The Wench Film Festival (WFF) is India’s first Fantastic film festival celebrating films made by women. The aim of the festival lies in showcasing female filmmakers who not only have the ability to tell original stories, but go beyond normative roles, mediums and genres to tell good stories. This is encapsulated in their slogan “Shaping Perspectives by Shifting the Gaze.”
WFF supports, encourages and celebrates women and non-binary storytellers by not only providing a platform to showcase their craft, but also through film screenings, discussions and professional development opportunities, as well as by incorporating International Women’s Month in its programming.
WFF aims to reclaim the word “wench,” which has a derogatory connotation, by restoring its original meaning of “a young woman.” The festival was launched virtually in March 2021 due to COVID and showcased films across all genres directed by women.
The third edition of WFF was held virtually between 10 and 20 March 2023, and in-person between 17 and 19 March 2023 at Harkat Studios and the Veda Factory respectively in Mumbai.
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How to Reach Mumbai
1. By Air: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, formerly known as Sahar International Airport, is the primary international airport serving the Mumbai metropolitan area. It is situated about 30 km from the main Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) train station. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji has two terminals. Terminal 1, or the domestic terminal, was the old airport referred to as Santa Cruz Airport, and some locals still use this name. Terminal 2, or the international terminal, replaced the old terminal 2, formerly known as Sahar Airport. The Santa Cruz Domestic Airport is about 4.5 km from the international airport. There are regular direct flights to Mumbai from most major cities in India and across the world. Buses and cabs are easily available from the airport to reach desired destinations.
2. By Rail: Mumbai is very well connected to rest of India by train. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is the most popular station in Mumbai. Trains to Mumbai are available from all major railway stations in India. Some important Mumbai trains of note are the Mumbai Rajdhani, Mumbai Duronto, and Konkan Kanya Express.
3. By Road: Mumbai is well-connected with national highways and expressways. Visiting by bus is economical for individual tourists. Government-run and private buses operate daily services. Travelling to Mumbai by car is a common choice made by travellers, and hailing a cab or hiring a private car is an efficient way of exploring the city.
Source: Mumbaicity.gov.in

1. Carry clothes suitable for the shifty spring temperatures during March and April.
2. A sturdy water bottle, if the festival has refillable water stations, and if the venue allows bottles to be taken inside.
3. COVID packs: Hand sanitiser, extra masks and a copy of your vaccination certificate are things you should keep handy.


