📅 Friday, April 4, 2025
📍 Paramount Theatre, Austin
🎟️ Audience Choice Voting & Closing Celebration
6:00 PM Doors Open
Welcome & Opening Remarks
🎤 Remarks by: Lila Igram & Elizabeth Avellan
🎤 Remarks by: Alexandra Chando (MC)
Remarks & Introduction of Showcase 1
🎤 Remarks by: Gentil Ishara & Diana Senator
Showcase 1 – Finalist Films
🎬 Films screened:
Sunoti Dream
Diversity Hire (filmmaker attending)
Mehr
The Pad Hustle (filmmaker attending)
Al Maram
The Feelings I Wear (filmmaker attending)
Razia: The Journey of a Uyghur Woman (filmmaker attending)
Mothering Mirrors (filmmaker attending)
Filmmaker Rapid-Fire Q&A
Showcase 1
🎤 Moderator: Sara Hirsh Bordo
Spoken Word Performance
🎤 Performed by: Emi Mahmoud
🎤 Introduced by: Sarah Khan
A stirring, poetic performance by award-winning Sudanese-American poet and former UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
ConnectHER Programs Spotlight
🎤 Remarks by: Halimah Tariq
Remarks & Introduction of Showcase 2
🎤 Announced by: Anabella Funk & Aria Harrell
Showcase 2 – Finalist Films
🎬 Films screened:
In A Moment
What If?
Women Warriors
Beyond The Blood
The Miracle Girl
Eloisa Organic Farm
(Not) My Fault
Put on a Show, Meena
Audience Award Voting
Remarks by Alexandra Chando (MC)
Closing Remarks & Invitation to Saturday’s Events
🎤 Remarks by: Fayruz Benyousef
📅 Saturday, April 5, 2025
📍 Paramount Theatre, Austin
🎟️ VIP Reception to follow
6:00 PM Red Carpet & Guest Arrivals
Guests arrive, walk the red carpet, mingle & take photos.
6:45 PM Opening Performance
🎤 Performed by: Ley Line
7:05 PM Opening Remarks & Filmmaker Celebration
🎤 Remarks by:
Alexandra Chando (MC), Lila Igram (Founder)
& Fayruz Benyousef (Board Chair)
People’s Choice Award
🎤 Presented by: Elizabeth Avellan
Judges’ Choice Finalist Clip:
Diversity Hire
🎤 Introduced by: Zarmeena Vendal, MD
🎬 Directed by Aika Lozar
Global Impact Award
🎤 Presented by: Constance Dykhuizen & Aria Harrell
Sponsored by JP’s Peace Love & Happiness Foundation
PitchFest: Ideas to Impact
🎤 Remarks by: Sarah Jehaan Khan & Sara Hirsh Bordo
Judges’ Choice Finalist Clip:
Al Maram
🎤 Introduced by: Rania Batrice
🎬 Directed by Huda Lulu & Ahmed Younis
Spoken Word Performance
🎤 Performed by: Emi Mahmoud
Award-winning Sudanese-American poet and
former UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
Best Narrative Award
🎤 Presented by: Luna Banuri
Best Documentary Award
🎤 Presented by: Taylor Ellison & Baraah Attal
Judges’ Choice Finalist Clip:
Sunoti Dream
Introduced by: Alexandra Chando (MC)
🎬 Directed by Keya Rani (Bangladesh)
Dance Performance
by Let It Happen: Norah, Yarah & Rosa
Women & Health Award
🎤 Presented by: Christy Carlson Romano
Sponsored by Invest in Her Foundation
ConnectHER Programs Spotlight
🎤 Remarks by: Halimah Tariq
🎬 Video highlighting ConnectHER Clubs, Fellowship, Mentorship & PitchFest
Stand Up Men Award
🎤 Presented by: Kendall Evans & Gentil Ishara Musimwa
Educating Girls Award
🎤 Presented by: Nioma Narissa Sadler
Sponsored by WomenServe
Where Are They Now
🎤 Remarks by: Anabella Funk & Diana Senator
Judges’ Choice Finalist Clip: The Miracle Girl
🎤 Introduced by: Aairah Salam & Zahrah Ahmed
🎬 Directed by Maram Eleyan, Mohammed Eid, Deema Zohod
& Zahra Alqassas (Gaza)
Best Animation Award
🎤 Presented by: Amaya Savoy Easton
Judges’ Choice Awards
🎤 Remarks by: Melissa Barrera & Elizabeth Avellan
Closing Remarks
🎤 Remarks by:
Alexandra Chando (MC), Fayruz Benyousef & Lila Igram
Final Dance Performance
Let It Happen: Norah, Yarah & Rosa take the stage again
VIP Reception Invitation
All VIP ticket holders, filmmakers, sponsors, and presenters.
📍 Upstairs at the Paramount