Lois Weber Film Festival
Celebrating the History of Women in Film: Past, Present and Future.
Lois Weber Film Festival
Celebrating the History of Women in Film: Past, Present and Future.
Our Mission
The Lois Weber Film Festival is a female-forward 501(c)3 dedicated to promoting gender equality in the film industry by celebrating the legacy of silent film pioneer Lois Weber and the history of women in film, past, present, and future.
4th LWFF Honors Women in Film March 20-22
Festival Schedule at a Glance
Friday, March 20
• Opening Night Party — 5:00 PM
• Board of Directors Showcase — 6:30 PM
• The Blot (1921) with live music — 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 21
• Short Films (USA) — 5:00 PM
• Feature: Riot in Bloom — 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 22
• World Premiere: Punkie — 1:00 PM
• Massachusetts Short Films — 2:30 PM
• Women in Film Panel — 3:30 PM
• Award Ceremony — 4:30 PM
Tickets
Single-day and All Access passes for the Lois Weber Film Festival are available online and at the box office here.
Event Itinerary & Film Lineup
Friday, March 20:
Red Carpet Opening Night Party 5:00-9:00 PM
Step into an unforgettable evening of glamour and cinema. Begin with networking, red-carpet photos, elegant hors d’oeuvres, and a sparkling champagne toast, followed by a Women in Film Board of Directors Showcase. At 7:00 PM, the spotlight turns to a rare screening of Lois Weber’s 1921 silent masterpiece The Blot, accompanied live by celebrated silent film musician Jeff Rapsis. Formal attire suggested.
Saturday, March 21:
Shorts Block (USA) 5:00-7:00 PM
Chore Wheel - Rylie Field (Comedy | 5 min)
For All Humankind - Sheila E. Schroeder (Comedy | 13 min)
The Winemaker - Sarey Martin (Sci-fi | 16 min)
Rock Island Prison 1864 - Joy Shannon (Historical | 7 min)
Over the Kitchen Table - Nisha Burton (Documentary | 22 min)
There Was - Amanda Besl (Experimental | 5 min)
Veritas Obscura - Lily Jones (Student | 9 min)
BOT OR NOT - Meghan Carrasquillo, Jadon Cal (Sci-fi | 20 min)
Reminisce - Leslie Morris (Drama | 12 min)
FRANKSLIST - Christine Celozzi (Comedy | 14 min)
Feature Film Presentation 7:00-9:00 PM
Queer Up The Details - Anna Rose Ii-Epstein (LGBTQ | 8 min)
Riot In Bloom - Brett C Levner (Drama | 83 min)
Sunday, March 22:
World Premiere 1:00-2:00 PM
PUNKIE - Audrey Olsen (Documentary | 65 min)
Massachusetts Shorts Block (USA) 2:30-3:30 PM
Steeped In Denial - Sue Farina (Mocumentary | 7 min)
Shift - Bridgette Cannell (Horror | 8 min)
The Red Reina - Nick Pithis, Sophia Ciampaglia (Western | 20 min)
Dissection Day - Rachel Thomas-Medwid (Thriller | 15 min)
The Rewind - Mikel Wisler, Diana Porter (Sci-Fi | 11 min)
Women In Film Panel Discussion 3:30-4:30 PM
Join us for an exclusive Women in Film Panel Discussion, moderated by Kim Douglas of Boston’s Bold Like Her podcast, with industry professionals Michele Meek, Jodi Purdy, Alecia Orsini, and Marilyn Busch.
Award Ceremony 4:30-5:00 PM
Please Note: Films will play in the order listed, with a brief Q&A following each screening.
Venue
The 4th Annual Lois Weber Film Festival takes place at the historic West Newton Cinema, located in the heart of downtown West Newton at 1296 Washington St, West Newton, MA 02465. This beautiful venue has been a staple of the local arts scene for nearly 90 years, and provides the perfect setting for our festival.
Get Involved
We are always looking for volunteers and sponsors to help make our festival a success. If you are interested in getting involved, please email us at loisweberfilmfestival@gmail.com to learn more about our available opportunities.
CONGRATS! OFFICIAL SELECTIONS OF 2026
2026 Season Selections
2026 Selections (Screening March 21-22)
FRANKSLIST - Christine Celozzi
There Was - Amanda Besl
The Winemaker - Sarey Martin
For All Humankind - Sheila E. Schroeder
BOT OR NOT - Meghan Carrasquillo, Jadon Cal
Over the Kitchen Table - Nisha Burton
Veritas Obscura - Lily Jones
Chore Wheel - Rylie Field
Reminisce - Leslie Morris
Rock Island Prison 1864 - Joy Shannon
Queer Up The Details - Anna Rose Ii-Epstein
Riot In Bloom - Brett C Levner
PUNKIE - Audrey Olsen
The Rewind - Mikel Wisler, Diana Porter
Shift - Bridgette Cannell
Dissection Day - Rachel Thomas-Medwid
Steeped In Denial - Sue Farina
The Red Reina - Nick Pithis, Sophia Ciampaglia
Honorable Mentions (Award Only)
Lineage - Michelle West
The Kahiki 3 and Me - Amber Monet
Support Our Mission
Your donation directly supports our festival, and helps us shine a spotlight on women in film—past, present, and future. Thank you!