Female Documentary Filmmakers Get Boost With Tech & Art Gap Fund Launch in London (EXCLUSIVE)

The Female Filmmakers in Tech & Art Gap Fund, a new initiative supporting women documentary filmmakers, is set to launch during the BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 11.

Spearheaded by the Female Film Club, female-led film production company UNLEYEK, and tech boutique 19.Studio, the fund aims to provide £8,000 ($10,460) in gap funding for feature-length documentaries exploring the impact of technology on the art world.

The initiative comes at a time when gender disparity in the industry remains a concern. A recent study by the the European Audiovisual Observatory found that between 2019 and 2023, women professionals’ share in the production of European films, which includes U.K. films, was just 24%. 

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“As a female indie producer, I see firsthand how tough it is for independent films to thrive. In 2023, the total film and high-end TV production spend in the U.K. reached £3.11 billion ($4.06 billion]. But only around 10-15% of that goes to indie productions, while big studios control 80% of the spending. This leaves smaller projects fighting for scraps. With our fund, we want to help level the playing field by providing support and resources to female filmmakers, ensuring their voices aren’t drowned out by big-budget productions,” said Martina Russo, CEO and producer of UNLEYEK.

The fund is open to documentary filmmakers who are members of the Female Film Club, including those in the free Networking Space. Projects must focus on the intersection of technology and art.

Liza van der Smissen, co-founder of Female Film Club, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this fund for documentary filmmakers – a medium where many women begin. We know it will make an impact, not only for the recipients but as a message to women everywhere: we see you, and your work matters.”

The fund builds on the Female Film Club’s four pillars: skill, mindset, network, and technology. Nicole Lieberman, co-founder of the Female Film Club, said: “By partnering with the Tech & Art Gap Fund, we’re empowering women to harness these advancements and bring their creative visions to life.”

The fund will open for applications on Nov. 11 via Film Freeway.