CHFF25 Recap
CONNECTHER FILM FESTIVAL 2025
A Historic Weekend
at the Paramount Theatre
This year, we made a bold move—hosting the ConnectHER Film Festival for the very first time at the iconic Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas. It was a huge leap for us, but the response was overwhelming: packed audiences, two unforgettable nights, and a flood of energy, inspiration, and connection.
Friday Night:
Stories on Screen,
Voices in the Room
Night one was all about the filmmakers. Every attending finalist had their full short film screened, followed by a live Q&A. The audience voted in real time for their favorite—and the Audience Award went to The Pad Hustle, a powerful film by a 17-year-old who was visibly moved as she accepted the award.
“This experience meant the world to me. I met so many amazing girls and women who are out here changing the game—and I’m walking away, inspired, motivated, and full of gratitude. The support, the love, the connections—I’ll carry it all with me. This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning. Thank you for believing in my voice and this mission.”
Spoken word artist Emi Mahmoud brought the house down with a deeply moving performance, setting the tone for the entire weekend. As filmmaker Halimah Tariq reflected:
“Despite everything happening in the world, ConnectHER continues to bring us together on a global level. Being part of it is a powerful reminder that we're connected to something bigger than ourselves. That's the magic of this space.”
Saturday Night:
Awards, Impact,
and Talent
Even though the filmmakers from Gaza couldn’t attend in person, their presence was deeply felt. Filmmaker Sarah Jehaan Khan said:
“I had goosebumps sitting in a packed theatre, watching the stories from Gaza unfold, knowing the young filmmakers were live-streaming the festival as they could not attend in person.”
In a surprise moment, all three finalist films in the Global Impact Award category—representing Indonesia, Palestine and Bangladesh—were awarded $2,500 each thanks to JP’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation.
As one finalist shared:
“Being able to attend the ConnectHER Film Festival and screen my film for the first time at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Saturday’s awards ceremony recognized 12 winning films across 11 categories, totaling $32,500 in prizes. Out of 150 submissions from 23 countries, 35 finalist films from 11 countries competed. It was a night full of standing ovations.
Austin’s own Leyline played a mini-set to start the night off and Let It Happen returned for two electrifying performances, and Emi Mahmoud graced the stage again with spoken word poem that left the audience near tears. One of the most powerful moments came during the Grand Prize presentation, awarded to The Miracle Girl, a breathtaking short film by a young Palestinian filmmaker from Gaza, who told the true story of Rema Aldremli, a young woman navigating life in Gaza as a burn survivor. Melissa Barrera, who had the honor of presenting the award, said:
“I was so inspired and moved by all of the shorts. The talent I witnessed and the love that these up-and-coming filmmakers are putting into the stories they are choosing to tell give me so much hope for the future of our industry.”
More Than a Festival
“I’ve had the privilege of presenting at several ConnectHER festivals over the years, but this year’s felt especially powerful.”
“To hear stories at the Film Fest from so many different filmmakers, my heart is forever touched.”
“Thank you to ConnectHER for creating such a powerful space for young filmmakers to share their stories and be seen. The experience meant the world to me. I'm walking away inspired, motivated and full of gratitude. Thank you for believing in my voice.”
Gratitude and Community
To end the festival, we gathered for a beautiful VIP reception—a moment to connect and celebrate all that had unfolded. Huge thanks to Amber Design Concepts for the incredible love and detail they poured into designing the space, and to all of our generous in-kind sponsors who helped make the evening so special. It was the perfect close to the festival.
To our brave filmmakers, our tireless team, our extraordinary host committee & Gems, generous sponsors, our presenting sponsor Eloise DeJoria, and the legendary Paramount Theatre—thank you. We absolutely loved meeting every single finalist and introducing your stories to a wider audience.
None of this would be possible without you.
See you next year for ConnectHER 2026.
