You Are Invited

Breaking Through The Lens

supporting the visionary women reshaping cinema
London Fundraiser
Monday 5th October 2026
6PM Cocktails · 7–9PM Three-course Dinner & Special Programme
NEXUS Club London · South Kensington
Dress code: Evening Chic
Why this evening matters

Talent is not the barrier. Access to finance is.

The films that shape our culture are determined long before a camera starts rolling, by who gets backed, who gets access, and whose vision is given the chance to move forward.

This intimate London fundraiser brings together patrons and leaders from across film, art and culture to support Breaking Through The Lens and the visionary women shaping the future of cinema.

Funds raised will help expand access to financing, mentorship and strategic industry opportunities that enable exceptional filmmakers to move ambitious work forward.

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13%
Women directing the top films
Women directed just 13% of the top 250 U.S. films in 2025.
2%
Academy Best Director nominations
Across 98 years of the Academy Awards, women account for only around 2% of Best Director nominations.
3
Women have ever won
Only three women have ever won the Academy Award for Best Director.

We intervene where careers and films are most often stalled: at the financing stage, connecting exceptional women directors with the funding, knowledge and industry access required to move ambitious work forward.

Breaking Through The Lens exists to change the pipeline behind these numbers.

Our community

Industry voices who stand behind our mission

Across leading international festivals and cultural events, filmmakers, artists and industry leaders have joined Breaking Through The Lens as speakers, guests and supporters of our mission.
Previous speakers and guests at Breaking Through The Lens events
The impact of your support

Action speaks louder than words

Our results-driven approach at BTTL ensures every contribution helps create real opportunities for exceptional women and LGBTQIA+ directors, enabling them to bring their stories to the screen.

01

Direct Grants

Putting unrestricted funding directly into filmmakers' hands, giving them the resources and flexibility to advance their projects.

02

Industry Access

Connecting filmmakers with financiers, producers and industry leaders who can help bring their projects to life.

03

Career Support

Providing mentorship, practical expertise and strategic guidance to help filmmakers build sustainable careers.

In their own words

Filmmaker image
Filmmaker perspective
[Insert an approved testimonial from a BTTL-supported filmmaker here.]
[Filmmaker name]
[Filmmaker credit / BTTL programme]
Jury member image
Jury member perspective
[Insert an approved testimonial from a BTTL jury member here.]
[Jury member name]
BTTL Jury Member
[Professional title / jury year]
70%

of BTTL alumni move into production following the programme.

60

countries represented in BTTL's international community.

An evening with purpose

Reserve your place

Join us for an intimate evening supporting the exceptional women filmmakers who are the heartbeat of BTTL. Select your level of support below and help bring the visionary stories of our community to life.

£300
1 seat each

Guest

Your place at the London fundraiser, including cocktails, a three-course dinner and the evening's special programme. Acknowledgment in our BTTL Annual Brochure and Website, with the option to remain anonymous if you wish.

£500
1 seat each

Priority Seating

Priority seating near a notable Guest of Honour during dinner, plus priority invitations to all future BTTL events, including our signature Cannes event.

£1,250
1 seat each

Patron

Join our exclusive Patron circle, in addition to securing priority seating at this evening's dinner. Our Patrons will benefit from curated roundtables hosted throughout the year, an invitation to our private Investor Showcase, first-look access to BTTL's vetted projects, and reserved Patron seating at all future BTTL events.

£2,000
2 seats each

Patron for Two

Two seats at the London fundraiser, with full Patron benefits for both guests.

£5,000
5 seats each
Only 2 tables available
An exceptional evening together

Patron Table

A private table for five guests, with Patron benefits for the table host.

Online reservations are completed securely through Stripe. Patron Table requests will open soon.

Guest information

Stripe checkout collects your name and offers an optional field for dietary requirements, including allergies. We will follow up for any additional guest details. You can also tell us if you have something special to offer for our proposed auction.

Our commitment

BTTL commits to directing 100% of contributions received towards our filmmaker grants, festival programming and educational masterclasses. Please note that to date, our operational team has worked entirely on a volunteer basis.

This commitment is made possible
by the generous support of our partners