The Female Eye is a competitive international women director’s film festival established in 2001, as a not-for-profit organization.
The 19th Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) is March 4th - 7th at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Films must be produced within two years of the festival event date. Films must be directed by a woman. Screenplays can be written by both men and women (screenplays written by men must feature a female protagonist). The Female Eye showcases high caliber independent films that illuminate the best of debut, emerging, and established women directors from around the globe.
Mission and Mandate
• Offer a perspective through the Female Eye
• Enlighten, educate and entertain through independent cinema
• Illuminate the best of debut, emerging and established filmmakers
• Celebrate the relationship between the written, visual and media arts
Script Development is a three tier program comprised of the Good To Go, an industry pitch session for screenwriters with scripts that are good to go. The Script Reading Series whereby ACTRA Members read main scenes from scripts selected. Scripts are read in front of a live audience including industry delegates who provide feedback to the writers. The Script Development Program is open to both men and women, screenplays must feature a female protagonist. The 6th Annual LIVE PITCH (March 2021), is sponsored by Cinespace, Cash Prize $2500 for Best Pitch.
The Female Eye serves to bridge the gap between the written, visual and media arts with an eclectic program of Film Screenings, Script Readings, FeFF Photo Exhibit, along with a robust Industry Initiatives Program of panels, workshops, and pitch sessions.
The FeFF recognizes one outstanding internationally recognized woman who has contributed to the advancement of the media arts with the HONORARY DIRECTOR and HONORARY MAVERICK AWARD with a BEST IN THE BIZ TRIBUTE. Film Awards are presented for Best of Show, Best Foreign Feature, Best Canadian Feature, Best Debut Feature, Best Feature Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Animation and Best Experimental. Screenplay Awards are presented for Best Screenplay, Best Foreign, Best Canadian, Best Comedy, Best Drama and the Audience Choice Award *(script reading series).
The Female Eye, noted for its intimate atmosphere, great programming, and accessibility attracts film enthusiasts, emerging, and internationally recognized directors, screen writers, seasoned industry professionals, celebrities, and decision makers in film and television. All filmmakers and screenwriters are notified.
For eight consecutive years (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) the Female Eye Film Festival has been voted “Top 50 film festivals in the world worthy the entry fee” by the renowned independent Movie Maker magazine. FeFF is an accredited festival by the Canadian Academy of Film and Television.
FeFF awards are hand-welded statuettes by Dawson Calvert and are presented for Best Films and Best Screenplays at the Closing Awards Ceremony. Awards are presented for Best of Show, Best Foreign Feature, Best Canadian Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Debut Feature, Best Short Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental. Screenplay Awards are presented for Best Screenplay, Best Foreign, Best Canadian, Best Drama, Best Comedy, and Audience Choice Award.
Please note the competition is not covered by arts councils nor government sponsors. We leave it to the filmmakers, producers and their assigns to determine if their film can compete internationally for an award. The flat fee to enter into completion is $100 regardless of deadline.
Best Live Pitch (March 2021) wins a $2500 cash prize. Development and Equipment Grants augment film and screenplay awards annually.