Women and the World International Film Festival: A Celebration of Women’s Voices in Film and Culture

Women and the World International Film Festival: A Celebration of Women’s Voices in Film and Culture

Photo credit – Mariana Shafro

The Women and the World International Film Festival (WWIFF) is a remarkable testament to resilience, creativity, and global solidarity. Founded by two Ukrainian media professionals, Mariia Vynogradova and Ksenia Bugrimova the festival stands as a beacon of hope and a platform for empowering women filmmakers worldwide. Born out of their personal experiences as migrants who relocated to the UK due to the war in Ukraine, WWIFF has evolved into an essential celebration of women’s voices in cinema, culture, and international dialogue.

From opening speech by Lady Sophie Windsor, and luminaries including the Czech and Ukrainian Ambassadors in attendance, the festival aims to amplify, celebrate, and multiply women’s strength, resilience, and creativity — and we support everyone who finds themselves at the epicentre of conflict or suffering from injustice.

A Festival Rooted in Resilience and Exile

Mariia and Ksenia's journey from Ukraine to the United Kingdom due to the ongoing conflict has shaped not only their personal lives but also their professional aspirations. The two women, both experienced in the media industry, recognized the profound impact of displacement and conflict on both individuals and communities. As migrants themselves, they experienced firsthand the power of art and film in navigating challenging times, offering solace, expressing emotions, and telling untold stories.

As Mariia said: “We are a large creative platform for women creators from all over the world. We nurture a community of displaced filmmakers who continue to fight against injustice, regardless of their background.”

Their vision for WWIFF was rooted in the idea that film can be an incredible tool for change — a way to bridge divides, foster empathy, and contribute to peacebuilding efforts. Through their work, they saw the power of storytelling to bring communities together, especially when those stories reflect the experiences of marginalized voices. With this in mind, they set out to create a festival that not only provided a platform for women filmmakers but also served as a space for dialogue about the global challenges that women face today.

Empowering Women Through Cinema

Initially, the focus of WWIFF was to showcase the work of Ukrainian filmmakers. However, Mariia and Ksenia quickly recognized the need to broaden the scope of the festival. The stories of women from Ukraine resonated deeply, but they understood that the struggles of women are universal — no matter where they come from. Conflicts, social inequalities, and gender-based violence are pervasive issues that affect women across the world. Thus, the festival expanded its mission to include films from women filmmakers around the globe.

The festival brings together a diverse mix of filmmakers, artists, diplomats, and audiences. It is this cross-cultural dialogue that gives the festival its unique power. The shared goal of all participants is to explore how art, particularly film, can contribute to peacebuilding and greater understanding across borders. In a world increasingly marked by division, WWIFF offers a vital space for connection and collaboration.

Running from 6^th to 12^th November, with screenings and workshops in multiple locations and the jury will include:

The jury includes 

• Oscar and BAFTA winner Peter Straughan, who penned the screenplay for “Conclave,”

• British actors Daniel Ings (“The Gentlemen,” “The Crown”)
• Tamara Lawrance (“The Silent Twins,” “Time”), 
• Danish Academy-nominated actor-director Diêm Camille (“Alien: Earth,” “The Wheel of Time”), 
• Writer-director-actor-producer Marcia Kimpton, 
• British actor-producer Victoria Emslie (“Downton Abbey,” “12 Monkeys”), 
• Ukrainian director-producer Ksenia Bugrimova (“The Wishlist”), 
• Documentary curator Elizabeth McIntyre.