Nevada Women’s Film Festival Returns to Las Vegas to Celebrate Global Women Storytellers
Article by Lauren Jones Co-founder of Alter New Media
Las Vegas is preparing to welcome filmmakers, creatives, and cinema enthusiasts as the 12th Annual Nevada Women’s Film Festival (NWFFest) returns from March 19–22, 2026, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Department of Film. The four-day event will spotlight a powerful lineup of films created by and about women, highlighting diverse perspectives from across the globe.
This year’s festival will feature 72 films representing 15 countries, including documentaries, feature films, shorts, animation, and television projects. Alongside international entries, the program also celebrates the voices of local Nevada filmmakers, reinforcing the state’s growing presence in the independent film community.
Founded in 2015 and produced by Women in Film Nevada, the Nevada Women’s Film Festival was created to address the lack of gender equity in the film industry and to amplify the stories and contributions of women in cinema. Its mission remains focused on supporting fair representation and creating space for historically marginalized voices through storytelling.
Film, Dialogue, and Industry Insight
In addition to film screenings, NWFFest offers attendees a chance to engage directly with filmmakers and industry leaders through panel discussions and networking events.
Panels scheduled for the 2026 festival include conversations on topics such as:
- The State of the Industry in Nevada
- The Perils & Possibilities of Generative AI
- The Vertical Vision
- Building a Filmmaking Community
These sessions aim to foster meaningful dialogue about the evolving landscape of filmmaking and the opportunities available to emerging creatives.
Festivalgoers can also participate in mixers, meetups, and the annual Femmy Awards, which recognize excellence in filmmaking across categories such as documentaries, short films, animation, and films highlighting LGBTQ+ representation.
Honoring Leaders in Film
A highlight of this year’s event will be the presentation of the 2026 Nevada Woman of Achievement Award to Emily Skyle-Golden, an award-winning filmmaker and founder of the Cordillera International Film Festival. During the festival, Skyle-Golden will participate in an on-stage conversation and audience Q&A exploring her career and contributions to the film industry.
A Platform for Women’s Voices
As conversations around equity and representation continue across the entertainment industry, events like NWFFest provide a vital platform for women filmmakers to showcase their work, build networks, and reach new audiences.
By highlighting stories that reflect a wide range of cultures, identities, and lived experiences, the festival continues to shape conversations about inclusion in media while strengthening Nevada’s creative ecosystem.
With screenings, discussions, and community events taking place throughout the weekend, the Nevada Women’s Film Festival is expected to once again bring together storytellers and audiences who believe in the power of film to inspire dialogue and drive change. Nevada is making women’s history during International Women’s History Month.
Festival passes and tickets are currently available through the festival’s official website.
