Read Our Story

Armed with the mission to authentically represent the voices and stories of women and girls around the world, ConnectHER founder Lila Igram launched an annual film festival in 2012 with the help of Harvard students and groups.

Through the ConnectHER Film Festival, high school and college students submit original short films focused on critical women’s issues such as girls’ education, ending violence against women, poverty & economic independence, and authentic beauty/body image.

We're thrilled with how the film festival is turning students into filmmakers—and filmmakers into activists.

To further spark youth activism, in 2016 Connecther launched the ConnectHER Film Festival global chapters. Now from Nepal to NYC, students meet to watch films and support each other’s efforts to create social change.

2,250

FILM SUBMISSIONS

$345,000

AWARDED

96

COUNTRIES

Meet Out Team

Lila Igram

Executive Director & Founder

As ConnectHER's founder, Lila spent the last decade developing a global platform to showcase films and to facilitate investment in initiatives led by local and indigenous women. Lila has a degree in Economics from the University of Iowa and worked for the advocacy organization FLOW which is dedicated to the furtherance of the Conscious Capitalism movement.

Wedad Jaber

Project Management

Wedad's diverse background in finance, analytics, and operations gained through experience in both nonprofit and corporate environments makes her the perfect person to manage programs and accounting. She believed nonprofits play a vital role as first responders during crises, offering immediate assistance and crucial community support. This deeply aligns with her passion for creating impactful change.

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Constance Dykhuizen

Storytelling & Strategy

Constance leads storytelling and provides strategy for ConnectHER programs. She also manages our project partner grants. She most loves traveling and learning from people making impact in their communities.

Marta Vizcarro

Art Direction & Production Assistance

A Catalan based in Toronto, Canada, Marta shapes ConnectHER's branding and visual design across all programs. She started as a volunteer, but fell in love with the Film Festival and has been working behind the scenes on art direction, film festival production coordination and submissions ever since.