PRESS RELEASE: First-Ever International Women’s Sports Film Festival Launches in Portland this Spring
Three-Day Event Will Celebrate Global Stories of Women and Nonbinary Athletes on Screen
PORTLAND, Ore. (March 18, 2026) — Today, The Sports Bra, QDoc, and The Idea Factory announced the inaugural International Women’s Sports Film Festival (IWSFF), dedicated entirely to elevating women and nonbinary athletes. The festival will debut at The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts from May 1-3.
The groundbreaking festival will showcase non-fiction films, documentaries, and shorts from around the world that spotlight the stories of women and nonbinary athletes and their impact on sports culture. Through film screenings, interactive programming, and community events, the IWSFF seeks to inspire audiences, empower young athletes, and advance dialogue around gender equity in sport.
In addition to its curated film screenings, the IWSFF will include panel discussions featuring filmmakers and sports experts, workshops for emerging storytellers, red carpet events, and post-screening conversations with directors, producers, athletes, and film subjects. The three-day event will also feature family-friendly programming and youth engagement initiatives designed to motivate the next generation of athletes and storytellers.
The idea for the festival originated from sports industry veteran Kate Delhagen, who has served as a strategic advisor to The Sports Bra, the world’s first sports bar committed to exclusively televising women’s sports. She shared her vision with Jenny Nguyen, founder and CEO of The Bra. They then tapped Molly King, co-executive director and programmer of QDoc, and Kimiko Matsuda, founder of The Idea Factory. Together, these four powerful women believe the IWSFF represents a bold step forward in elevating representation in athletics and media.
Delhagen said, “I’ve always enjoyed watching documentaries and other films about women’s sports, although they were often hard to find. Now, with the enormous momentum around all things women’s sports, it struck me as the perfect time to extend the impact of The Sports Bra and create a film festival for women’s sports fans. Jenny agreed, and we are very excited to be doing it.”
“The stories of women in sports deserve a permanent and unapologetic platform in film and in culture,” said Nguyen. “While many of these films confront challenges, they also celebrate progress and joy. Each story highlights breakthroughs, representation, and the growing visibility of women athletes who are reshaping the future of sports. Every athlete on screen is a main character, and this festival ensures their voices get the attention they deserve.”
Festival co-founder, Molly King, emphasized Nguyen’s sentiment. “Our hope is that these films don’t just inspire audiences through sport, but expand the imagination around what sport builds in people, the transferable superpowers of leadership, collaboration, and resilience.”
“In Portland, design is how we connect people to ideas—and how those ideas move from local communities to global impact. IWSFF is a living example of that: a thoughtfully designed cultural experience that transforms storytelling into connection, visibility, and lasting change — ushering in a new era for women’s sports.”
A preview event featuring a screening of "The Moment,” a documentary highlighting Coach Dawn Staley of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, will be held on Saturday, April 11, at the Dolores Winningstad Theatre. The preview will also include a panel discussion of local coaches and give audiences an early look at trailers and upcoming festival highlights.
Organizers expect more than 2,000+ attendees across festival events, including sports fans, filmmakers, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community members, student athletes, and creators. The founders are also seeking sponsors to support the event's operations. Building on The Sports Bra’s strong momentum in elevating awareness of women’s sports, the event reinforces Portland’s reputation as a hub for progressive cultural events and an epicenter of women’s sports. With national and international visitors expected, the festival aims to contribute to the city’s cultural and economic vitality while positioning Portland as a global destination for women’s sports and film.
Additional festival details, film announcements, and ticket information will be released in the coming months on iwsff.org and on Instagram at @iwsff_pdx.
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