Portland, OR, is steadily transforming into the epicenter for women’s sports storytelling and cultural celebration. From the arrival of the WNBA’s Portland Fire and the loyal fan base behind the Portland Thorns to the world’s first sports bar to feature women’s sports exclusively, Portland has become a national leader in championing women athletes. 

Now, Portland is adding another selection to the list by hosting the world’s first film festival dedicated to women and non-binary athletes. The International Women’s Sports Film Festival is positioning itself as a new platform to elevate how stories of women in sports are told and who tells them. The festival’s organizers said the event aims to elevate stories on the big screen that rarely get told due to limited media attention and investment. 

Jenny Nguyen, one of the festival’s founders, said the idea originated with Kate Delhagen who served as a strategic advisor to The Sports Bra, where Nguyen is a founder and CEO. The two began discussing the need for more spaces to honor the depth and diversity of women’s sports stories. 

“Passing the microphone to these folks creates so much passion and inspiration,” Nguyen said. “These are the voices and stories that deserve to be heard in this moment and many moments to come.” 

Nguyen brought in two partners, Molly King, the co-executive director and programmer of QDoc, and Kimiko Matsuda, the founder of The Idea Factory. Together, the trio blended film, sports, and the mission to amplify underrepresented voices in sports media. 

Along with special curated documentary screenings, the festival offers panel discussions featuring filmmakers and sports icons, as well as post-screening conversations with directors, producers, athletes and film subjects. 

“These are the voices and stories that deserve to be heard in this moment and many moments to come.”

Jenny Nguyen

The three-day event kicked off with an intimate portrait and an inside glimpse into women’s sports trailblazer Billie Jean King. The film that revealed her fight to transform the sport of tennis, featuring candid interviews and archival footage. 

International films are also part of the festival’s incredible lineup. One of the selections, Championesses, follows six elite Polish athletes as they navigate ambition, motherhood, resilience and the challenges of their respective sports. The film also captures a milestone moment when women athletes outnumbered men on Poland’s Olympic team. 

In addition to the film’s screenings, the IWSFF provides an official viewing experience for fans. Attendees had the opportunity to watch a live stream of the Portland Thorns' away game against the Chicago Red Stars, during which they lept off their seats and erupted in loud cheers as the Thorns secured a 0-2 win. 

Attendees  shared that the festival plays a crucial role in expanding visibility for non-binary and women athletes. 

“Women’s stories are not as visible and exposed as men’s stories,” one attendee said. “It doesn’t get the same media attention and sponsorship. I believe this is an opportunity for women to be heard and known,”

Another festival-goer said the films left a lasting impression. 

“After watching Off Course and Unmatched, I feel so incredibly inspired. I’m not a formal athlete, but it’s so amazing to see what women can do.” 

When asked what inspired them to attend the festival, many said the event felt revolutionary. 

“I hadn’t seen anything like this,” one attendee said. “I saw it on Instagram, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, that looks amazing.’ I was just really excited when I saw it advertised.” 

Another attendee said their connection to Jenny drew them in.

“I saw Jenny at TEDx Portland, and it came into my inbox because of The Sports Bra,” they said. “Seeing Jenny create this community and seeing the amazing projects she’s put on, it’s just amazing to see and support.” 

Despite the festival's fandom, organizers and filmmakers face several challenges in getting women’s sports stories onto the big screen. Funding is limited, distribution opportunities are hard to find, and women athletes still do not receive the same media opportunities as male athletes. 

“The filmmakers of these stories face a terrible cycle in which a lack of investment and media coverage creates these hurdles,” Nguyen said. “Despite these challenges, the landscape is shifting as athlete-led production companies and record-breaking viewership numbers in 2026 are finally proving that these stories deserve investment.” 

The IWSFF gives these creators a prominent, encouraging platform to share their work and compelling stories behind it. Through festivals like the IWSFF, more meaningful stories can be shown on screens, which finally center women athletes’ voices. These stories of identity, courage, loss, and resilience highlight a need for representation at the top-down level, from on the field to on the screen.