La Femme International Film Festival 2025 Wraps With Bold Stories and Global Impact

LOS ANGELES, CA — The 21st annual La Femme International Film Festival wrapped in Los Angeles, celebrating women filmmakers with four days of screenings, panels and honors. Held at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE and streamed virtually via Eventive, the hybrid event welcomed attendees from more than 30 countries, continuing its mission to amplify women’s voices in film. The festival showcased more than 100 films and projects across genres and formats.

Founded in 2005 by Leslie LaPage, La Femme has become a vital platform for women directors, producers and writers, showcasing work that challenges industry norms and expands representation. This year’s festival featured a diverse lineup of films and conversations focused on equity, inclusion and creative innovation.

As La Femme marked its 21st year, it reaffirmed its commitment to elevating women’s stories and reshaping the future of cinema. With its growing global reach and continued focus on empowerment, the festival remains a beacon for bold storytelling and lasting impact.

The festival concluded with the announcement of its top awards, celebrating bold storytelling and global perspectives. Best feature film went to “Don’t Let Them Out” by Lila McLaughlin, while Zoe Quist received best director for “Glitched.” Anahi Borges won best foreign film for “É Tempo de Amoras.”

Documentary honors included “The Window on Death Row” by Linda Catherine Freund, which won best documentary. Claire Sandberg received best special focus documentary for “The Ramba Effect,” and “Mama’s Voice” by Ganna Yarovenko earned an honorable mention.

In short-form categories, “The HOLE Truth” by Alison Whitney and Natasha Goss won best short film, while Amber Greenwood’s “Horse Girl” took best animated short. “Nepo Baby” by Khanh Nguyen received best foreign short. Additional honors went to Cat Davies for best music video with “Collecting Dust,” and Zoey Hudson for best webisode with “The Crit(ique).”

In screenwriting, Katie Ryan and Dana Fares won best screenplay for “Bathwater,” and Lauri Levenfeld received best TV pilot script for “Murder of the Wolf.”

For more information, visit www.lafemme.org.

Photo Highlights From The 2025 La Femme International Film Festival

Max Reeves

Elissa Shay

Tom Franco

Anzu Lawsen

Penny Edmiston (left), Elissa Shay and Iris Torres

Elissa Shay and Johnny Ferro