International Women's Film Festival
The world through the eyes of female directors, in Florence
About Women's Film Festival
The female gaze on cinema
The International Women's Film Festival is one of the longest-running and most distinctive film events in Florence. Born in the late 1970s in the spirit of the cine-club movement, it is considered the first festival in the world conceived to give space to cinema directed by women. Since then, it has told the story of the world through the eyes of female directors, bringing to light stories, cultures, and artistic forms long excluded from the official narrative.
A history spanning nearly half a century
Over the decades, the festival has hosted essential international filmmakers, from Lina Wertmüller to Agnès Varda and Chantal Akerman, becoming a reference point for those looking to discover the most important and talented female voices on the global stage. The festival concretely addresses the issue of the limited presence of women in the audiovisual sector: an inequality that concerns access to economic resources, career opportunities, and the distribution of decision-making power behind the camera.
Where and when
The festival takes place in the heart of the Tuscan capital, at the Cinema La Compagnia on Via Cavour, the home of cinema for the Tuscany Region. The event is organized by the Cinema Department of the Fondazione Sistema Toscana, under the artistic direction of Camilla Toschi, and is part of the broader "50 Days of Cinema in Florence" festival, which brings together nine international film events every autumn between October and December.
What to expect
- An international competition dedicated specifically to debut and sophomore works by contemporary female directors.
- Non-competition sections, Italian premieres, and films awarded at major festivals (Cannes, Locarno, Sundance).
- Retrospectives and tributes dedicated to great female authors of the past.
- Meetings, conversations, and guests from the world of cinema and culture.
- Photography exhibitions and side events with free admission.
Integrated into the autumn cultural calendar of Florence and Tuscany, the Women's Film Festival is an opportunity to discover female-authored cinema in one of Italy's most beautiful cities, in a historic venue like Cinema La Compagnia.
Women's Film Festival — edition 2026
47th edition — Florence, October 21-25, 2026
The International Women's Film Festival reaches its 47th edition, scheduled in Florence from October 21 to 25, 2026, at Cinema La Compagnia. Once again this year, the festival focuses on the world filtered through the eyes of the most talented contemporary female directors, with a special focus on debut and sophomore works, alongside established authors.
The artistic direction is entrusted to Camilla Toschi (Casa del Cinema of the Tuscany Region); the edition is part of the 20th "50 Days of Cinema in Florence", the major autumn festival that brings together nine international film events from October 7 to December 10, 2026.
The detailed program — competition, films, guest directors, retrospectives, and exhibitions — will be announced by the organization in the weeks leading up to the event. Film submissions and guidelines are published on the official website.
Programme Women's Film Festival 2026
The complete program of the 47th edition (international competition, premieres, retrospectives, exhibitions, and meetings with directors) will be announced by the organization in the weeks leading up to the event, via the official website and the Cinema La Compagnia page.
As per tradition, the structure includes a competition dedicated to debut and sophomore works by female directors from around the world, non-competition sections with Italian premieres of films awarded at major festivals, tributes to authors of the past, photography exhibitions, and side events with free admission. Film submissions are handled via [email protected].
Highlights Women's Film Festival 2026
- International competition of debut and sophomore works by female directors.
- Italian premieres and films selected at major international festivals.
- Retrospectives and tributes to great female filmmakers.
- Exhibitions and side events with free admission, as part of "50 Days of Cinema in Florence".
Prices Women's Film Festival 2026
Practical information — Women's Film Festival
Where
Cinema La Compagnia, Via Cavour 50/r, 50129 Florence (FI), in the historic center, just a short walk from Piazza San Marco and the Duomo.
How to get there
By train: Firenze Santa Maria Novella station, then a 15-20 minute walk or city bus. By car: the center is subject to ZTL (restricted traffic zone), it is advisable to use park-and-ride facilities and public transport. By plane: Florence-Peretola Airport (Amerigo Vespucci), connected to the center by the tramway.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Cinema La Compagnia box office and online via the cinema's official platform. Some events and exhibitions offer free admission.
Information
Official festival website and Cinema La Compagnia page for the program and advance sales. Contact: [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Women's Film Festival
Cinema La Compagnia
Via Cavour 50/r, 50129 Firenze