New York Women in Film & Television is proud to co-present at Queens World film Festival “Tough as Nails: 7 Films that remind us she is more than a manicure”.
These films represent stories about the spirit, the heart, the wisdom, and when needed, the grit of our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Kaufman Zukor Theater (35th Street & 35th Avenue Queens, NY 11106)
Price: $22.60
*NYWIFT Members, check out your member e-blast for an exclusive comp code for tickets to this screening (limited comp tickets available)
About the Films
Reverse
Director: Kaustav Mukherjee
Animation | USA | 2025 | 5:20
Every year, the female divine power Durga is worshipped for her triumph over all evil, yet reality paints a completely different hypocritical picture as women live with consistent suffering and horror of rape, murder, and injustice. This hand-drawn animated short film highlights the stark contrast between the grand celebration of women’s power and the horrific reality faced by women in India.
The Road to Lilith
Director: Liz Sweeney
Narrative Short | USA | 11:08
For centuries, women have had hid their fierceness, suppressing their “Dark Feminine”, for fear of judgment from the patriarchy. The Road to Lilith is a coming-of-age story for the middle-aged, a new declaration of independence for anyone who has lost their voice and is ready to risk it all to find it again.
The Road to Lilith serves as a rescue mission for any person feeling dissatisfied or disempowered; reminding everyone to heed their sacred inner voice. We need to recover and reclaim all the parts of ourselves. We should aspire to live our lives unapologetically before it’s too late.
An excess baggage
Director: Myriam Garcia Marienstras
Narrative Short | France | 2025 | 16:20
Sophie hides her unhappiness in the close-knit relationship she shares with her daughter, Lila. When Lila leaves for summer camp, Sophie’s reality crumbles, and her anxieties resurface. She then tries to escape her loneliness by any means possible.
She Was, She Is, She Never Will Be
Director: Sonya LaTorre
Narrative Short | USA | 2025 | 11:57
High Schoolers Tylynn and Adam have been BFFs since before they could even say “BFF”, but Adam has been keeping a secret: he’s in love with her. When he finds out that Tylynn is dating his best friend, Adam is fed up, triggering an explosive confrontation… that will change both of their lives.
Choice
Director: Marko Crnogorski
Narrative Short | North Macedonia | 2025 | 17:00
A young mother and her toddler face a devastating reality when a new law bans her scheduled abortion. Desperate to avoid the lengthy process of obtaining a special license, she opts for an illegal procedure. As she delves into the underground world, the story takes a tragic turn, underscoring the harsh consequences of restrictive legislation on women’s reproductive rights.
Destiny
Director: J. Anthony Roman
Narrative Short | USA | 2024 | 12:47
A girl spends the day with her father, pitting her against his addiction. The film is based on the filmmaker’s childhood experiences.
Darcine’s Day
Director: Aaron Goffman
Narrative Short | USA | 2024 | 16:30
We spend the day with Darcine Thomas, divorced and jobless, as she struggles to get back on her feet. She goes from pillar to post trying to find work and support, with obstacles at every turn. When propositioned by a good friend, she thanks him, but returns to her lonely solace, going unseen for the help she really needs.
Starring Kyla Diane Kennedy and Brent Huff, Darcine’s Day is a social commentary on the post-pandemic job market, the difficulties of finding affordable housing, and the disappearing middle class.
*Photos courtesy of Queens World Film Festival
Queens World Film Festival 2025 runs November 5-16, 2025. You can see full list of films and purchase tickets HERE.
Founded in 2010 and nurtured into existence by husband-and-wife Queens residents and filmmakers Donald Preston Cato and Katha Cato, Queens World became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2014. Queens World is dedicated to supporting international and local filmmakers at every stage of their career with a multi-venue, multi-day film festival, mentoring and professional development programs, industry panels, school based immersion programs, the Pop Up Film School, The Listening Tour and ongoing Encore Screening opportunities for festival alumni.
To date, Queens World has screened 1,979 films representing 98 nations, with 274 films from filmmakers located in Queens including 31 by Queens public school students. Queens World has produced over 600 screening events serving over 80,000 audiences with exciting films and engaging talk backs designed to connect film lovers and filmmakers.
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NYWIFT programs, screenings and events are supported, in part, by grants from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
