Women in Film & TV Launches Major Short Film Fund

Women in Film & TV UK (WFTV) has launched a new Short Film Fund aimed at supporting women and non-binary filmmakers and helping the next generation of talent bring original stories to screen.

The initiative will provide two filmmaking teams with production packages worth more than £50,000 each.

Each successful team will receive £25,000 in cash funding, £25,000 worth of kit rental, in-kind post-production support and bespoke mentoring from experienced industry professionals throughout the filmmaking process.

The fund has been established in partnership with Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV, which will provide financial investment alongside access to specialist production equipment and resources.

The initiative is designed to address the continued underrepresentation of women and non-binary people in key creative filmmaking roles.

To qualify, the writer, director or writer/director, producer and director of photography or cinematographer on each project must all be women and/or non-binary people.

The independently financed fund will give filmmakers creative freedom, with no restrictions on genre, theme or subject matter.

Successful teams will also receive tailored mentoring and guidance throughout the development, production and post-production stages, as well as support with festival strategy and beyond.

The launch comes amid ongoing industry discussions around representation, with women and non-binary filmmakers continuing to be underrepresented in many senior creative roles.

Katie Bailiff, CEO of WFTV, said: "The WFTV Short Film Fund represents a significant milestone for our organisation as a film funder, but perhaps more importantly it’s a meaningful investment in ensuring greater representation of women and non-binary people in leading, creative roles in filmmaking. We can't wait to see what stories emerge from The WFTV Short Film Fund."

Jenny Clark, Head of Partnerships & Marketing at Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV, said: "We're proud to support the WFTV Short Film Fund through financial investment and access to our specialist camera, lighting and grip equipment. By combining funding with practical production resources, we can help remove barriers for women and non-binary filmmakers and, importantly, create more opportunities for creativity, collaboration and long-term success across our industry."

Applications for the WFTV Short Film Fund will open on Monday, September 7, 2026.