Festival dossier

CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival

Bellingham, United States · Est. 2016 · High structural score (80–100) for legitimacy and industry clout — not limited to Oscar-qualifying festivals

Tier ATrusted
Bellingham, United States
100
Legitimacy Score

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Strong legitimacy signals

Tier A score for legitimacy and industry clout. Still confirm deadlines, fees, and categories on the festival site before paying.

  • Film Fest Alliance Member
  • 10 years of verifiable history
  • Physical screenings at 1318 Bay Street, Bellingham, Washington 98225 United States

Overview

CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival is the only festival in the Pacific Northwest and one of only a handful in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to showcasing exceptional films directed by women from around the world[1][10]. Founded in 2015 as a grassroots initiative in Bellingham, Washington, it has grown into a nationally recognized cultural event that has screened work by over 300 filmmakers from 48 countries[4][12]. The festival features a diverse program spanning all genres—including narrative, documentary, animation, live action, and experimental films of all lengths—while emphasizing emerging directors, students, Indigenous women, and women of color[1][12].

Last updated Aug 27, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

Positive Indicators (+56 pts)

  • Film Fest Alliance Member
  • 10 years of verifiable history
  • Physical screenings at 1318 Bay Street, Bellingham, Washington 98225 United States
  • 3 verified pro signals
  • Verified trusted status
  • Legitimacy signals outweigh concerns (5 vs 0)

Red Flags (-0 pts)

No red flags found

Trust Signals

Positive Signals

  • FilmFreeway Gold festival
  • Has FilmFreeway community ratings
  • Documented history with archived programs

Festival Details

Founded

2016

Venue

1318 Bay Street, Bellingham, Washington 98225 United States

Screenings

Physical screenings confirmed

Award Categories

2

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At a glance

Legitimacy Score100/100
TierTier A
Reviews0
Community Reports0

How scoring works

Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.

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