Did you know that the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival is the oldest women’s film festival in the Western Hemisphere? In fact, there are only a few European festivals that are older in the entire world. For 38 years and counting, the annual gathering has been looking through the female lens, presenting films and filmmakers that explore the world as women experience it.
There’s richness and power in experiencing films and discussing them with filmmakers, story subjects and fellow viewers, and Rocky Mountain Women’s Film has created a strong sense of community through its annual festival and year-round events. This year’s festival happens Oct. 17-19 at Colorado College. It will feature 40 films, and there will be 13 filmmakers and film subjects there participating in Q&As and workshops. And the schedule includes a festive Opening Night Gala, Friday and Saturday night after-parties and more.
There’s so much to love about the film festival. You can read about that here. But it’s the films that always take center stage.
To highlight some of the biggest standouts from this year’s roster, we talked with Linda Broker, Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Art Director. Here’s a preview of 10 films that you don’t want to miss at the 2025 Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival.
The Feel Good Films
Diane Warren: Relentless
From humble beginnings and early doubts to superstardom behind the songs everyone knows, Diane Warren: Relentless is an intimate portrait of the Grammy- and Oscar-nominated songwriter whose idiosyncratic drive, unshakeable work ethic and unfiltered vulnerability transformed rejection into a lifetime of hits and legacy.
“It’s definitely a feel good film,” Broker says.”She’s a real firecracker of a woman, and it’s really, really entertaining to get her whole backstory.”
As the Friday night feature, Diane Warren: Relentless has broad appeal and sets an exciting tone for the weekend to come. .
Jimmy & The Demons
A magical journey into the artistic life and inner mind of celebrated sculptor, James Grashow, who, at age 79, devotes four years to creating his magnum opus.
“I love that film,” Broker says. “Not only is the artist and his passion something delightful to behold, but he also has such a lovely relationship with his wife who supported him. You just get a glimpse of someone’s life that you otherwise would never have a chance to see.”
There’s also an interesting local tie, Broker says, as there’s a scene featuring old footage of the artist teaching a workshop at Colorado College.
Four Mothers
Edward, a novelist saddled with caring for his elderly mother, finally finds himself on the brink of literary success. With pressure to go on a US book tour mounting, the last thing Edward needs is his friends jetting off to Spain for an impromptu Pride holiday, leaving their mothers on his doorstep! Over a chaotic weekend, he has to juggle his burgeoning career with the care of four eccentric, combative and wildly different ladies.
“Four Mothers is actually a narrative film, which is rare at our festival since we show primarily documentaries,” Broker says. “But this is a really delightful Irish film. If we’re going to show a narrative, it needs to be really, really good, and this one fits the bill. It’s at the end of the day on Sunday, so it gives everybody a nice way to finish their festival weekend.”
Heavy Hitters
The Secret of Me
When 19-year-old Kristi discovers a secret her doctor and parents have kept from her all her life, her search for truth uncovers a radical psychological experiment, a global media scandal, and a legacy of harm towards intersex people.
“This is certainly one of my top films,” Broker says. “I’ve been watching films for a really long time. And I’m always delighted to see a story that I feel like I have never seen before. Sometimes films can feel like variations on a theme. But this film is a real standout in terms of being a story that I suspect most people have never heard.”
Magic and Monsters
Magic and Monsters uncovers the long-buried story of widespread sexual abuse at America’s preeminent children’s theater. In the aftermath of litigation, four survivors attempt the unthinkable: working with the very institution that harmed them. The film examines the moral obligations of institutions when confronting historical abuse. It presents an intimate exploration of trauma’s ripple effects while demonstrating how organizational transparency — despite potential risks and short-term costs — represents the only path toward genuine healing. Magic and Monsters illuminates a path toward institutional courage and offers hope for all survivors seeking justice and reconciliation.
“Magic and Monsters is an exceptionally great film,” Broker says. “It’s a tough topic, but much of the film is about those kids who are now adults sort of taking some power back, demanding some acknowledgment of what happened.”
Director Nora Shapiro is one of six filmmakers who are making return personal appearances at this year’s Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival.
Baby Doe
At 22, Gail gave birth alone and left her newborn in the woods. Decades later, she’s arrested for murder, even though she says the baby was stillborn. Baby Doe explores the fallout when young women cannot accept the reality of an unplanned pregnancy.
“Baby Doe is incredibly thought-provoking,” Broker says. “One of my favorite things about films is that they can force you to question an opinion that you had or say, ‘Hmm, maybe there is another way to look at this.’ This film definitely does that.”
The Particularly Poignant
Her/Mine
An intimate meditation on memory and motherhood that follows a filmmaker as she explores the secrecy surrounding the childhood loss of her mother, while reckoning with her own diagnosis of breast cancer.
“This is a really beautiful story,” Broker says. “The filmmaker’s mom died relatively young of cancer, and the film is her daughter’s effort to really get to know her mom in hindsight, recognizing some of their similarities and differences. It’s a lovely touching film.”
Its filmmaker, Alexandra Shiva, is coming to the festival and will lead a Q&A following the screening.
Quirky, Offbeat Films
It’s easier to take a risk on a short film — as both a viewer and a festival organizer — when it comes to trying something unusual. You might find a short slice of joy, and if you miss, it’s only 10 or 15 minutes gone. Broker says there’s a great lineup of short films on the schedule this year.
Set Menu
Denied the coveted set menu for dining alone at a famously exclusive restaurant, Frances strikes an unexpected deal with a stranger to access both the menu and a night of peace and solitude.
“Set Menu is one I would highly recommend as one that will leave you possibly scratching your head —but in a good way,” Broker says.
All-Purpose Standouts
Girl Climber
To cement her legacy in a male-dominated world of elite rock climbing, professional climber Emily Harrington sets her sights on a career-defining 24-hour ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan, forcing her to confront the risks of ambition against the biological clock and proving she’s not just a great “Girl Climber,” but one of the best, period.
“Girl Climber is a great selection for anyone who likes a good outdoor adventure film,” Broker says.
It’s Dorothy
A magical remix of art and human experiences, this feature documentary celebrates Dorothy Gale, the iconic heroine from Oz, as she defies boundaries to evolve through the eras.
“That’s definitely a little bit different than any of our other films,” Broker says. “It’s about the legacy of Dorothy and the cultural impact she’s had on a lot of different communities. It’s very entertaining.
Find your own favorite gems, plan out your festival schedule and explore all the details at rmwfilm.org.
