Supporting sapphic filmmakers
Supporting sapphic filmmakers with funding, strategy and industry insight
SapphicIFF exists to support filmmakers telling lesbian, bisexual and sapphic stories by combining strategic guidance, industry knowledge and selective financial support. We help filmmakers make informed decisions around funding, festivals, marketing and distribution so their projects have the strongest possible chance of success.
Whether you are developing a new project, fundraising, navigating film festivals or planning distribution, SapphicIFF offers practical support grounded in real-world experience.
Supercharge your sapphic story today
Naomi is ready and waiting to help you!
Submit a project to our sapphic stories slate
if you have a sapphic project that you're seeking funding to create, add it to our confidential sapphic slate
REGISTER AS A POTENTIAL INVESTOR
we can help match you with pre-vetted sapphic projects that are seeking funding or investment
TALK TO THE TEAM ABOUT A POTENTIAL PROJECT
if you'd like to find out more about SapphicIFF prior to registering or booking a session, get in touch for an introductory zoom chat
“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.”
What We Do
SapphicIFF supports sapphic filmmakers at multiple stages of their journey. Our work spans advice, education, strategic support and selective project investment.
We focus on clarity over hype, strategy over guesswork, and long-term sustainability over short-term wins.
We support filmmakers through:
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Strategic advice on funding, budgeting and pitch preparation
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Film festival strategy and submission planning
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Marketing and audience development for niche films
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Distribution strategy, deal evaluation and release planning
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Selective project support and investment where appropriate
Why SapphicIFF Exists
Too many sapphic films struggle not because of a lack of talent, but because filmmakers are expected to navigate complex industry systems without clear guidance.
SapphicIFF exists to close that gap.
We believe filmmakers deserve access to honest information, realistic expectations and transparent advice, alongside opportunities for funding and amplification.
membership database
Investors and creators join SapphicIFF and gain access to networks and databases
project Financing
SapphicIFF connects investors to projects they're interested in, ensuring that both parties are satisfied with the terms of investment
Production Support
SapphicIFF will work with and support creators to create a successful project
Distribution Strategy
SapphicIFF supports through to release. Investment includes support through to distribution
Who We Work With
We primarily support filmmakers creating sapphic, lesbian and bisexual stories, particularly those working on short films, web series and independent features.
Our guidance is especially valuable for filmmakers who are:
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Working with low or no budgets
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Releasing their first or second project
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Unsure how to approach festivals or distribution
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Looking to fundraise more strategically
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Thinking about long-term career impact
Current Funds
Sapphic Funds that are currently open
Supported Projects
Projects that SapphicIFF has worked with or supported
The team behind SapphicIFF
SapphicIFF is an ambitious collaboration between Lesflicks and Infinite Pies Productions to bring together investors and filmmakers.
SapphicIFF aims to help get more sapphic stories made by helping investors identify and become involved with up and coming and ongoing film and web-series projects. SapphicIFF envisions a quiet revolution in the financing of minority-led projects. Rather than content creators relying on self-financing, crowdfunding, or uncertain direct private investment to make shoestring films, we want to establish a mechanism to bring investment to the space in a more structured, reliable way that enables larger budget projects.
Utilising Lesflicks’s growing networks and film slate, coupled with its ability to provide letters of intent and a guaranteed distribution outlet, SapphicIFF wants to increase the amount of investment available for sapphic stories to bring them to the US$250,000-US$2 million budget range for film and the US$20,000-US$100,000 budget range for web-series.
- Project Management and problem solving
- Events (from no budget to big budget)
- LGBTQ+ audiences with a specialism in sapphic
- Website Design and Graphic Design
- Strategy and Marketing
- Automation and Processes
- Sapphic film budgets and performance
- Communities and engagement
- Sapphic stories
