Female Film Club Launches Global Short-Film Fund at Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)

Female Film Club, the burgeoning global network for women and non-binary filmmakers, is unveiling a €10,000 ($11,260) Global Short-Film Fund during the Cannes Film Festival on Monday.

The initiative represents a dedicated international fund designed specifically to support emerging directors regardless of geographical location.

The fund, which will begin accepting submissions on June 16, emerges from strategic partnerships with IMGN.AI, a developer of artificial intelligence tools for filmmakers, and SMASH Media, an IP-matchmaking platform connecting creators with producers and financiers.

According to the organization, the fund will provide a single grant of €10,000 to produce a short film. Eligibility extends to filmmakers who identify as women or non-binary from any country, provided their projects are in development or pre-production phases.

Applications will undergo scrutiny from an international panel of female industry leaders, a process designed to ensure diverse perspectives and balanced regional representation. Winners will be announced during the BFI London Film Festival in October, with successful applicants invited to a London networking event featuring mentors and potential production partners.

“We’ve built a community of over 55 nationalities and thousands of members,” said Liza van der Smissen and Nicole Lieberman, who co-founded the organization. “We know that access to funding is uneven – some regions have multiple grant opportunities, while others have none. This fund levels the playing field.”

“We’re committed to supporting the very best regardless of geography. Whether you’re in Nairobi, New Delhi, or São Paulo, this fund is for you,” the co-founders added.

Since its 2020 inception, Female Film Club has established itself as more than just a funding source. The organization operates as an online members club offering weekly programming focused on mindset development, skill-building and networking. Their curriculum includes Neuro-Linguistic Programming-backed confidence training, goal-setting workshops, and strategic industry navigation, supplemented by masterclasses featuring award-winning female filmmakers.

The organization reports that members have consistently secured project financing, agent representation, and festival premieres after joining their community of over 3,000 filmmakers across more than 55 nationalities.