Imagine This Women's International Film Festival
Where women take the spotlight and bold stories take flight — ITWIFF champions diverse voices in film through powerful storytelling, creativity, and community
MISSION STATEMENT: Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival is dedicated to championing and amplifying the voices of women, non-binary filmmakers, and storytellers from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creatives. Our mission is to provide a platform that celebrates diverse narratives, fosters meaningful industry connections, and empowers filmmakers through screenings, educational initiatives, and professional development opportunities. By showcasing bold and inspiring stories, ITWIFF aims to drive change, challenge industry norms, and create a more inclusive and equitable future for film.
Patrice Francois
Co-Founder and Executive Director | Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival
Patrice Francois is a filmmaker, creative producer, and television professional based in New York City. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival (ITWIFF) — a celebrated NYC-based festival dedicated to amplifying and empowering women and non-binary filmmakers from around the world.
Driven by her mission to champion inclusivity and representation in media, Patrice Francois founded ITWIFF to support women by showcasing their work to the public, promoting equal opportunities for BIPOC women and the LGBTQIA+ community, and fostering educational and professional development within the film industry.
Continuing her vision to create impactful spaces for women in media, Patrice Francois launched the Girl Power Film + Media Summit, an inspiring and interactive event featuring panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, and networking mixers that celebrate the creative force of women in film. She also curated Ladies Rocking the Lens, a film series spotlighting the next wave of powerful female storytellers shaping local and global cinema.
With a passion for storytelling and community-building, Patrice Francois continues to disrupt the status quo — empowering women filmmakers and redefining the narrative of what’s possible in independent cinema.
Susie Francois
Director of Development | Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival
Susie Francois is the Director of Development at Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival (ITWIFF), a New York City–based festival dedicated to empowering and amplifying women and non-binary filmmakers worldwide.
Driven by her passion for helping people grow both professionally and personally, Susie Francois focuses on creating meaningful opportunities that promote cultural change and foster diverse voices in film and media. Her deep love for cinema and storytelling inspired her to co-found Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival as a platform to uplift underrepresented filmmakers and celebrate their creative achievements.
Together with her daughter, Patrice Francois, she also launched the Girl Power Film + Media Summit and Ladies Rocking the Lens, two initiatives that continue their shared mission to champion women storytellers, inspire collaboration, and advance inclusivity in the film industry.
PROGRAMMERS
2026 INTERNS
Kierra Douglas
Programmer Intern
Kierra Douglas is a junior Mass Media Arts major concentrating in Radio/TV/Film at Clark Atlanta University. Her passion lies in filmmaking and writing. In her spare time, she enjoys catching up on the newest shows. Sci-fi, drama, action, and horror are some of her favorite genres to watch. She is a member of CAU Writers Colony (screenwriting club) and 4Reel Productions (film production club). Kierra is excited to work with Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival.
Malia Guerrero
Programmer Intern
My name is Malia Guerrero, and I am a recent graduate of San Francisco State University with a degree in Business. I have been passionate about film and television since I was young, and I’ve always been inspired by the unique impact of storytelling. Currently, I am interning at a talent agency, where I am gaining valuable insight into the entertainment industry and developing a deeper understanding of its inner workings. This experience has further strengthened my interest in the field and my desire to continue learning and growing professionally. I am excited about new opportunities that allow me to learn new skills, contribute meaningfully, and gain hands-on experience within the industry.
Theo Zacher
Programmer Intern
Theo Zacher is a third year student at Bowling Green State University with a major in Film Production and a minor in Environmental Studies. Originally a biology major, he discovered filmmaking later in his academic career, but quickly fell in love with its creative and storytelling abilities. His filmmaking work consists of short films and projects where he has taken on a variety of roles, from assistant director to camera operator to editor. A creative writer from a young age, he is hoping to pursue a career in writing for television and film. Outside of film, he enjoys playing D&D, watching Star Trek, and hanging out with his cats. He is excited to work with the Imagine This Women's International Film Festival to celebrate filmmakers from marginalized backgrounds.
Kayla owens
Programmer Intern
Throughout her life, Kayla Owens loved exploring the undiscovered. During and after attending Temple University, Kayla dedicated her professional prowess to broadcasting the underrepresented topics in the tri-state area. On television, she welcomed new small artists as executive producer of TUTV’s “The Vibe” and helped discover contributors to the Philadelphia community with WHYY’s “You Oughta Know.” Online, she helped promote women in the United Nations’ technological fields in their #DigitalUnite campaign. Kayla later found herself exploring her own creative path, creating her first film exploring the niche black art of Afrosurrealism. Kayla wishes to continue exploring the world of underrepresented creatives by contributing her knowledge to the Imagine This Women’s Film Festival
Brianna Benjamin
Programmer Intern
Brianna Benjamin is a graduate of the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Video + Sound.
Brianna discovered her love for film in high school when she took her very first film class. Over
the period of time she was in college, she developed a love for photography and integrated what she learned into my film work. Brianna took part in three small productions where she was able
to witness what it was like behind the scenes of a major project. On her days off, she spends
most of her time watching movies/TV shows, keeping up with the latest YouTube videos,
playing video games, and reading.
Henrique Ankerkrone
Programmer Intern
Henrique Ankerkrone Caldas graduated from the University of Chicago with a double major in Psychology and Cinema & Media Studies because he recognized how complementary the two subjects are. With a background in media psychology, he is particularly interested in understanding how the connection between audiences and stories can become so powerful that it influences personal identity and inspires and empowers us to confront our struggles. Henrique has entertainment experience as a Disney cast member, talent agent, script reader for a film festival, and creative development intern for a Latino-owned production company. He is currently a master’s candidate in Boston University’s Mental Health Counseling program and intends to explore how media can be used as a therapeutic tool. Nonetheless, in his spare time, Henrique still loves actively engaging with media and has a passion for sci-fi, horror, drama, and a blend of the three.
