Read Our Story

ConnectHER founder Lila Igram launched an annual event, Girls Impact the World Film Festival, in 2013 at Harvard University with the help of students. Their goal was to platform authentic representation and elevate the voices and stories of women and girls around the world. Even in its first year, the festival received more than 300 films from around the world, proving that young people desired a place to share their stories. 

In 2017, the venue for the annual festival changed to Austin, Texas where ConnectHER was also based. In 2021, the fest became the ConnectHER Film Festival, shaped by the same intent -- young people shared stories by submitting original short films focused on global womens' issues.

With the help of amazing judges over the years that include Elizabeth Avellán, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Zain Ejiofor Asher and Ian Somerhalder, the festival has awarded prizes to promising young filmmakers and helped them fund their educations and dreams. Some ConnectHER filmmakers are still making films and documentaries, others are activists, but all have made an impact through their films that share stories of inspiring characters reacting to the inequities and barriers that exist for women and girls in every country in the world. 

What is most unique about CHFF is that the films are selected in part for how they present solutions to an issue. One film, Asma, sparked ConnectHER's scholarship program for girls in Bangladesh, which has provided more than $100,000 in educational assistance.  We are grateful to presenting sponsor Eloise DeJoria for belieinvg in us from the beginning and giving us the ability to grow into the global organization we are today.