder
• Do not use generative AI for substantive visual, audio, or narrative content