The first WOW Colombo took place at the National Film Corporation on 2 and 3 December 2017.

The festival featured an impressive lineup of panellists and speakers, including figures like Chandani Seneviratne, Nidhi Goyal, and Dr. Farzana Haniffa. The program included talks, panel discussions, workshops, and mentoring sessions that covered themes such as Women at Work, Right to Reflect, and No More Taboo. Workshops addressed various topics, including cyber-exploitation, self-kindness, and gender stereotyping. The festival showcased short films, international films, and performances by artists like Eva Priyanka Wegener and Thuya Maruppom. The festival included short talks and stories as part of WOW Bites, and opportunities for audiences to take part in WOW Speed mentoring.

WOW Colombo was presented by The British Council Colombo.