Girls in Film, an organisation whose mission is to change the gender bias of the film industry, has launched the Girls in Film Fund – a £5,000 grant to support a female-led short film.
Supported by footwear brand Dr Martens, the fund is looking for a project by an independent female filmmaker or small team (minimum director and producer have to identify as a woman, trans or non binary) to financially back, to ensure “important female stories and their creators are both told and heard”. They're seeking projects that answer the question "what does female strength means to you?". They're on the look out for projects with fleshed out characters, defined storylines and encouraging messaging. Girls in Film Fund will accept applications from female filmmakers (minimum director & producer have to be female) with films of any genre up to 7 minutes in length. The films can be in any stage of production but have to be able to deliver to our project deadline in July 2020. Through this film they want to celebrate the spirit of female independence and resilience. The overarching goal of their granting program is "to help ensure that important female stories and their creators are both told and heard."
London-based producer, film curator, and Girls in Film Founder Nikola Vasakova created the platform in 2016 to attempt to eradicate the gender bias in the industry and restore balance. “I founded Girls In Film to try and redress the inequality in an industry that all-too-often sees female creatives patronised and prevented from realising their potential,” she explains. “I’ve always wanted to be able to provide as many opportunities as we can through GiF, so this new fund is our chance to put our money where our mouth is and provide some much needed financial support to wmxn directors and producers in the UK.”
Applications are open until 4 March; find out more and apply here. Projects will be green-lighted in March 2020.