The inaugural Cincinnati-based Helios Film Festival set to run from October 9-11 has announced the launch of a Female Filmmaker Challenge in partnership with film website TentSquare.

The Female Filmmaker Challenge is open to female writers, directors, cinematographers and producers who want to submit a short film for a chance to win cash prizes, VIP badges to the festival and a spot on the Women In Film panel at the festival.

Actress-filmmaker Pollyanna McIntosh, producer Kerry Fulton and director-producer Sylvia Caminer will choose the winner of the challenge.

Festival director Lana Read (pictured) said, “We could not be more excited to join forces with TentSquare to host this Female Filmmaker Challenge in our very first year.

“As filmmakers ourselves, co-director Ramsey Stoneburner and I are thrilled that the Helios Film Festival will immediately establish itself as a home for female directors and a film festival they can look to as a place dedicated to putting their work front and centre.”

“Film history is rich with so many contributions made by female filmmakers,” added Andrew van den Houten of arts social network TentSquare, “and yet those creative voices are heard less often. The community is replete with talented women filmmakers and we’re excited to see what they create.”

The deadline for entries for the Female Filmmaker Challenge is August 28. The winner will be announced when the Helios Film Festival reveals the line-up of films next month.

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