The Valley is known for its creativity and culture.

Recently, the Phoenix area became the center of female-driven storytelling as the 2024 Worldwide Women’s Film Festival kicked off its annual event. 

Held March 8-10 at the Harkins Shea 14 in Scottsdale, Ariz., filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world came to celebrate the power of women in cinema. 

Now in its sixth year, the festival continues to serve as a beacon of empowerment, spotlighting diverse talents and stories shown by women in the film industry. 

More than 40+ movies were set to be shown throughout the weekend, showcasing inspiring women in film. The festival serves as an outlet to give the works a platform they deserve but may not have had otherwise. 

The films shown were put into two categories, shorts for those that went under 60 minutes and feature lengths for those that went over. 

However, watching films was just one facet of the festival’s offerings; attendees also indulged in pre-screening happy hours and post-movie after parties that extended well into the night. 

There were also multiple “workshops” where film makers and directors talked and shared ideas with the crowd about various topics in film. 

Worldwide Women’s Film Festival executive director Kim Huenecke talked about the reason for the festival and her goals the future. 

“Our main objective is to give women filmmakers a voice and to tell their stories,” Huenecke said. “I want this to grow to a weeklong…more workshops… (the ability to) give a young female filmmaker a grant to go to film school.” 

 Gauthier Radd and Dineta Trigg who direct film festivals in the U.S, France and Canada spoke about why they came to the WWFF. 

“We came today to run a workshop and facilitate a panel talking about film distribution and funding for independent film makers,” Trigg said. 

“What I love about Phoenix is the audience, they are so open to any new project and there is a place actually for everybody,” Radd said. 

Radd also added his thoughts about the importance of the festival. 

“I think it’s important to always give back to the community, as filmmakers you can never do film by yourself,” Radd said. “It’s a mindset of sharing, helping, being part and you never know… you might find the director of your next film at this film festival.”