Breaking Through The Lens is a pitching initiative helping connect female-identifying directors to top tier film investors. The programme is focused on practical actions and is a direct response to what the organisers, themselves female filmmakers, have encountered as barriers to their progress – access to finance.
The programme launched in Cannes in 2018, and they are now accepting entries for the 2019 series. The 10 successful applicants will get the chance to pitch with their team at an event at the Cannes Film Festival – a guestlist-only event where the audience is limited strictly to people in film finance who are looking to fund female-led projects. All participants will then be connected via e-mail to funders that have shown interest in their project, and every effort will be taken to help them close the deal.
Beyond that, participants will also become part of the Breaking Through The Lens network. Throughout 2019 they aim to grow this support, with quarterly events focused on aiding specific stages of pre-production.
Find out more about the programme and how to apply here.
The deadline for applications is Monday 18 March.