Fringe Events

Herstory exists to provide space for films from around the world that tell stories about women and/or are directed by women. This program seeks to initiate public conversations on alternative cinema—on the everyday, on lived experiences, and on stories that are often overlooked, forgotten, or marginalized. Through post-screening discussions, it aims to serve as both a catalyst and an inclusive space where everyone is invited to participate and share their perspectives.

Across the five films presented, a similar pattern emerges: each unfolds quietly, almost in secrecy. They speak of imagined lives, explorations of sexuality, mothers who leave home to work, the choice to have an abortion, and women’s participation in cinema itself. This raises a set of questions: why are women so often faced with fewer choices, more easily judged for what they do—or don’t—choose? What systems—beyond patriarchy and ruling powers that fail to prioritize women’s needs—allow these conditions to persist and become normalized? Why does this happen, what are its consequences, and what can we collectively imagine or strive for to create a more equitable reality?

This discussion hopes to become a space for shared imagination—from the point of view of male directors making films about women, to anyone taking part in the conversation. It is not only a moment to share lived experiences, but also an invitation to imagine strategies, actions, and alternative forms of work we can pursue together—so that better things may find their way into our lives: more opportunities, more choices, and a better future for all.