A press release has introduced the Coven Film Festival, a collection of world-class short films “made by women, for everyone.” Set to take place February 9 at the New People Cinema in San Francisco, the inaugural fest will feature a full day of curated screenings as well as filmmaker Q&As.
More than 200 films were submitted from 19 countries. The fest is “dedicated to showcasing short films by underrepresented emerging women filmmakers with a lineup that includes work from creators of all ages and genres while spotlighting Bay Area artists,” the release notes. Coven was created by women filmmakers, producers, and entrepreneurs “inspired to build a festival that is accessible and welcoming to springboard talent.”
Coven’s founders include filmmaker Cameo Wood, actor-producer Connie Jo Sechrist, and Tanji CEO and founder Melinda Fox.
Among the shorts set to screen are Aqsa Altaf’s “One Small Step,” the story of a nine-year-old girl whose mom goes missing, and Jody Miller’s “Come On In,” a portrait of a woman determined to have a meaningful relationship.
“Coven is a gathering of like-minded people, as the name suggests. It’s our not-so-secret society of artists whose points of view deserve to be shared and amplified,” said Wood. The “Real Artists” writer-director and her co-founders prioritized making the fest an accessible space. “It was important to us to remove major barriers of entry from the start,” she explained. “Our entry fee was far below industry standard, and we offered a suite of waivers to ensure anyone who wanted to submit their work could. We’ve also priced festival tickets at $25 for audiences giving them access to 25 films, multiple Q&As with filmmakers, and a panel featuring industry creatives and our partners.”
Wood emphasized that Coven offers an inclusive platform, remarking, “This event spotlights women storytellers, and recognizes that not every woman is young, white, middle-class, cisgender, or able-bodied. Our mission is to amplify all women’s stories — emphasizing indigenous, disabled, and women of color — told by women creators.”
Find more information about the fest and purchase tickets via its official website.
