Adept at living off the grid ever since she masterminded an act of violence against the American government, 25-year-old former radical Jenny Shimada (Hong Chau) agrees to take care of three fugitives who are on the run. One of them, the kidnapped granddaughter of a wealthy newspaper magnate (Sarah Gadon), has become a national celebrity for embracing her captors’ ideology and joining their revolutionary cell.

Directed by Semi Chellas

On the surface, Isa's life seems lovely: adorable daughters, a pleasant husband. But her surrealist imaginings suggest a suppressed revolt against the societal and domestic pressures placed on her.

Directed by Antonella Sudasassi Furniss

An acerbic comedian (Sasheer Zamata) becomes romantically entangled with her ex (Tone Bell), his new girlfriend (DeWanda Wise), and another guest (Y’Lan Noel) during a weekend getaway, in the newest feature from Stella Meghie (Jean of the Joneses).

Directed by Stella Meghie

Hunter (Haley Bennett, The Girl on the Train), a newly pregnant housewife with a seemingly perfect life, finds herself increasingly and inexplicably compelled to swallow dangerous household objects. As her husband and his family tighten their control over her life, she must confront the repressed trauma that sparked her new obsession.

Directed by Carlo Mirabella-Davis with Cinematography by Katelin Arizmendi.

We are pleased to present a selection of documentary shorts directed by women.

Selina Miles’s film is a portrait of photographer Martha Cooper, who, with inimitable energy and a sharp eye, recorded images of New York City in the 1970s and 1980s—eras when the city’s vibrancy was deemed dangerous. Cooper’s images of graffiti and hip-hop culture showcased a joyous street life that now exists simply as frozen smiles in a city transformed by real estate greed.

Directed by Selina Miles

Alice Guy-Blaché was a true pioneer who got into the movie business at the very beginning—in 1894, at the age of 21. Two years later, she was made head of production at the French film studio Gaumont, where she started directing films. In 1910, she and her husband moved to the United States, and she founded her own company, Solax—but by 1919, Guy-Blaché’s career came to an abrupt end.

Directed by Pamela B. Green

Carolina Hellsgård’s chilling second feature follows two women fighting for their lives in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies — a future Hellsgård presents as both horrific and hopeful.

Directed by Carolina Hellsgård

In Laura Luchetti’s dark drama about companionship, lost innocence, and shared destiny, two teenagers — one on the run from the immigrant trafficker her father used to work for, the other an illegal migrant from the Ivory Coast ­— form an unlikely but powerful bond as they travel together across the harsh and beautiful Sardinian landscape.

Directed by Laura Luchetti

In this futuristic fairy tale, Uma (Emma Roberts) wakes to find herself at Paradise Hills, a facility where high-class families send their daughters to become perfect versions of themselves.

Directed by Alice Waddington

As hip hop music was taking off in the late 80s and 90s, associated fashion trends and styles were also making their voice heard. And both were largely dominated by men. But as the voices of Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, and Lil’ Kim grew louder, so too did the influence of their female designers and stylists working behind the scenes.

Directed by: Lisa Cortes and Farah X.

Join us for a vibrant lineup of live action and animated narrative short films by women directors.

Filmmaker Rosine Mbakam lived in Cameroon with her mother Bamiléké until she was 27. In her first feature-length documentary, she compares that time in the country to darkness: a place she is familiar with, but can’t fully fathom yet. After studying film in Belgium she, her son and a camera returned to shed light on that darkness. Liberated from her traditional upbringing and a mother herself now, she views the lives of Cameroon women from an entirely new perspective.

Directed by Rosine Mbakam

Benedetta Barzini wants to disappear. An iconic fashion model in the 1960s, she became a muse to Warhol, Dali, Penn, and Avedon. As a radical feminist in the 1970s, she fought for the rights and emancipation of women.

Directed by Beniamino Barrese with editing by Valentina Cicogna.

Working Within A Broken Criminal Justice System, A Team Of Rebel Heroines Work To Change The The Way Women Arrested For Prostitution Are Prosecuted. With Intimate Camerawork That Lingers On Details And Brings The Queens Criminal Courtroom To Life, BLOWIN’ UP Celebrates Acts Of Steadfast Defiance, Even As It Reveals The Hurdles These Women Must Face.

Directed by Stephanie Wang-Breal

A heartbroken woman becomes entangled with a younger girl after breaking into her ex's lake house in the Pacific Northwest. Equal parts psychological drama and sexual coming-of-age story, Clementine is a tense rumination on who to love and how to let go.

Directed by Lara Jean Gallagher

Knives and Skin follows the investigation of a young girl’s disappearance in a rural Midwestern town that hovers just above reality, led by an inexperienced local sheriff. Unusual coping techniques develop among the traumatized small-town residents with each new secret revealed, and the ripple of fear and suspicion destroys some relationships while strengthening others.

Directed by Jennifer Reeder

Dolly Wells’ feature debut GOOD POSTURE begins our weekend of films at the Brattle. Wells has crafted a contemporary, sharp-witted comedy with this tale of two women whose eccentricities unexpectedly draw out change and growth in the other.

Directed by Dolly Wells

Emilia is a 30-something bisexual woman who refuses to grow up, despite the fact that her friends already have. Angélica is getting married; Clara and Renata seem to have their lives figured out—amazing jobs, family, kids—while Emilia is still living with her mother and trying to define her relationship with Mariana.

Directed by Ruth Caudeli

Join us at The Sinclair, 52 Church Street, Cambridge, MA for the official Boston Women’s Film Festival opening night party! There will be yummy food from The Sinclair Restaurant and cash bar!

Julia Hart’s FAST COLOR opens the MFA, Boston half of the second annual Boston Women’s Film Festival.

Directed by Julia Hart

We are excited to be opening the Boston Women’s Film Festival at the Brattle Theatre with Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann’s SISTER AIMEE!

Directed by Marie Schlingmann and Samantha Buck