The Women’s Storytelling Festival committee is preparing to announce the 2026 lineup and to start promoting, gathering sponsors and volunteers, and building the schedule. But before we do that, I wanted to pause and take a moment to look back at the 2025 Women’s Storytelling Festival.
First, when I tell people about the Women’s Storytelling Festival, the first thing they ask is, what is that? I put together this 5 minute video, clips from the emcees and storytellers of the 2025 WSF, as a way of showing what the Women’s Storytelling Festival is all about. Definitely watch the video, but also understand that the best way to understand what the WSF is, is to join us for the next one, either in-person or watching online! But first, this:
But don’t take my word for it. Here are some quotes from audience members about the 2025 Women’s Storytelling Festival.
WSF is an asset to the community. Beyond the fact that it highlights Women’s stories, it brings topnotch storytelling, from a diverse group of tellers, to people who might not get to travel to the National Festival. Priced reasonably and there is help for people who cannot afford it.
Women’s Storytelling Festival is the gold standard for what a festival can be: a welcoming space for personal, traditional, braided and original tales through which we get to better understand each other while being wonderfully entertained! Especially at this time, Women’s Storytelling Festival provides a much needed platform for women to tell stories often unheard in many other spaces as well as a space for audiences to hear stories which need to be heard. These stories provide layered context to women’s lived experiences and a gateway for further conversations; conversations which are essential for better understanding.
I look forward to hearing the WSF stories each year. These storytellers are rich with talent and their stories make me think and feel. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful stories with us.
The festival represents the voices of women who faces difficulties in their lives including pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, career change, marriage, life, etc. Many people don’t realize until they hear from the teller’s personal stories or folktales. WSF helps people to be aware of what women have to go through.
This is one of the most important storytelling festivals in the world. Truly. It empowers women–not just the tellers, but the listeners as well. The stories are always so important and need to be told. For men, as well as women, to hear. This festival gives women a place to tell stories they couldn’t tell in other storytelling venues. A brilliant festival in all respects!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out our survey and to leave these beautiful testimonials.
There are so many people to thank. So many, if fact, that I put together a video to do just that. This one is only a minute long. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch. And if you are in the video, I hope you know how much we appreciate YOU!
For those interested in performing in the Women’s Storytelling Festival…If you applied for 2026 and have not received an invite, then please know that your application has been held to review again for 2027. If you haven’t applied for a while, and want to be considered for the 2027 festival, here is the application. We do not fault for multiple applications so, if you aren’t sure, or if you just want to update your submission, go ahead.
If you’d like to volunteer for the 2026 festival, let us know by filling out this volunteer form. We are still in early days, so stay tuned for more!
The best way to stay informed about the Women’s Storytelling Festival, Better Said Than Done shows, workshops, and more, online and in-person, is to subscribe to our newsletter here.
Thank you for reading, and for all of your support over the years! We’ll see you again soon.
Check out our upcoming events here!