Supporting sapphic film from project to audience
SapphicIFF supports filmmakers creating sapphic and LGBTQ+ stories with specialised, practical support across film development, industry knowledge, distribution and financing.
Drawing on real-world experience within the independent film industry, we help filmmakers understand their options, make informed decisions and build more sustainable routes for their films.
Three ways SapphicIFF supports filmmakers
INFORMATION
Sharing knowledge, experience and insight
Independent film can be difficult to navigate, particularly when information about distribution, rights, festivals and financing is often fragmented or difficult to access.
SapphicIFF shares practical, transparent information designed to help filmmakers better understand how the industry works and make decisions that are right for their film.
Articles & Resources
Practical insight into festivals, distribution, marketing, monetisation and the business of independent film.
Consultancy
Specialised one-to-one support based around your film, circumstances and goals.
Events
Accessible group sessions, conversations and industry events exploring the questions filmmakers are actually facing.
FILM
Supporting films and filmmakers
Practical support for sapphic projects at different stages of their journey, from projects looking for guidance and industry connections through to completed films looking for audiences.
Film Bank
Helping films reach programmers, exhibitors and new audiences to license and screen independent sapphic films otherwise unavailable to screen.
Project Support
Tailored support for filmmakers navigating development, festivals, marketing, distribution and the wider independent film landscape.
FINANCING
Connecting projects with opportunities
SapphicIFF supports selected projects seeking finance and investment, helping filmmakers understand their options and connecting suitable projects with potential supporters and investors.
Rather than presenting financing as the answer to every challenge, we look at the wider commercial potential of a project, its audience and the route from production through to distribution.
Currently supported: Love Me Lex
I adored learning from Naomi, who was thorough and deeply compassionate in her advice. She made sure that I had a solid understanding of the nuances and common pitfalls to watch out for in navigating distribution offers and options, as a new filmmaker. I felt well-cared for, with all of my questions and concerns addressed clearly and with transparency that I’d love from every ally and partnership in this industry, and my admiration for Naomi increased during and after our meeting together, because I saw up-close how hard she advocates for emerging queer and female filmmakers.
Why SapphicIFF?
Independent film shouldn't require guesswork
There is a huge amount of talent creating sapphic and LGBTQ+ stories, but making a great film and successfully navigating the film industry are two very different things.
Filmmakers are expected to understand festivals, contracts, rights, distribution, marketing, audiences, financing and monetisation, often while receiving conflicting advice from people with very different commercial interests.
SapphicIFF exists to make some of that easier.
We provide specialised, transparent and practical insight grounded in real experience of acquiring, exhibiting, marketing and distributing sapphic film. We do not believe there is one route that works for every project. Our role is to help filmmakers understand the options, ask better questions and make informed choices about what works for them.
This is where I think SapphicIFF's current identity becomes much stronger. You are not positioning yourself as another generic "film consultancy". You are essentially addressing the knowledge imbalance between filmmakers and the industry around them.
Recent articles and resources
Consultancy
Sometimes you just need to talk it through
There is rarely one correct route through independent film. What makes sense for one project may be completely wrong for another.
SapphicIFF offers one-to-one consultancy for filmmakers who want specialised advice based on their actual film, goals and circumstances.
Sessions can cover film festival strategy, distribution, financing, film branding and marketing, or a combination of these where the issues overlap.
Events
Learn alongside other filmmakers
Not every question needs a consultancy session. SapphicIFF also runs affordable group sessions and industry events where filmmakers can learn, ask questions and hear from others navigating similar challenges.
Film Financing | Distribution | Film Festival Strategy | Film Brand & Marketing
Putting knowledge into practice
SapphicIFF works across the independent film ecosystem, supporting individual filmmakers while developing projects designed to improve how sapphic films are funded, discovered, distributed and understood.
Film Bank
Creating new routes between independent films, programmers, venues and audiences.
Sapphic Film Distribution Survey
Building a clearer picture of what happens to sapphic films after production.
Love Me Lex
The first project funded and supported by SapphicIFF; an Australian web series released in 2023.
Built from experience
Naomi Bennett, an independent film specialist, entrepreneur and founder of Lesflicks.
Her work across acquisition, exhibition, distribution, programming and audience development has provided first-hand insight into both the opportunities and challenges facing sapphic filmmakers. SapphicIFF was created to make more of that knowledge accessible to the filmmakers who need it.
Part of a growing sapphic film ecosystem
SapphicIFF works alongside independent organisations addressing different parts of the journey from film to audience.
Recently Supported Projects
Not sure what your film needs next?
Whether you are developing a project, navigating the festival circuit, considering a distribution offer, trying to understand your audience or exploring finance, SapphicIFF can help you understand the options available.
