Women Over 50 Film Festival (WOFFF) focuses on older women on both sides of the camera. Its international short-film selection requires a woman over 50 at the centre of the story or working as writer, director or producer, while submissions are open to filmmakers of all ages and genders. Animation, documentary, drama, comedy and experimental work form part of its programme.
Founded by Nuala O’Sullivan, the festival traces its beginnings to the 2015 event Short Hot Flush. Its hybrid format combines a curated cinema programme at Depot in Lewes, East Sussex, with a larger online selection. Filmmaker Q&As, an industry panel and awards accompany the screenings, and a separate short-script competition is supported by Shedunnit Productions. The 2026 cinema festival date is 5 September; its online programme runs from 4 September to 5 October 2026.
Awards and prizes
Jury awards recognise Best Animation Film, Best Drama Film, Best Documentary Film and Best Experimental Film, alongside Best Student Film and Best Short Script. The Audience Choice Award is voted for by online viewers. The 2026 FilmFreeway terms describe certificates and cash prizes, including a £200 Best Drama prize and a festival-strategy session sponsored by Festival Formula, with £75 cash prizes listed for other winning categories. Second-place, third-place and commended films receive certificates and Best of the Fest touring opportunities.
Festival rules
Films must feature a woman over 50 as a central on-screen character or have a woman over 50 as writer, producer or director. Filmmakers of all ages and genders and from all countries may submit. The published FilmFreeway terms set maximum lengths of 12 minutes for animation and experimental films, and 25 minutes for documentary and drama, including comedy. Films must be in English or have English subtitles. Each submission requires a separate application; fees apply to non-student filmmakers, with a limited fee bursary available. Entrants must hold all film and music rights and participant consents. Accepted films cannot be withdrawn, and selection grants permission for festival screenings, accessibility adaptations, publicity stills and up to 30 seconds of promotional footage. The 2026 terms also permit Best of the Fest and other WOFFF screenings until December 2027. Student eligibility requires a director in adult education or a recent graduate, with supporting proof. Short scripts must be unproduced drama, no longer than five filming minutes or seven pages including the title page, written in English, and either centre on a woman over 50 or be written by one. Script entrants must be over 18; AI-generated scripts are ineligible. Submissions are through FilmFreeway. The 2026 submission period is closed; the organiser states that 2027 submissions open in winter 2026.
