New Documentary "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery" Celebrates the Revolutionary Spirit of Women-Led Music Festival

The upcoming feature-length documentary "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery," directed by Ally Pankiw, will premiere on September 17, 2025, in Canada on CBC and CBC Gem, and in the United States on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on September 21, 2025, following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival . The film chronicles the birth, triumph, and enduring influence of Lilith Fair, the all-women music festival founded by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan in the late 1990s—a direct response to the entrenched sexism of the music industry, where women were routinely denied opportunities to share the stage or receive consecutive radio airplay .

Lilith Fair began as an act of rebellion and solidarity. At a time when festival lineups were overwhelmingly male and the idea of an all-female bill was considered commercially risky, McLachlan and her team, including Terry McBride, Dan Fraser, and Marty Diamond, set out to prove the industry wrong . The film draws from over 600 hours of previously unseen archival footage, new interviews, and stories from fans, organizers, and artists, documenting the resistance the founders faced from both industry executives and the press .

Director Ally Pankiw highlights the obstacles: “The collaborative effort of this film and what it took to make it mirrors the incredible underdog story of Sarah and her team and how they fought for Lilith to succeed against all odds” .

Lilith Fair’s impact extends far beyond concert ticket sales. For many LGBTQ+ people, the festival was a rare public space where diverse identities were celebrated openly. The documentary features interviews with a spectrum of artists—both original participants like Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Paula Cole, Jewel, Mýa, Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls, and Emmylou Harris, and new-generation musicians such as Brandi Carlile and Olivia Rodrigo—many of whom reflect on the importance of the festival for queer visibility and acceptance in music .

Dan Levy, one of the documentary’s producers, remarked, “Lilith Fair holds a very special place in my heart. It was one of the first spaces where I remember feeling at home. The music, the sense of community, and the power of a group of women proving an entire industry wrong were a tremendous thing to experience. What Sarah built with that festival changed so much for so many people” .

The festival was especially significant for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people, many of whom felt isolated from both mainstream culture and the male-dominated music scene of the time. The presence of openly queer artists, such as the Indigo Girls, and the communal atmosphere of the tour fostered a sense of belonging and pride that resonated with attendees and performers alike .

Although Lilith Fair ran for only a few years in its original form, its influence endures in today’s music industry and LGBTQ+ advocacy. The documentary explores both the cultural backlash Lilith Fair faced—including accusations of being “too niche” or “too political”—and its lasting legacy as a touchstone for women’s and queer empowerment in the arts . The film also includes perspectives from younger artists who have built on the foundation Lilith Fair laid, using their platforms to champion broader representation and inclusivity.

Sarah McLachlan, reflecting on the film, said, “I’m so filled with pride and nostalgia watching this film. Ally and the team have beautifully captured the magic and strength of a community of women who came together and lifted each other up to create positive change in the world. I hope the film resonates with everyone and we can continue to strive to support and champion one another” .

Commissioned by CBC with participation from the Canada Media Fund and the Rogers Group of Funds, the documentary is produced by Dan Levy’s Not A Real Production Company and Elevation Pictures for ABC News Studios, and presented by White Horse Pictures in association with Epic Magazine .

“Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery” arrives at a time when conversations about gender equity, LGBTQ+ representation, and artistic freedom are as pressing as ever . The film’s release is poised to inspire new audiences, especially young LGBTQ+ people seeking models of resistance and community.

As director Ally Pankiw notes, “I am so proud to be a part of this beautiful doc—especially at what feels like a fitting time to highlight a story of resistance and radical joy in the face of systems that try to keep women and diverse voices small” .

For viewers who lived through Lilith Fair, the documentary offers a window into a moment of solidarity and hope. For those discovering it for the first time, it provides a powerful reminder that change is possible when marginalized voices unite to build something bigger than themselves.