About

HER Docs Film Festival showcases the work of women in non-fiction cinema—documentary film, experimental film, video art, and animation. We have been organizing it in Warsaw since 2020.

Representation

We believe that who stands behind the camera matters, and that non-fiction cinema is one of the most powerful tools for sparking dialogue and inspiring change. We showcase films that matter to us—works that go beyond the conventions of traditional documentary filmmaking. Our program is original and open to experimentation, crafted with sensitivity and attentiveness to the world and the challenges of our times.

We understand how important it is to see your own story reflected on screen, which is why we showcase films that represent and have the power to empower women and girls, and that speak to a wide range of lived experiences. The voices of minority groups are especially important to us, so our program includes films told from the perspectives of diverse identities, cultures, experiences and sexualities.

Each year, the festival gives a prominent place to emerging talents—debut filmmakers, students, and graduates of film and art schools. The festival is intended to be a platform to present their work, engage with audiences, and connect with invited filmmakers.

Film screenings are accompanied by additional events: workshops, meetings with creators, performance events, and discussions featuring expert voices.

Engaged perspective

We strive to make the festival an inclusive and supportive space for filmmakers and audiences alike—a place where, on one hand, we celebrate exceptional, horizon-expanding, and visually stunning cinema, and on the other, we use film as a catalyst for connection, conversation, and deeper understanding of the world. The festival program aims to raise awareness of pressing and important social issues such as women’s rights, civic engagement, climate and sex education, inclusivity, and intercultural solidarity.

Community

Since 2020, a dynamic and engaged community has been growing around the festival—viewers, filmmakers, collaborators, and people outside the film industry who support the event in various fields: artistic, educational, social, activist, communication, and journalism. This community is essential to us as organizers in shaping the festival’s future. It enables us to engage in an open dialogue, listen to needs, and inspire one another.