CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival Celebrates 10 Years of Championing Women Filmmakers
The Special Anniversary Edition takes place April 30 – May 4, 2026 in Bellingham, Washington
CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival proudly announces its 10th Anniversary Festival, taking place April 30–May 4, 2026, in downtown Bellingham. An online festival version afterwards will be May 7–17. Since its founding in 2015, CASCADIA has grown from a grassroots idea into a nationally recognized cultural event, dedicated to discovering, developing, and showcasing women filmmakers from around the world while spotlighting the Pacific Northwest as a vibrant destination for film and the arts.
Over the past ten years, CASCADIA has achieved remarkable accomplishments that have elevated its reputation as one of the premier women’s film festivals in the United States. The festival has screened the work of over 300 filmmakers from over 48 countries, and hosted filmmakers from around the world, including Honored Guests such as Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Barbara Kopple, Catherine Hardwicke, Martha Coolidge, and Freida Lee Mock.
“From a living room idea to an internationally recognized festival, CASCADIA has spent a decade championing women’s voices in film and building community through the arts,” said festival co-founder and Executive Director Cheryl Crooks. “Our 10th anniversary is not only a celebration of our accomplishments, but a launchpad for the next decade of storytelling.”
Women in the film industry still face persistent challenges, despite some promising gains over the past 10 years. According to a study by San Diego State University Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film of the top 100 highest-grossing domestic films of 2024, only 11% had women directors, which is down 3 percentage points from 2023. The report summarized that a few women are breaking through with celebrated films, but the industry as a whole remains dominated by men. Visibility for individual women hasn’t translated into widespread employment or leadership opportunities.
With this in mind, CASCADIA is proud to continue to advocate for emerging and established female filmmakers. The 2026 festival promises to be CASCADIA’s most ambitious yet, featuring a diverse lineup of films and scripts, community events, and exciting guests, curated by longtime lead programmer Claudia Puig.
Says Puig, “CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival is essential, now more than ever, because it does the crucial work of celebrating and amplifying women filmmakers, and emphasizes the heightened need for equity in the film industry. The number of women whose films are greenlit has decreased in the entertainment industry, particularly during the current presidential administration, and organizations like CASCADIA are critical in shining a light and putting pressure on Hollywood to improve the inclusion, representation and visibility of women filmmakers.”
The events kicked off Friday, December 12, with a collaborative poetry book launch celebration at Aslan Depot. They will be followed by special film screenings throughout the year, Women In Film Trivia Nights at local establishments, a Women’s History Month event at Western Washington University, their 3rd Annual Women’s Art Exhibit and a Big Birthday Bash ticketed event open to the public during the festival.
The full schedule will be announced in April 2026.
FESTIVAL TIMELINE IN BRIEF
2015–2016: From Vision to Reality
Born from a living room conversation led by Polly Miller, CASCADIA quickly established a nonprofit board, tested its concept with screenings at Pickford Film Center, and set its mission to champion women filmmakers.
2017: Festival Launch
The inaugural festival premiered with 24 films from 12 countries, introducing Script Studio and joining the Film Festival Alliance.
2018–2019: Honored Guests & Global Partnerships
CASCADIA welcomed Cheryl Boone Isaacs, former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as its first Honored Guest. Partnerships expanded internationally with ARC Film Festival in Germany and nationally with New York Women in Film & Television. CASCADIA receives the Bellingham Mayor’s Arts Award.
2020–2021: Innovation During the Pandemic
CASCADIA became one of the first U.S. film festivals to pivot online, drawing nationwide audiences. Virtual programming included a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and collaborations with African American Women in Cinema.
2022–2023: Return & Expansion
CASCADIA returned to theaters with record-breaking attendance, welcoming Honored Guests such as Martha Coolidge and Barbara Kopple. New venues, community partnerships, and expanded year-round programming solidified its role as a cultural hub.
2024–2025: Artistic Growth & Recognition
The festival introduced the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker designation, premiered Love Letters to a sold-out audience, and launched the acclaimed Women Rising art exhibit. In 2025, Honored Guest Yvonne Russo screened VIVA, Verdi to a sold-out crowd, while CASCADIA published its first anthology, STILLS: Where Cinema and Poetry Meet.
Founded in 2015, CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is a nonprofit organization based in Bellingham, Washington. Dedicated to showcasing the work of women filmmakers worldwide, CASCADIA presents an annual festival each spring along with year-round cultural and educational programming. CASCADIA champions diverse perspectives, community engagement, and the power of film to inspire change.
CASCADIA is an IRS-registered non profit 501(c)(3) organization.
