Nevertheless Film Festival elevates the work of womxn filmmakers, as every film in the program will have at least 50% womxn filmmakers in leadership positions. The Festival does not define filmmaker as meaning only “director” -- in order to qualify, filmmakers can be producers, editors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and more.

Inspired by “Nevertheless, she persisted,” the rallying cry for barrier-breakers everywhere, the Festival was established in response to the rising conversations about equal representation in the film industry, as well as personal experiences in film production by the members of the festival team.

The women who make up the festival team are all seasoned film and entertainment professionals. Most of us are current or former staff of festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, Telluride, DOC NYC, Mill Valley, New York Film Festival, and more!

Film festivals around the world have announced initiatives to have equal representation in their programs within the next few years -- but Nevertheless Film Festival is a platform for womxn voices from the start.

Taking place in vibrant Ann Arbor, Michigan, Nevertheless Film Festival amplifies the voices of womxn filmmakers, inspires audiences of all ages, and engages the community in conversation about the power of equal representation behind the camera.

Please see the qualification rules below.

Rules & Terms

- In order to qualify for submission, at least 50% of the specified leadership positions on your film’s crew must be held by people who self-identify as womxn:
Director
Producer
Editor
Screenwriter
Cinematographer
Sound Recordist
Music Supervisor / Composer
Production Designer

- Entry fee is non-refundable
- Films in any language other than English must include English subtitles
- Accepted exhibition formats: DCP, BluRay, .MOV
- If accepted, filmmakers are responsible for cost of print traffic shipping
- Films may not have aired on television or online prior to the Festival
- Festival does not promise ability to pay screening fees
- Accepted films will be asked to provide press materials (film stills, clips, etc) for use on the Festival's website, social media, trailer, printed program, and more
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Katharine Dore

    Nobody pivoted to a virtual festival better than NEVERTHELESS FF. The communication was excellent, the programming amazing, the Q&As insightful. The team was available, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We were honored to have ODD BIRD included in the 2020 lineup and hope to join the Nevertheless team for an in-person festival in the future.

    July 2020
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  • Melissa Purner

    Nevertheless is an exceptional film festival. Every detail was well thought out and curated in a way that made our team feel both extremely comfortable AND honored to have made it. Highly recommend!

    July 2020
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  • Marissa Chibas

    It was an honor to screen our documentary Finding Shelter at this inspiring and beautifully organized inaugural festival. I was thrilled to share space with such moving and well crafted films. The panel discussions were stimulating and thought provoking. Great things are ahead for this festival and the wonderful team behind it. It was a joy!

    July 2019
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  • Stacey Tenenbaum

    I loved this festival!! The programming was amazing and the town of Ann Arbor is very charming. The films are screened in a beautiful old theater with a real Marquee. Everything was super well organized and communication was amazing throughout. This is a great festival and I am proud to have been a part of it.

    July 2019
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