The Future of Film Is Female Will Bring Three Recent Indie Gems to a City Near You

Looking for a different kind of summer blockbuster? The Future of Film Is Female has announced today an exciting new project, Three Films, Five Cities, billed as “a multi-city curatorial project” that will see three recent independent films screen in five U.S. cities across the United States (Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Houston, and Cleveland) this March through May. The project is supported by Neon, which has often partnered with the org to bolster rising filmmakers.

Three Films, Five Cities includes the release of two independent feature directorial debuts acquired by The FOFIF, including “Reeling” by Yana Alliata (executive produced by Werner Herzog) and “Puddysticks” by Megan Seely (produced by Academy Award winner Alex Coco). Shatara Michelle Ford’s sophomore release, “Dreams in Nightmares,” rounds out the trio.

In an official statement, Coleman told IndieWire, “Far too many independent films are slipping through the cracks and are not receiving the theatrical experience they deserve. Three Films, Five Cities is an urgent response to the current moment; offering a flexible, collaborative, and rotating distribution plan to further realize our mission to introduce indie films directed by women and nonbinary filmmakers to audiences. We are honored and privileged to present three diverse and meaningful independent films by three incredible filmmakers: Megan Seely, Yana Alliata, and Shatara Michelle Ford.”

The release began on March 18 at the American Cinematheque as part of their Women Wednesday 2026 series. Other participating cinemas include The Roxy, Nitehawk Cinema, River Oaks Theater, Vidiots, Tomorrow Theater & Whitsell, and Cleveland Cinematheque.

This is the third distribution partnership for founder Caryn Coleman’s The Future of Film Is Female, following Hannah Peterson’s 2024 drama “The Graduates” and Sierra Falconer’s 2025 omnibus “Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake).” Coleman will handle the U.S. theatrical release for both “Reeling” and “Puddysticks,” while an upcoming announcement for the U.S. theatrical rights for “Dreams in Nightmares” is coming soon.

You can check out the trailers for “Puddysticks” and “Reeling” below.