Our Mission

In the Academy Awards’ 96 year history, only three women have won “Best Director” with only seven women even receiving a nomination for this highly coveted award. Yet coming out of the world’s top film schools there is gender parity. Breaking Through The Lens identifies financing as the bottleneck area most in need of change in order to achieve a more diverse and equitable film industry.

We believe that by providing secure avenues to finance by way of grants, curated meetings and industry mentorship, we can systemically change our industry’s landscape and improve gender representation at the top levels of cinema. Our program is open to any filmmaker who experiences marginalization due to their gender, including women, non-binary and trans directors with a feature film – or documentary – in late stage development. Our mission is to be a results-driven resource, one that promotes passionate storytelling, smart business and gender equality.

There is a shift in the industry occurring, a moment that must be seized, and it will be deeds not words that bring about this change. Join us as Breaking Through The Lens leads the way.

STORY DRIVEN.

BUSINESS WISE.

IMPACT MINDED.

ACTION GRANTS

In 2023, we launched our first Action Grant program. We aim to grow these grants as a center piece of our initiative moving forward, ranging from $10-50k per project.

PROJECT SHOWCASE

The five finalists from our Grant Applications enter into our core showcase, where we help setup meetings with financiers, focusing on Cannes and Toronto Markets.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

We host dynamic panels and events around the world focused on gender equality, where likeminded filmmakers can meet and connect. Our key events take place at Cannes, Venice, Berlin and Toronto Film Festivals.

EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS

We host virtual workshops throughout the year, which cover a diverse range of subjects including film finance, pitch training, festival navigation and distribution.

APPLICATIONS FOR OUR NEXT CYCLE WILL OPEN SUNDAY MAY 19TH 2024.

— Testimonials —

“To be supported by a pack of fierce women is a dream. You have helped get this project over the line.”
-Tina Gharavi, Writer/Director, BTTL 2019 (she/her)

“Every single company came at us with wild enthusiasm and it was exciting and gratifying to know that the project is resounding with so many smart folks.”
- Rachel Feldamn, Writer/Director, BTTL 2020 (she/her)

“Breaking Through The Lens is a beacon of access for all the other non-binary folks out there, wondering if a program is welcoming of them. Wondering if they belong.”
- Lora Campbell, Writer/Director, BTTL 2020 (they/them)

“We’ve made so many brilliant new contacts through BTTL, it’s catapulted The Tides forward on its journey to production.”
- Isla Ure, Writer/Director, BTTL 2021 (she/her)