The International Women’s Podcast Festival (IWPF), a highly anticipated event celebrating women’s voices and storytelling in audio and podcasting, unfortunately, announces that it will not be taking place this year. The decision comes from insufficient industry support and funding, which has regrettably hindered our ability to organize and execute the festival at the scale and quality that we believe the global community of women in podcasting and audio deserves. 

At Content is Queen, we firmly believe in the power of supporting, platforming, and empowering women’s voices in the audio industry. Our missions has always been to create a space that encourages and fosters participation for women in podcasting, in an industry that continues to snowball. It is disheartening to encounter such challenges in rallying the necessary financial support to realize this vision.

While we are disappointed by the lack of backing we received, we are not surprised. We have witnessed other events organized by diverse founders and leaders facing similar issues of being postponed or cancelled altogether. This prevailing trend only further highlights the systemic obstacles underrepresented groups face within the industry. The decision to postpone was not taken lightly, but it is our responsibility to priorities the quality and impact of the event.

However, the absence of the IWPF this year does not diminish our commitment to amplifying women’s voices and promoting inclusivity. We firmly believe that events like IWPF are essential to provide a platform for diverse perspectives, foster collaboration, and drive positive change. We will continue to advocate for women’s storytelling, empowering female creators and striving for a more equitable podcasting landscape.

As we reflect on the situation, we remain resolute in our determination to bring back the International Women’s Podcast Festival in 2024. We will use this time to regroup, engage with potential partners, and explore avenues to secure the necessary support and resources to deliver the outstanding festival experiences that our global community deserves.

In the meantime, we encourage all individuals, organizations, and industry leaders to reflect upon the importance of supporting underrepresented voices and representation within podcasting. Let us work together to dismantle the barriers that prevent diverse talent from flourishing in this dynamic field. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant podcasting industry for everyone.

For further updates and information regarding the International Women’s Podcast Festival, please visit our website http://festival.contentisqueen.org and follow us on social media @contentisqueenhq.