How Women Filmmakers are Navigating their Way in Delhi's Festival Circuit

Film festivals in India, especially in a dynamic cultural hub like Delhi, serve as critical platforms for filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with industry professionals, and carve a space in the competitive industry. However, for women filmmakers and theatre practitioners, these festivals often present a unique set of challenges. From accessibility barriers to tokenistic inclusion, navigating these spaces requires resilience, innovation, and a constant battle against entrenched biases.

Breaking Into the Space: Accessibility and Gendered Barriers

Delhi’s festival circuit—ranging from collegiate theatre festivals to prestigious film screenings at India Habitat Centre and Triveni Kala Sangam—has long been shaped by traditional hierarchies. Women filmmakers and theatre artists often find themselves at a disadvantage due to the lack of access to funding, industry mentorship, and networking opportunities.

“A festival spot can make or break your career, but for many women, getting that first foot in the door is disproportionately harder," says Dr. Rama Yadav from Shoonya Theatre Group, whose play Cherry Ka Bageecha is set to be featured at the Triveni Theatre Fest on March 22, 2025. "There are still unspoken barriers—who gets selected, who gets visibility, and who gets the prime slots. These decisions aren’t always just about merit.”

The challenge is even greater for independent women filmmakers who lack institutional support. Unlike their male counterparts, they often have to justify their vision and prove commercial viability before even being considered for festival slots.

"Film festivals have immense power in shaping narratives, but many women filmmakers struggle to even get their work seen," says Arti Singh, director of Kisan Hoo, Nidar Hoo, Par..., which was featured at the Beyond Borders Feminist Film Festival conducted by Kriti Film Club. "It’s not just about talent; it’s about access to the right networks, funding, and mentors who believe in diverse storytelling."

Thematics and Expectations: The Burden of Representation

One of the most significant challenges women filmmakers and theatre artists face in Delhi’s festival scene is the expectation to create work that primarily addresses gender issues. While gender-based storytelling is vital, women creatives often find themselves limited to narratives that reinforce their identity as "women filmmakers" rather than simply "filmmakers".

"There’s an unspoken assumption that if you’re a woman in film or theatre, your work must revolve around gender struggles," says Poorva Aggarwal from Players, the Theatre Society of Kirori Mal College, whose play Mein Nahi is being featured at the Indian Habitat Centre Collegiate Theatre and Film Festival on 9th and 10th March 2025. "We should have the same artistic freedom as men to explore whatever themes we want—be it dystopian fiction, mythology, crime, or satire. But often, festivals expect us to be representatives of ‘women’s issues’ first and artists second.”

Networking, Panels, and Industry Conversations: Who Gets to Speak?

Festivals in Delhi, such as Habitat Film Festival and IFFI Delhi Chapter, are not just about screenings—they are spaces for conversations, funding opportunities, and industry networking. However, women often find themselves sidelined in key decision-making circles.

“Panels on ‘Women in Film’ are common, but they often function as echo chambers rather than spaces for real industry integration,” says Dr. Yadav. "We need to be at the table when discussions about funding, production, and distribution take place, not just in panels about gender representation."

The challenge extends beyond structured events; much of the networking that determines festival programming happens in informal settings where women remain underrepresented. Industry networking in Delhi’s cultural spaces—whether it’s Mandi House, Siri Fort, or India Habitat Centre—still operates within old power structures that favor established male voices.

The Breakthroughs: Women Reshaping the Festival Circuit

Despite these barriers, women filmmakers and theatre practitioners in Delhi are actively reshaping the festival landscape. Independent theatre groups, women-led film collectives, and alternative screening platforms are creating spaces that challenge the male-dominated narrative of artistic success.

Events such as WIFF and grassroots collectives like Stree Cinema have provided much-needed representation to women filmmakers outside the mainstream. Additionally, universities and colleges in Delhi—such as Lady Shri Ram College, Miranda House, and Indraprastha College for Women—have strengthened their commitment to gender inclusivity in their film and theatre festivals, setting a precedent for broader industry change.

The success of films like Sir by Rohena Gera and Fire by Deepa Mehta, both of which gained traction in international and Indian film circuits, demonstrates how female-led narratives can find their space despite systemic barriers.

Beyond Tokenism: The Future of Gender Inclusion in Film Festivals

For gender inclusion in Delhi’s film and theatre festivals to be meaningful, it must move beyond tokenistic representation. It requires structural change—ensuring women have access to funding, mentorship, and leadership roles in festival programming.

“We need to go beyond inviting women to the table—we need to change the table itself,” says Poorva Aggarwal. “That means rethinking how selection committees function, what themes are celebrated, and who gets the biggest platform.”

Some festivals have started making changes. The Habitat Film Festival has committed to showcasing a 50/50 gender ratio in its programming. The International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) has also introduced specific funding and mentorship programs for female directors, setting a possible template for Delhi-based festivals to follow.

The Role of Digital Spaces and Alternative Platforms

With the rise of digital film festivals and streaming platforms, some women filmmakers have bypassed traditional gatekeeping mechanisms altogether. Crowdfunding initiatives and social media-driven screenings have allowed them to showcase their work to wider audiences without relying on male-dominated festival circuits.

"Digital spaces have created new possibilities for women filmmakers," says Arti Singh. "We no longer have to wait for a festival’s approval to reach audiences. Online screenings, self-organised events, and community-driven platforms are empowering women to take control of their own narratives."

Reclaiming Space, Redefining Narratives

Women filmmakers and theatre practitioners in Delhi are not just navigating the festival circuit; they are actively reshaping it. Despite systemic biases, they have forced conversations, created alternative platforms, and pushed for meaningful representation. The future of film and theatre festivals in Delhi must go beyond mere inclusion toward genuine structural change—where female-driven storytelling is valued for its craft, diversity is intrinsic rather than performative, and artistic voices are recognised beyond gender-based expectations.

As women continue to challenge the status quo, the question is no longer whether they belong in these spaces—it’s how long before these spaces truly belong to them.