connectHER Film Fest
Offered by connectHER
About This Scholarship
The connectHER Film Fest (formerly the Girls Impact the World Film Festival) invites high school and college students to create original short films about critical issues affecting women and girls worldwide — from education access and health to women in the workplace and the environment. Founded by the nonprofit connectHER, the festival has awarded $345,000 to student filmmakers across its past editions and welcomes filmmakers of any gender.
Films must run 3 to 6 minutes (2 to 6 minutes for animation), be subtitled in English, and be original work completed after October 1, 2025. The CHFF27 award slate includes a $5,000 Judges' Choice grand prize, a $2,500 first runner-up, and $2,500 category awards for best documentary, narrative, animation, People's Choice, and sponsored categories such as Global Impact, Women & Health, Educating Girls, and Women & the Environment.
Submissions for the current cycle are open now, running July 1 through October 1, 2026. Filmmakers must be 13 to 25 years old at the time of submission.
Eligibility
- Filmmakers ages 13 to 25 at the submission date (high school and college students)
- Original short film of 3-6 minutes (2-6 minutes for animation) on issues affecting women and girls
- Films must be subtitled in English and submitted in .mov or .mp4 format
- Any gender may enter; the film's topic must address advancing women and girls
How To Apply
- Produce your short film on a qualifying topic, completed after October 1, 2025
- Include the required graphic crediting two organizations related to your film's cause
- Upload your film at connectherfilmfest.org between July 1 and October 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can men and boys enter?
Yes. Any gender can submit, and there is a dedicated Stand Up Men award category, as long as the film addresses issues related to advancing women and girls.
How are the awards decided?
Judges select winners in the Judges' Choice and category awards, while the People's Choice winner is chosen by judges from the top 10 films with the most public votes.