2026 BTTL Action Grant

This $10,000 Action Grant is open to Directors worldwide who experiences marginalization due to their gender. We have expanded our program to include women and LGBTQIA+ directors who have a feature film or documentary in late-stage development. (Note: In the case of documentaries, we accept projects that have begun production.)

Applicants must demonstrate how the grant funding will allow you to advance in a critical area of development – be it casting, location scouting, hiring crew, or shooting a scene – there are no limits, as long as the action taken moves the needle on your project. This is about finding films with strong artistic merit and a bold original vision, ready to go into production before the end of 2026.

NEW OFFERING: In this next cycle, one of the finalists will receive the SIMBELLE IMPACT AWARD –an additional $10,000 unrestricted grant for the filmmaker – to be decided by Jury Member Lauren Melinda, founder of Simbelle Productions.

All applicants will receive FREE access to our 2025 Workshop Recordings and the option to join our new BTTL Membership Portal (launching Dec 2025), which will offer peer-to-peer networking, training workshops, industry roundtables, and invitations to our private cocktail party at Sundance and Cannes. The Action Grant finalists will become apart of our 2026 Cohort, receiving additional 1:1 coaching, curated financier meetings, and travel support to attend at the Cannes Film Festival.