Women’s Film Festival Brings Powerful Stories to Scottsdale Screens

Interesting Facts

• The Women's Film Festival in Scottsdale showcases films made by and about women from all over the world.

 

• The festival features a diverse range of genres, including dramas, comedies, documentaries, and animations, highlighting the talent and creativity of women filmmakers.

 

• The festival also includes panel discussions, workshops, and networking events, providing a platform for women in the film industry to connect and collaborate.

The 8th Annual Worldwide Women's Film Festival (WWFF) is set to captivate Scottsdale from March 6 to 8, 2026, at Harkins Shea 14 Theatres, 7354 E. Shea Blvd.

 

This year's festival celebrates women filmmakers globally, featuring a diverse lineup of screenings, filmmaker panels, workshops, and networking events.

 

New sponsors for 2026 include the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Scottsdale Arts, and the City of Scottsdale, alongside returning supporters Harkins and Panavision.

 

Panavision continues its tradition of awarding a $60,000 camera rental package to the winner of the festival's Best Cinematography award.

 

A highlight of this year's showcase is the short documentary "They Call Me the Tattoo Witch," directed and produced by Lindsay Nyman, a UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate.

 

The film follows a tattoo artist who designs tattoos around clients' scars, earning accolades at festivals worldwide.

 

Nyman assembled an all-female crew in Hanoi for the production, a rarity in the region.

 

WWFF will also feature the Glow-Frame Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals from underserved communities through hands-on training in the film and audiovisual industries.

 

"Glow-Frame offers programs for emerging creatives as well as specialized initiatives for veterans," said Kim Huenecke, WWFF president.

 

"We're happy to support their apprenticeship model to give hands-on experience on active film sets and live events."

 

Glow-Frame films will be featured in a 1.25-hour time slot followed by a Q&A session.

 

Additional programming includes a social media workshop for filmmakers presented by WWFF board member and social media director Melissa Farley on March 7.

 

On March 8, Melissa Erickson of The Funding Studio will speak at the Filmmaker’s Breakfast at 9:30 a.m., offering guidance on how filmmakers can raise funds through fiscal sponsorship.

 

Festival organizers are seeking volunteers, offering students, filmmakers, and community members opportunities to network with industry professionals, gain behind-the-scenes experience, and support a local nonprofit dedicated to amplifying women's voices in film.

 

The WWFF board of directors includes President Kim Huenecke, Vice President Keenan Murray, Secretary Rosalie Fisher, Judging Director Toy Taylor Goodgame, Elaine "E.E." Moe, a board member at large, and Jennifer Younghans, a board member and volunteer director. Additionally, Melissa Farley serves as the social media, digital marketing, and events director.

Q/A Questions

Q: What inspired you to create a Women's Film Festival in Scottsdale?

A: I wanted to provide a platform for showcasing the diverse and impactful stories told by women filmmakers.

Q: How do you select the films to be featured in the festival?

A: We have a team of curators who review submissions and select films that highlight a range of themes, perspectives, and genres.

Q: What do you hope audiences take away from attending the Women's Film Festival?

A: We hope that audiences are inspired, empowered, and moved by the powerful stories shared through the films in our festival.