The Davis Feminist Film Festival
About
The Davis Feminist Film Festival (DFFF) is an annual grassroots event that links alternative media to feminist social issues. DFFF showcases independent films from around the world (including documentary, narrative, and experimental genres) that explore perspectives often missing from mainstream United States film and media.
When first established in 2005, DFFF was a fundraiser to support student interns with feminist non-profit organizations. It was originally managed by the Gender and Global Issues (GGI) program in the UC Davis Department of Women’s and Gender Studies. In 2007, when funding for GGI ended, the Consortium for Women and Research partnered with other campus units to sustain the festival until 2014. Since then, DFFF has been managed by the UC Davis Women’s Resources and Research Center.
Now, as it approaches its twentieth anniversary, the Davis Feminist Film Festival is increasingly international in scope. Most films submitted for exhibition are created by artists working outside the United States and in languages other than English. DFFF provides an inclusive public space for these and other artists at the margins—particularly those with marginalized racial and/or gender identities—to share their work and ideas. Likewise, our festival is a wonderful opportunity for students and community members to witness powerful artistic engagements with issues of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, nationality, ability, and the many other dimensions of social life and inequality.
Give to DFFF
You can support the Davis Feminist Film Festival by donating to our crowdfund campaign. Your gift to DFFF will help us continue to highlight feminist perspectives missing from mainstream American media at our free and accessible event. Contributions of all amounts are appreciated!
The Davis Feminist Film Festival Internship Program
Each fall, the WRRC hires several UC Davis undergraduate students to intern for the Davis Feminist Film Festival. The internship period lasts from late fall quarter through the festival date in May. Interns work alongside WRRC staff to select and curate films, create a festival theme, design graphics and marketing materials, draft the festival program, and plan the multi-day community event. The internship provides a stipend of $200 per student (sometimes more, budget-dependent).
DFFF interns practice teamwork and collaboration, develop editing and design skills, and learn to plan and administer a festival-scale event. Interning for DFFF also provides a wonderful opportunity to work with and learn from others who are passionate about alternative media, grassroots film, feminist community-building, and gender equity.
Apply here to intern for the Davis Feminist Film Festival! Applications will be open from late September through mid-October. If you have questions about the internship or application, please contact Aaron Benedetti (he/him) at abenedetti@ucdavis.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When and where is the festival?
The event is held each May. Our next festival is scheduled for May 9 and 10, 2025, at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. For up-to-date announcements about time, location, and ticketing, please follow DFFF on Instagram!
Who can submit to the festival?
DFFF welcomes submissions from local, national, and international creators, and from professionals, amateurs, current students, former students, and community members alike. We especially encourage submissions from filmmakers whose identities and perspectives are underrepresented in mainstream media and film.
How do I submit my film?
We open our submissions each fall on FilmFreeway. Complete submission information is available on our FilmFreeway festival page. The next open submission period is scheduled for September 25 through October 25, 2024. DFFF never charges fees to submit a film for consideration.
What are DFFF’s film eligibility rules?
DFFF only screens short films (runtime less than or equal to 25 minutes). Additionally, films must meet at least two of the following four criteria to be eligible for selection: 1) The film centers gender and social justice. 2) The film links local and global issues. 3) The film was created by people underrepresented in mainstream media, particularly but not limited to those who identify as women/womxn, femmes, people of color, Native, Black, queer, transgender, nonbinary/gender-expansive, and/or disabled. 4) The film was created by people from the greater Sacramento region.
How do I get tickets to the festival?
Because this is a community event, we never charge for entry. Online tickets will be reservable on TicketLeap in the weeks before the festival date. Follow DFFF on Instagram for announcements!
How can I get involved if I don’t have a film to submit?
If you’re a UC Davis undergraduate, you can apply here to intern for DFFF. Applications will be accepted from late September through mid-October. If you’re a community member, we encourage you to consider donating to DFFF to help us sustain and grow our event!
How do I stay up-to-date on DFFF events?
Follow DFFF on Instagram and Linktree. You can also follow the WRRC on Instagram for updates about related community events.