CHFF26 Finalists
We are so pleased and proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 ConnectHER Film Festival!
Out of 184 submissions from 31 countries, 39 finalist films representing 18 countries have been selected. With 12 awards totaling $32,500, we can’t wait to celebrate these incredible filmmakers. We will be announcing the winners live at the awards ceremony on May 2!
Join us at the State Theatre in Austin, Texas, for two exciting events: Showcase of Selected Finalist Films May 1 and Film Festival Awards Ceremony May 2.
Congratulations to all the talented filmmakers! You are now and forever a part of our ConnectHER Filmmaker community.
JUDGES' CHOICE
Beyond Barriers
By Aryan Kumar, Shrikant Kumar and Aniket Kumar (India)
helado
By Sol Guerrero (United States)
Torn homeland
By Khawla Al Ashi and Mohammed Ghrab (Palestine)
BEST DOCUMENTARY
green stitch
By Faizah Fadhilatur Rokhmah, Aura Feiyaz Musyafak, Izzur Fauzil Adhim & Rayhan Baihaqi Wibisono (Indonesia)
its time to revolt against abusing
By Nandita Nandini (Bangladesh)
Malkia Dawn at the Heart of Chao
By Julie Kahindo and David Kaseke (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Still She Rides
By Anya Kothari and Anya Ramani (United States)
BEST NARRATIVE
dal-roti
By Shreya Kalra, Sujoy Mallick and Vardan Pandit (India)
Error 64-19
By Grace Persons, Dyllan Hobeck, Kennedy Hilton and Elizabeth Connolly (United States)
Find Me in the Void
By Denver Humphrey (United States)
Zom-Bea
By Ana Beatriz, Igor Mota and Thiago Silva (Brazil)
BEST ANIMATION
ANYBODY
By Katherine Li, Ivy Shang and Andi Liu (Canada)
EMBARRASSED
By Presley Rhodes (United States)
IN HER SHOES
By Allie McKeon and Mythri Margam (United States)
EDUCATING GIRLS
PRESENTED BY:
A REQUIEM FOR SCHOOL
By Anonymous (Afghanistan)
Silent Storm
By Suzanne Sawe (Tanzania)
Tahaddi
By Huda Lulu (Palestine)
GLOBAL IMPACT
PRESENTED BY:
A Safe Haven
By Jasmine Fadia Idzni, Rizka Bilqis Khoirunnisa, Hafizh Wiryamanggala & Azkiya Zhahira (Indonesia)
Ms. Marwa
By Husam Jalal Abdallatif (Sudan)
The Midwife of Hope
By Aysha tasnim & Abu Bakar (Bangladesh)
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
dafa
By Bareaa Elwhaidy, Farah AlMoqayyad, and Roaa Alwhaidi (Palestine)
Director of My Life
By Giovanna Batista (Brazil)
(WO)MAN MOMENT
By Diana Biniaeva and Margarita Shpakovskaya (Russia)
STAND UP MEN
Between Two Shadows
By Moustafa Elhouly, Mohammed Aldahdouh, and Roa'a ALlouh (Palestine)
Beyond Perseverance
By David Torres, Johnathan Aguila, Nader Baptiste & Paul Consuelo-Valencia (United States)
Toxic Spaces
By Keamogetswe Motsoane (South Africa)
Yield
By Trisha Dhakal (France)
WOMEN & THE ENVIRONMENT
Altyn Kazyk - The Golden Stake
By Jina Song (South Korea)
In Their Shoes
By Hamza Zia (Pakistan)
One Clean Beach
By Zuzu Grueskin (United States)
Seeds & Roots
By Woroud Al Qassas and Ibrahim Al Mashharawi (Palestine)
The Golden Harvest
By Winnifred Kasoga (Uganda)
WOMEN & HEALTH
PRESENTED BY:
in her arms
By Asil AlWadiya (Palestine)
Loud Whispers
By Kyzzhibek Zhanibekova (Kyrgyzstan)
Nuru (Light)
By Allen Kamanzi and Benedict Joseph (Tanzania)
WOMEN & WORK
PRESENTED BY:
A Stitch of Hope
By Lana Ouda (Palestine)
Nancy, a Journey of Light
By Nipa Aktar (Bangladesh)
Reshma: A Struggle for Identity
By Suraiya Tasnin Sathi (Bangladesh)
Strong Woman Challenges
By Steven Aganze and Sandrine Lukoo (Democratic Republic of Congo)
