A non-profit advocating for gender equality in film by providing vital support at the financing stage. Our program offers action grants, fiscal sponsorship, curated meetings and industry mentorship.
BTTL RETURNS TO SUNDANCE 2026
The Facts
Women make up over
half off cinema
audiences
Only 12% of directors are
women
In 96 years, women have
received only 3 oscars
for best director
We’re on a mission to make equality in film non-negotiable.
These statistics are drawn from a Celluloid Ceiling report conducted by the Center for the Study of Women in
Television and Film at San Diego State University.
Enough Talk.
It’s Time for Action.
Access to funding should not depend on gender or proximity to power.
In 2018, eighty-two women stood together on the Palais steps at the Cannes Film Festival in an unprecedented protest for gender equality in the film industry. Among them were Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart, Ava DuVernay, Léa Seydoux, and Salma Hayek. They represented the 82 female directors, compared to 1,866 men, to have ever competed for the Palme d’Or in the festival’s 71 year history.
Breaking Through The Lens (BTTL) was founded that same year, as a direct response to this call.
We have identified the financing stage as the most critical barrier, and believe change will only happen through action, not rhetoric.
Our Approach
We move beyond advocacy into action, by connecting exceptional female talent*
to the business funding, tools and access needed to bring their stories to life.
Grants
Direct Funding
Provides financial support through action grants and fiscal sponsorship to help women filmmakers fund their projects.
Education
Tools & Resources
Offers business workshops and one-on-one mentorship to equip filmmakers with industry knowledge and skills.
Festivals
Visibility & Access
Creates networking opportunities and vetted investor introductions to increase exposure and industry access.
The program is supported by Three Pillars:
A jury of leading professionals choose the winners of the BTTL Grants and Cohort program, based on creative strength and market feasibility.
MEET THE JURY
Live online workshops form the educational core of the program.
Workshop examples:
- Innovative Strategies for Film Financing & Impact
- Sustainable Film Production
- Festival Strategy Ahead of Cannes
- Film Marketing & PR in the Digital Age
- Green Steward Training & Set Placement Prep
All our members have access to the BTTL Portal, an interactive online platform that supports learning across all phases.
Resources include:
- Recorded workshops and downloadable tools
- Toolkits including: pitch deck templates, budget builders, and green checklists
- Festival and funder databases
- Monthly group calls for all our members
- AI-supported story and funding development tools
- Mentor bios and participant networking space
Cannes Film Festival Immersion, Venice Film Festival event, Toronto Film Festival event, Sundance Film Festival event, Berlinale Film Festival event
Day 1
Welcome & Orientation
Day 3
Market Navigation & Industry Meetings
Day 2
Pitching & AI Tools
Day 4
Immersive Futures & Strategic Planning
Events at all major Film festivals with special guests and panels. Venice Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Berlinale Film Festival.
Become a Member
At Breaking Through The Lens, our community is our foundation. Built by filmmakers for filmmakers, we understand the struggle firsthand, and we know that real change only happens when we come together.
LEARN MORE
Get Involved
We are planning to expand Breaking Through The Lens to other major festivals around the world and to create a supportive network for women through every stage of making their feature films. Find out how you can join us on this journey.
Attend our events
Our events are strictly invite only. However, we will evaluate individual requests on a case by case basis. Please include your company affiliation.
INQUIREStay informed
Applications for our next BTTL Action Grant are now closed. The shortlist will be announced November 1st.
READ GUIDELINESJoin the movement
Applications for our next BTTL Action Grant are now closed. The shortlist will be announced November 1st.
GET IN TOUCH