The program will open with the German premiere of “Her Difference,” a French romantic comedy about a young researcher learning she might be on the autism spectrum.
Other highlights include the U.S. dramedy “Where in the Hell,” about a woman stranded when her girlfriend disappears during a road trip; Turkey’s “Not What You Think,” which follows three siblings navigating old tensions after their father’s death; and the Ukrainian film “Honeymoon,” about a couple trapped in their Kyiv apartment during the first days of the Russian invasion, to close the festival.
All screenings will have English subtitles — many will be accompanied by a Q&A with the filmmakers and some will followed by special add-on events.
The French film, "Natural Yeasts,” about a Colombian immigrant moving to France to make natural wine, will be followed by a wine tasting. And a programme of nine environmentally-themed short films from Singapore, Poland, South Africa and more, will include a Japanese moss ball plant workshop afterward.
There will also be a panel discussion on “how setbacks can fuel creative growth,” what happens when creativity collides with artificial intelligence, and a speed networking session, in keeping with the festival’s ethos of connecting women across the industry.
“It's so important to build connections and to share ideas and advice and really lift each other up,” Russman said.
All screenings will take place in Neukölln at Kino Moviemento. Last year, more than 800 attendees turned out to Germany’s oldest cinema for the festival.
Though “female” is in the title, the organizers emphasize that all are welcome and should find something that resonates in the line-up.
“These are not just female-centric topics. These are wonderful films that really define and showcase the vibrant and varied human condition,” Russman said.
