‘Breaking Through The Lens’ launches 2022 applications cycle

Breaking Through The Lens announced their plans for 2022, including jury members and call for submissions. Spearheaded by filmmakers Daphne Schmon, Emily Carlton and Elpida Stathatou, Breaking Through The Lens (BTTL) is a grassroots movement focused on measurable actions to overcome the greatest barrier to women and non-binary directors – access to finance. Submissions are being accepted now to 10 March, with the finalists to be announced at the Cannes Film Festival.

‘Breaking Through The Lens’ now in its 5th year, curates a small selection of the highest-quality feature films by female and non-binary directors from around the world – projects that are already far along in development, and gives them the opportunity to pitch in front of top-tier financiers. 

This pioneering year-round program seeks to be a practical resource for underserved filmmakers, one that is multicultural, intersectional and results-driven. Submissions are now open for qualifying filmmakers to submit feature-film projects in need of financing, with ten to be selected and given the opportunity and platform to pitch to film investors, distributors, and sales agents at Cannes and TIFF.  

Breaking Through the Lens has built financial connections for some incredible up and coming talent. One recent success story is Moroccan-American documentary filmmaker Rita Baghdadi whose film SIRENS is in Sundance’s official selection this year.

The facts:

• As noted in the 2021 Celluloid Ceiling report from San Diego State University, the number of female directors on top Hollywood films declined, with women comprising 17% of directors on the top 250 grossing movies, down from 18% the previous year. When the focus narrowed to the top 100 films, women comprised 12% of directors down from 16% in 2020
• Few women were involved with directing major releases in 2021-  Cate Shortland’s Black Widow and Chloé Zhao’s Eternals were the only two female-directed titles among the year’s top 10 hits in UK and Ireland
• Only two women have won Best Director in the Oscar’s 93-year history 

Today, ‘Breaking Through The Lens’, also announces this year’s Official Jury of industry experts who will judge the submissions. This so far includes Deana A. Nassar, Manager of GROW Creative MENA at Netflix; Romola Garai, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actress (Atonement, Emma); River Gallo, Filmmaker, Actor, Intersex Activist, recipient of 2019 GLAAD Rising Star Award; Julia Stuart, Director of Sky Original Films; Tamara Barton-Campbell, British Screen Forum ‘Future Leader’ 2021 and Founder of Renaissance Studios. More to be announced.

Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actress Romola Garai said: “I’m so honoured to be a part of the Breaking Through the Lens Official Jury. I know first-hand the unique challenges that all Directors face, and when you’re part of an underrepresented group these challenges are magnified. Recent years we have seen progress with gender representation in the industry, but the numbers don’t lie, we’re not there yet. That’s why disruptive programmes like Breaking Through The Lens are so essential.”

Co-Founder Daphne Schmon said: “Breaking Through The Lens was born out of our own frustration as women in the industry, seeing our peers shut out by the gatekeepers due to conscious and unconscious bias. There has been a marked improvement at the awards level, but make no mistake, in reality the numbers are in decline and we are hardly seeing any non-binary Directors recognised by mainstream media. We believe that in order to achieve lasting change, conversations around inclusion must address finance – how business is being conducted, and by whom.”

The 2022 BTTL application cycle is open to female and non-binary directors from around the world with a feature film project in late-stage development. Required fields include a finished script, a producer with feature-film experience, and a finance plan.  

This year, ‘Breaking Through The Lens’ is also launching a brand new expanded Membership Network, which all applicants will have the option to join. The Network will include training workshops, pitch labs, discounted script and consultation services, as well as an industry mixer event. 

Breaking Through The Lens is thrilled to be continuing their partnership with One Two Twenty Entertainment and Ramo Law in Los Angeles, as well as Film London and NYU’s The Purple List.  

To find out more and apply, visit here.