The UK’s leading international women’s film festival

Women X is proudly hosted by Rianne Pictures, created as a solution for the lack of programming of female talent within the film festival and distribution world.

We are a BIFA accredited festival supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network. Based in the North of England, and showcasing some of the best established and emerging talent from women and gender non conforming filmmakers from around the globe.

Your Story Belongs on Our Screen

Why Submit?
From the exciting emerging filmmakers to seasoned storytellers, we champion talent that challenges the mainstream and connects audiences to the emotion in their stories. Your film could screen alongside award-winning works and be part of a festival that’s shaping the future of cinema beyond the barriers.

Founded by a working class filmmaker, Women X is about blending the rich talents from across the UK sharing untold stories from regions less represented, as well as high budget works and international tales for discovery.

Take your change to share your film to an engaged audience, access exclusive workshops, panels, and networking, and be part of a community that amplifies underrepresented voices in film.

Features, Shorts and Script Submissions are now open on Filmfreeway!

Darlington’s Indie Film Festival

Top 100 Rated Film Festival on Filmfreeway, BIFA Accrediated.

Calling all filmmakers! Submit your shorts (up to 40 minutes), features (up to 120 minutes), or short film scripts for Women X Film Festival and join a community celebrating bold, original storytelling.

Deadline: May 29th — submit now on FilmFreeway!

Missing us? Reflect back on the 2025 film programme

Our biggest year ever, over 140 short films from across the world which our audiences just LOVED.

Click below to head the film index!

2025 Film Index

New here?

We’re more than just back to back films in a dark room, from our ‘meet the filmmaker roundtables’ to our themed quiz nights and our festival cafe craft sessions. Accompanied by our evening events and writers lab workshops, coming to Darlington for our festival is a break away to fill your film loving heart with an inspirational and fun experience.

When: September 18th - 20th, 2026.

Where: Darlington Hippodrome, Hullaballoo Theatre & Darlington Library (County Durham)

What: A weekend of independent short films from across the world made by women, for everyone to enjoy.

Why: In the mainstream film industry, women hold only approximately 22% of key creative roles like directing, writing, producing, and executive producing. Our festival works towards changing this figure.

How: Filmmakers enter our competition, we curate the best of the films, you come to enjoy them and support their careers at the same time.

Who for? For anyone who loves film, you don’t need to be a member of the industry to enjoy a weekend of brilliant stories with us, you’re welcome into our festival village.

Families are welcome too!

Each year we work with the brilliant Magic Light Pictures to host Julia Donaldson favourites affordable for families. Because why should you miss out on the festival experience?

With dimmed lighting, reduced sound and family crafting session in our cafe space, this is always a popular sold out event for families.

FAQ’s

1.What is Women X?

Women X Film Festival is a celebration of bold, original storytelling by women and non-binary filmmakers. Across 3 days in Darlington, we’ll host film screenings, Q&As, workshops, and panel discussions all designed to inspire, connect, and entertain. You don’t need to be “in the industry” to attend — everyone is welcome! Connecting children to film and beloved stories is important to us too, which is why we have Family Cinema and Crafts on the Sunday morning!

2. Do I need to know anything about film to come along?

Not at all! Our festival is for everyone from first-time festival-goers to lifelong film lovers. If you enjoy watching great stories on screen and want to be part of a creative, welcoming community, this is the place for you. Especially if you’re a bit fed up of streaming sites and the lack of cinema listings locally!

3. Where is the festival held?

The festival takes place at Darlington Hippodrome, and Darlington Library. So easy to reach by car, bus, and train, and there are plenty of local cafes, restaurants, and places to explore nearby. We even have an airport on the egde of town!

4. How can I submit my work to the festival?

You can head over to our Filmfreeway page here to read our full rudes and guidelines, there is a small submission fee to support the running costs of the festival, and the programmers time. We accept scripts, short films and feature films.

5. I’ve never been to a film festival so what can I expect?

Think of it like a weekend packed with amazing films, inspiring conversations, and a friendly community vibe. You can book individual tickets for screenings or grab a festival pass if you want to see more. We’ll also have panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, perfect if you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes world of film. The vibe of Women X is very relaxed, if you don’t fancy a film you can chill out with a book and a coffee in our cafe, catch up on some laptop work or chat to other guests while you’re taking a break from the screens.

6. How do I buy tickets?

Tickets and passes will be available online closer to the festival dates so keep an eye on our website and social media for announcements, and get yourself signed up to the newsletter! We recommend booking early, as some screenings and events have limited capacity and often sell out.

7. How can I support the festival?

As a volunteer-led organisation, we rely on community support to make the festival happen. You can help us by buying tickets, spreading the word, bringing friends, or purchasing merchandise, with all funds going directly towards supporting the festival and locally made, female-directed films.

We also welcome local businesses and partners to get involved through sponsorship, award support, or collaborative projects such as panels, workshops, or special events. Every form of support helps us continue championing new voices in film and growing the Women X community. Just email us for our partnerships pitch deck with options.

What people love about Women X Fest…

  • A really wonderful time, everyone in the Rianne Pictures team was so welcoming and set up a really great atmosphere to meet other filmmakers, unwind and work on our projects all whilst attending the festival. Screening blocks were well curated and packed with great stuff. Definitely one to attend again!

    Jodie Irvine, 2024 Alumni

  • I'm so thankful and appreciative of the work Rianne Pictures and their determination to put women and non-binary narratives on the forefront. I feel so honored that they screened my film. Can't wait to submit again!

    Giovanna Trujillo, 2024 Alumni

  • Brilliantly supportive festival, BIFA qualifying - and great communication from the team. So happy to have screened with our short 'fishing' :) Love what they stand for at Women X. Also the social media is iconic!

    Esme Allen, 2024 Alumni

  • Love what the team at Women X are doing and was so proud to bring Fifty-Four Days, Ceres and Measure to the festival this year. I look forward to submitting many more films in future!

    Cat White, 2023 Alumni

  • Women X is such a joyful festival, with so many brilliant women working to make every event inclusive, supportive and enjoyable. It's the kind of festival i would travel to attend even without a film showing. I can't wait for the next year!

    Misha McCullagh, 2023 Alumni

  • Another magical year at the Women's X festival! The selection of the films was top-notch. Our film shined along the other gems in the "Something Wicked This Way Comes" strand. Big kudos to the curation of the programme. Another big applause, to the people organising the festival, the films themselves and the filmmakers; all were really inspiring!

    Athanasia Bartzoka, 2022/2023 Alumni

  • Women X was a great event. Communication was very clear and the sense of community was strong. The festival had a great turn out and the audiences felt engaged, enthusiastic and supportive. It was a great environment for filmmakers to mingle and connect.

    Joanne Michael, 2023 Alumni

  • Women X is an absolutely fantastic festival and this year was no exception. As a filmmaker, the communications and what they needed before the festival was great. It was super easy to get to the festival and once there, there was so much to do. I really enjoyed the workshops they put on and left feeling inspired and with new connections that I hope to nurture and collaborate with for the future. 10/10 excited to go back.

    Samantha Castro, 2023 Alumni

  • One of my absolute favourite festivals! Really terrific support and the loveliest team and audience

    Louise Nesbitt, 2022 Alumni

  • Cannot say enough good things about this festival! From start to finish, it was an amazing experience. The panels, each program, the talkbacks, the social networking events, accommodations made at the venue... all of it! Caris and team are creating an incredible community and it was a true gift to participate in it this year. Can't wait for the next one!

    Averi Israel, 2022 Alumni

  • Women X may be a new festival but the professionalism of the organisers and care put into the festival is far superior to many "established" festivals I've attended. The team's communication is fabulous and they worked miracles around the whole Covid situation, as well as selecting a really terrific program. They give female filmmakers lots of support and a great platform to talk about their work. A brilliant festival!

    Natalia Andreadis, 2021 Alumni

  • If you're looking for a festival that's personal, supportive, inclusive and run by caring people who clearly love film, and want to bring people together. And do it with style. Women X is everything. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend x

    Kathryn MacCorgarry Gray, 2020/2021/2022 Alumni

Put Your Brand Where Bold Stories Live

Women X Film Festival champions female and underrepresented filmmakers from across the globe.

Join us and get in front of 8,000+ film lovers who care about creativity, inclusion, and making cinema matter.

Our sponsorship options come in several levels and include a variety of collaborations:

  • Your logo on screens, printed materials, and socials (front and centre!)

  • Sponsor a panel, award, or workshop (align your brand with a great cause!)

  • Help champion talented & underrepresented voices and shape the future of film (your support fuels new talent and bold stories!)

Book your sponsorship space by emailing us info@riannepictures.com