A non-profit initiative that advocates for gender equality in the film industry by way of grants, curated meetings and mentorship. Each year we select five features with a female, non-binary or trans director and support them in launching their projects. We host key events at Cannes, Venice, and Toronto Film Festivals.
Chopard x BTTL
€ 10,000 Action Grant
In 2023 we launched our inaugural Action Grant, together with renowned jewelry and watch house Chopard, to help directors of marginalized gender take concrete action towards moving their feature into production with a 10,000 Euro commitment.
“As an avid lover of cinema, I have had the honour of associating Chopard with film for several decades. As a woman, I am very aware that women are still too rare in the industry, which is why I admire the work initiated by BTTL and why it was only natural that Chopard should support the organisation and its overall aim.”
- Caroline Scheufele, President of Chopard
THE FILMS
after operating for 5 years under a fiscal sponsor, Breaking through the lens (bttl) RECENTLY SETUP AS A 501(C)3 non-profit organization in the united states. simultaneously WHILE WE LAUNCHED our NEW action GRANT program IN COLLABORATION WITH CHOPARD.
view our finalists below.
APPLICATIONS FOR our next bttl CYCLE WILL RE-OPEN at cannes 2024.
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
<8%
FEMALE DIRECTORS OF TOP 100 FILMS
Last year less than eight percent of the top one-hundred films worldwide were directed by women.
+300
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
We received over two-hundred applications for our last cycle.
54
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
Applicants submitted projects from around the world, spanning fifty-four different production countries.
Our Mission
Breaking Through The Lens is a non-profit organization, which advocates for a more equitable film industry by supporting women, non-binary and trans directors. Each year, our Jury selects five feature films in development, which enter our Core Showcase Program and gain the opportunity to showcase their projects to leading executives and financiers. We host marquee events at Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto Film Festivals where we lead seminars and workshops that address concrete steps which can be taken towards achieving gender parity. Our mission is to be a valuable resource for underserved filmmakers, one that is intersectional, multicultural and results driven. There is a shift occurring in the film industry, a moment that must be seized, and it will be deeds not words that bring about this change. Join us as BTTL leads the way.
“
In an industry that has favored
the male voice for so long…
Breaking Through The Lens
is changing that dynamic.
Liza Foreman, Front Page Cannes Market News
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.
STAY INFORMED
Applications for the €10,000 Chopard x BTTL Action Grant are now closed. They will re-open Summer 2024. Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Whether you are a sponsor, filmmaker, industry or volunteer, we would love to hear from you. We are always looking for new collaborators to grow our initiative.