The festival's location alternates between Cologne and Dortmund, two major cities in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and it provides a platform for women filmmakers in all aspects of film production.
At the time, the group included Esther Baron, Angelika Dötig, Karin Jurschick, Elke Kimmlinger, Katja Mildenberger, Biddy Pastor, Dagmar Röper and Astrid Völker.
[3] With these changes, the Feminale became an international film festival, with European and Country Programs.
[8] On an alternating biennial basis, the International Debut Feature Fiction Film Competition for young filmmakers and the National Competition for Women Directors of Photography, aimed at the next generation of camera women at German film schools, are awarded in Cologne.
On an alternating biennial basis, the International Fiction Feature Film Award is given in Dortmund for women directors who have been active for many years.