Save the dates: Women X Film Festival is back for 2022!
Since its launch in 2019, Women X has been a fast growing festival with a purpose. With its core focus being to support not only women and non binary filmmakers, but also to cement a new home of film activity in the North East, the independent and volunteer run event has gone from strength to strength attracting some incredible talent from around the world and over 200 film lovers as attendees.
This year the festival will be held at Darlington Hippodrome, the stunning theatre which is over 100 years old will be the home of film screenings, career developing workshops, insightful panel discussions and a festival lounge filled with activities for industry members and delegates, along with networking opportunities otherwise not available outside of big cities.
Festival director Caris Rianne shared that she was thrilled to be working with the venue for the third installment of the festival. “We had originally planned our first festival to be at the Hippodrome back in 2020, but with Covid we had to move our event completely online. So it’s amazing to be able to come full circle and host Women X in not only a gorgeous venue but one so central to the town with great transport links from London, meaning people can easily enjoy the local businesses in the town centre while they’re visiting Darlington for the festival.”
The festival has showcased over 100 filmmakers so far, with many films going on to win big awards at Sundance Film Festival, London Short Film Festival and even screening on HBO and Channel 4. With over 200 people attending last years event in Stockton and online, it has something for everyone interested in seeing the newest and best independent film talent from women and non binary filmmakers.
Working with like minded organisations to enrich their programme is a key factor for Rianne Pictures, the film and media company behind the festival, this year their partners include Film and TV Charity, Letterboxd, Breaking The Lens, Screen Queens, Superyaki, I Like Networking, Invisible Women, Leeds International Film Festival, Norwich International Film Festival, and many others.
The festival will run from 2nd September to 11th September, allowing people to either attend in person or purchase an online pass where they can enjoy the films from home. Rianne shared her enthusiasm for this hybrid approach. “As much as we love welcoming people to our festival venue, we know it’s not always accessible for people to travel or attend around life and work commitments, especially with the cost of living increasing and travel being so expensive. With an online platform alongside our in person screenings we’re able to offer an experience that has been previously unavailable. It also allows us to host an international audience, which is brilliant for our international filmmakers to share the event and their success with their friends and family.”
The full programme will be launched in July along with ticket information, for now you can sign up to the waiting list to hear more updates and be first in line for when tickets are available.
Filmmakers can submit their short films for consideration via Filmfreeway here until June 15th
