Shaping the Future of Lesbian and Sapphic Film
Lesbian and sapphic films continue to face structural challenges across production, distribution, visibility and monetisation. While audiences exist and filmmakers are creating powerful work, too many films remain difficult to find, short lived, or financially unsustainable.
In 2026, SapphicIFF is leading a major research initiative designed to better understand these challenges and help drive meaningful, long term improvement across the sector.
This work brings together audiences, filmmakers, distributors and streaming platforms to create a clearer picture of how lesbian and sapphic films are made, discovered, distributed and supported. The findings will be published in a public report in the latter half of 2026, with the aim of informing better practice, stronger models and improved outcomes for lesbian and sapphic cinema worldwide.
The Ultimate Lesbian/WLW Film Survey 2026
Audience and Filmmaker Research
The Ultimate Lesbian/WLW Film Survey 2026 is a global survey for audiences and filmmakers who watch, create or care about lesbian and sapphic films.
This survey explores:
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What kinds of lesbian and sapphic films people watch
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Preferences around short films, feature films and other formats
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Where films are discovered and accessed
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Barriers to finding and watching films
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Awareness of why some films are not widely available
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Pricing, value and sustainability
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Future models for improving access and success
The survey is designed to educate through questioning, helping participants reflect on the realities of lesbian and sapphic film distribution while sharing their own experiences and priorities.
Responses will be analysed in aggregate and used to highlight patterns, gaps and opportunities across the audience and creator landscape.
Survey deadline: 30 November 2026
Lesbian and Sapphic Film Distribution Survey 2026
Industry Research for Distributors and Platforms
The Lesbian and Sapphic Film Distribution Survey 2026 focuses on distributors and streaming platforms working with or open to lesbian and sapphic films.
This survey gathers insight on:
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Organisational focus and catalogue makeup
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Representation within LGBTQ+ content
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Submission volumes and acquisition practices
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Deal terms, exclusivity and agreement lengths
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Revenue models, royalties and reporting
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Platform reach, visibility and access
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Barriers to distributing lesbian and sapphic films
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Outlook for the future
The aim is to improve transparency, identify best practice, and better understand where current models succeed and where they fall short. Findings will be used alongside filmmaker case studies to build a more accurate picture of the distribution landscape.
Survey deadline: 28 February 2027
The 2026 Report
Insights, Evidence and Practical Change
The findings from both surveys will be combined with qualitative case studies to produce a comprehensive 2026 report on lesbian and sapphic film.
The report will explore:
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How lesbian and sapphic films move through the industry
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Where access breaks down
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How money flows, and where it does not
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What audiences want but cannot easily find
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What filmmakers experience in practice
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What changes could improve sustainability and success
The report will be publicly released in the latter half of 2026 and shared with festivals, filmmakers, platforms, funders and cultural organisations.
Read the full press release here.
Lesbian and Sapphic Cinema, Film Club & Film Festival Survey 2026
Lesbian and sapphic films continue to face challenges reaching audiences beyond film festivals and streaming platforms.
This survey is part of SapphicIFF's wider 2026 research into how lesbian and sapphic films are made, distributed, discovered and watched.
We want to understand the role cinemas, film clubs, film festivals, community screenings and other exhibitors play in bringing these films to audiences, what barriers programmers face, and what could make it easier to screen more lesbian and sapphic content.
Responses will be analysed in aggregate as part of SapphicIFF's 2026 research.
Survey deadline: 28 February 2027
Partner With Us
SapphicIFF is inviting LGBTQ+ film festivals, organisations with lesbian and bisexual audiences, and LGBTQ+ founders or organisers to support this research by helping disseminate The Ultimate Lesbian/WLW Film Survey 2026.
Supporter organisations will be acknowledged in the final report as contributors to this sector wide research effort.
Deadline to become a supporter organisation: 31 January 2027
Why This Matters
This research is about more than data. It is about listening, understanding and using evidence to support better systems for lesbian and sapphic storytelling.
By bringing together voices from across audiences, creators and industry, SapphicIFF aims to help build a future where lesbian and sapphic films are easier to find, fairly supported, and able to thrive beyond festivals.
Promotional images to help share the survey
