Women’s International Film Festival in Budapest Next Year

In June, next year, Budapest will host for the first time the 'La Femme International Film Festival Europe' (LAFIFFE) — the first international film festival in Hungary dedicated specifically to highlighting women filmmakers. The event is the European sister festival of the Los Angeles-based La Femme International Film Festival, which has been celebrating women’s storytelling, talent, and professional dialogue for 21 years.

The European edition was introduced at a press conference in Budapest by Leslie LaPage, the Los Angeles-based founder, together with the European co-founders and organizers: Fanni Forgács, young filmmaker, producer, and director; Judit Parádi, communications expert and cultural festival organizer; and Zita Szécsi, HR specialist and film location manager.

According to the organizers, their goal is to establish a Budapest-based international women’s film festival with European reach and professional significance, building upon the network that the American sister festival has developed over the past 21 years.

Beyond traditional values, LAFIFFE’s strength lies in its professional content, offering practical knowledge-sharing, genuine networking opportunities, and industry discussions about film financing, investor relations, professional development, and the film industry itself — as well as the chance to meet potential international film partners of the future.

Over the four days, the program will feature curated screenings and professional panel discussions. The festival will open with an exclusive networking event, followed by community meetups and a festive awards ceremony on Sunday.

Submissions open on November 17, 2025, on filmfreeway.com in eleven categories: feature film, documentary, short film (professional and student categories), screenplay, TV pilot script, commercial/music video, web episode, mid-length film, animated film, animated short film and thematic documentary.

Eligible works must have at least one woman in a leading creative role — director, producer, or screenwriter.

A key focus of the festival is to support young talent: the student categories aim to provide the next generation with a platform for international recognition.
One of LAFIFFE’s unique features is that the winning films in four categories — short film, animated short film, documentary, and feature film — will receive a one-week theatrical run in Los Angeles, making them eligible for Oscar consideration.

Since its founding in 2005, the La Femme International Film Festival has given more than 3,000 women filmmakers worldwide the opportunity to present their work. Its mission has always been to shine a spotlight on women creators, supporting them from their first short film through their debut feature, while providing a network, community, and professional backing at every step of their journey.

Both the U.S. and European LAFIFF festivals share the principle that every submitted project must include at least one woman in a leading creative role — director, producer, or screenwriter. This requirement is not a restriction but a meaningful step toward diversity and equality within the industry.