📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026
📍 TIFF Lightbox
350 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5
The ConnectHER Film Festival is an international short film festival that amplifies the voices of young filmmakers telling powerful stories about issues affecting women and girls around the world. Now in its 14th year, ConnectHER has received more than 2,250 film submissions from 96 countries, celebrating authentic storytelling and its power to inspire action.
For the first time in the festival's history, ConnectHER is bringing its acclaimed program beyond Austin, Texas, with Toronto becoming the inaugural city to host the ConnectHER Film Festival Showcase.
Join us for an inspiring evening of film, converation, and music that celebrates the next generation of global storytellers.
PROGRAM
6:00 PM Red Carpet & Guest Arrivals
Guests arrive, walk the red carpet, mingle & take photos.
7:00 PM Entertainment
Performed by: Faarrow
Pop and R&B Musical Duo
Welcome & Opening remarks
Remarks by: Lila Igram
ConnectHER's Founder & Executive Director
Remarks by: Halimah Tariq
Lawyer, Filmmaker & ConnectHER Fellowship Director
Showcase 1
A Requiem for School
by A. Y., Afghanistan
Peighton
by Kevin Brooks, United States
Torn Homeland
by Khawla Al Ashi and Mohammed Ghrab, Palestine
Mothering Mirrors
by Simone Thomas-Rowe, United States
Lorenza
by Karla Enriqueta Noriega and Maria José Noriega, Mexico/US
Diversity Hire
by Aiko Lozar, United States
Seeds & Roots
by Woroud Al Qassas and Ibrahim Al Mashharawi, Palestine
ConnectHER's Impact in Gaza
Remarks by: Nour Hadidi
Comedian, Writer & Actor
Remarks by: Giovanna Batista
CHFF Filmmaker
Showcase 2
Pirouz
by Anonymous, Iran
One Step Forward
by Rita Xiang, Tibet
Lucía
by Gerardo Torres Hernández & Alfredo Gómez Ordoñez, Mexico
Repairing Society's Moral Fabric with and Old Art Form
by Lubanga Hakim, Uganda
Wash Your Hands of My Blood
by Anahita Seraji, Canada
What I Love the Most
by Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh, Vietnam
Helado
by Sol Guerrero, United States
Filmmakers Q&A
Audience Award Winner
Entertainment
Performed by: Faarrow
Pop and R&B Musical Duo
9:00 PM Closing Remarks
Remarks by Constance Dykhuizen
CHFF Storytelling & Strategy
Wedad Jaber
CHFF Development & Operations
Marta Vizcarro
CHFF Art Direction