The city of Madrid will become the capital of women’s film thanks to the International Women's Film Festival, which is holding its ninth edition from 27 October to 8 November 2026. The latest programme, spread over 17 venues across the city centre, includes a selection of around 70 international and Spanish feature films, covering fiction, documentary and animation
The festival was set up in 2018 to become an annual event on the national film festival calendar. It is promoted by women, men, entities and companies that want to raise the visibility of the film work of a significant part of the population, which does not always reach the public on equal terms, and to put forward women’s point of view in film creation.
The main objective is to highlight the work and points of view of women in creation and the film industry. Although it is aimed at all audiences, particular emphasis is placed on future generations in order to offer female role models to drive changes towards real equity.
The International Competition (10 feature films) and the International Scene (4 feature films from Canada and China) will be screened at Cineteca Madrid, while the Berlanga Hall at the SGAE Foundation will host the Spanish Competition (10 feature films). The remaining venues for the 2026 edition are: Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Spanish National Library, Casa Árabe in Madrid, Casa de América, Cine Doré at the Filmoteca Española, Cinemateca Pedro Zerolo, Cinesa Proyecciones, DAMA - Audiovisual Copywright, Post-Graduate School at Camilo José Cela University, Espacio Fundación Telefónica, Casa de México Foundation in Spain, the Goethe Institut Madrid, the French Institute, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and Sala Equis.
The Opening Gala (27 October) will be held at Cinesa Proyecciones and the Closing Ceremony will be held on 8 November at the Press Palace. Much of the programme will be available on-line through the Filmin platform and the 8madrid TV channel, which will air a series of films from its collection of female authors.
Each edition features an invited country to offer an insight into recent film production from a specific region. In 2026, there will be a section devoted to female Mexican directors, FOCUS MEXICO 2026. It will feature leading female directors, thanks to the collaboration with the Casa de Mexico Foundation in Spain and the Autonomous University of Mexico in Madrid. The 6 selected feature films are directed by some of today’s most powerful and innovative female directors and will be screened at the Film Academy and at Cinetcea Madrid. A further 6 feature films will be screened at the Casa de Mexico Foundation’s cinema in Spain and there will also be a round table.
As usual, there will be no lack of professional and educational activities, such as meetings, round tables, master classes and presentations, to foster knowledge and equity in all stages of film creation.
See Full Programme
