La Femme Independent FF Official Competition 1
La Femme Independent Festival aims to empower women and promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality. We believe that celebrating women's achievements and contributions will inspire future generations and create a more just society. Join us!
We invite you to join us for an enchanting week of film screenings, Q&A sessions with directors and actors, and exciting events. Our festival celebrates the art of storytelling and the power of cinema to inspire, entertain, and educate. From independent films to international blockbusters, we showcase the best of the best.
The 2026 festival event at Riverside Studios in January will also feature a celebration of Diane Abbott and her acceptance of the La Femme Honorary Award, recognizing her pioneering achievements as the first Black woman in the UK Parliament and her tireless advocacy to support women and minorities, highlighting her remarkable accomplishments as a trailblazing and successful woman.
Ticket prices are £13 Full Price / £11 Concession / £9 Under 25 + £2 booking fee if you book online or over the phone. There is no booking fee if you book in person.
A panel talk with the filmmakers will follow the end of this programme, and there will be a short panel talk following the screening of the short film The Hour.
Shorts lineup:
IN DORA'S SHOES (dir: Alessandro D'Ambrosi) - 20m
Anna is a publicist struggling to write an article on Dora Maar, a surrealist artist and photographer known to most only as Pablo Picasso's muse and lover. In search of inspiration, Anna visits an exhibition on Pablo Picasso and, right in front of one of the famous portraits of Dora, she has a surreal encounter: a woman with exactly Dora's features approaches her and, very intrigued by Anna's sneakers, starts talking to her. Incredulous, Anna decides to follow her outside of the museum. It is an opportunity for Dora to guide the girl on a journey into her own memory. From here, we follow these two women on an investigation into the sense of identity, memory and its distortions, ambition, and love. Anna will truly understand, for the first time, what it means to be a Muse
DLA MNIE (dir: Aneta Barbara Kotwica) - 23m
Marianna loses one of her twin daughters due to a premature birth and seeks justice by filing a lawsuit against the hospital for malpractice. Despite gathering overwhelming evidence, the courts repeatedly rule against her. Her first lawyer abandons the case, and the public defender who takes over fails to inform her of the impending deadline to reopen proceedings. When Marianna discovers that the case has expired, it's devastating – and irreversible. Yet, her determination for justice remains unbroken, driven by her love and memory of her daughter.
THE HOUR (dir: Paige Henderson) - 17m + panel talk with Shahina Chowdhury & Atique Choudhury
A film about domestic violence. This is the chronicle of a woman’s first year of healing after leaving an abusive spouse. Guilt and shame slow her progress, and tensions rise as years of domestic violence come to the surface. But with the support of her therapist, women in her support group, and her family, she may be able to rediscover the strength within herself and ultimately choose to heal.
Inspired by a personal story, this film was made in response to an industry that too often uses sexual abuse for shock value, centering on the violence instead of the voice of the survivor and their strength in moving forward.
The panellists:
Shahina Chowdhury is a qualified paralegal, law graduate, activist/campaigner focused on preventing domestic violence and mental health issues in diverse communities. She advocates for One Stop Family Community Hubs to provide integrated support services, emphasising early intervention and culturally sensitive solutions. Shahina founded Women's Voice Communication for International Women, supporting Bangladeshi women and families through education and empowerment initiatives. Her approach prioritises prevention, community-led solutions, and addressing systemic inequalities to build safer, more resilient communities.
Atique Choudhury is Chairman of The Dabirul Islam Choudhury Foundation, supporting refugees and asylum seekers, and ambassador for The Hackney Food Bank. He's a former international badminton player, Arsenal fan, and owner of award-winning Yum Yum Thai Restaurant in London. With a portfolio of restaurants, pharmaceutical companies, and property development, Atique is a respected entrepreneur. His father, Dabirul Choudhury (OBE), is a 106-year-old centenarian charity worker who has raised £7 million for 40 charities worldwide. The family supports education and community initiatives, including the Bangladesh Female Academy, promoting community cohesion and empowering women.
DEJA DREAM (dir: Mahmudul Hasan)- 15m
25-year-old Ethan Sullivan struggles with anxiety and depression after completely losing his ability to dream for months. Seeking help, he visits a careless and arrogant psychiatrist who is addicted to TikTok and dismisses Ethan's concerns, stating that not dreaming is no longer considered an illness by the health sciences. As Ethan returns for multiple sessions, their encounters become increasingly surreal. They humiliate each other, play football on a deserted island, and discuss dreams, reality, and the nature of existence. Eventually, the dream comes to an end.
Now, in stark contrast to his dream self, Ethan is organised and composed, getting ready for a job interview. But when he steps into the interview room, he meets the psychiatrist again, a sharply dressed corporate professional who doesn't recognise Ethan either.
This dream also ends abruptly.
The post-screening panellists:
In Dora’s Shoes filmmakers:
Alessandro D'Ambrosi (director)
Silvia Siravo (actress)
Antonio Spadaro (guest and translator for the Q&A)
Miryam Spadaro (guest)
Corrado Spadaro (guest)
Dla Mnie filmmaker - Aneta Kotwica & translator
Diane Abbott
In 1987 Diane Abbott made history by becoming the first black woman ever elected to the British Parliament. She has since built a distinguished career as a parliamentarian, broadcaster, and commentator. As of 4th July 2024, Diane Abbott as the longest serving woman MP is now the Mother Of The House.
From the outset of her career, Diane has championed global justice, human rights, and a peace-based foreign policy.
From 2015 to 2019 Diane Abbott was a prominent member of the Labour Party’s front bench, serving as the Shadow International Development Secretary, then Shadow Secretary of State for Health, and finally Shadow Home Secretary from 2016. In the last general election Diane was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington with a landslide majority.