DISPLACED WOMEN PITCH
*A pitch development program for displaced women working in film, 2025
An open call program for displaced and migrant women in film — exploring identity, storytelling, and belonging through mentorship, collaboration, and pitch development of their documentary and fiction shorts.
Launched in 2025, lab: is an initiative created in response to the personal and collective challenges faced by displaced women in the film industry. It offers space, structure, and support for those who’ve had to start over — far from home, and often far from industry networks.
First boots donated to her in the UK. Three sizes bigger.
This edition of the lab: brings together 7 selected projects, 10 international mentors, and one shared mission:
To help underrepresented storytellers reclaim their place in the industry.
– 2 months of online group and individual sessions with mentors
– Project development and pitch preparation
After lab: , they’ll leave with:
– A professional pitch deck
– A confident verbal pitch
– A deeper understanding of your story strengthens and the industry
– Connections and visibility for your next steps
Selection & Structure
Her Ursula hoodie. She wore it through the occupation. A refugee centre volunteer said it was cool.
🌟 Alongside mentorship, all participants will receive a one-year MUBI subscription.
Meet Mentors
We are honoured to collaborate with outstanding industry professionals who guide our participants:
Her camera.
From over 100 submissions, 8 powerful projects were selected — 4 fiction and 4 documentary — all led by women from displaced and migrant backgrounds.
Selected Projects
SHORT DOCUMENTARY PROJECTS:
*Unofficial visual — for reference only
A hard drive with her first film.
Taken with her.
What’s Next
The Live Pitch Event will take place in February 2026 in London.
A childhood photo with her parents.
%20(1)_edited.png)
with support from the BFI Inclusion Team
The selected project will receive a package of awards and in-kind support, delivered in partnership with:
— Canon
— BFI Inclusion Team
— Counterpoints Productions
— My SMASH Media
Want to attend, support, or get involved as a partner?
👉 Contact us here:
And yes — we’re already preparing for the next open call. It will be listed on our .
Follow us on Instagram for updates.
Meet the Founder & Lead
“As a displaced filmmaker, I once needed this support myself.”
was founded by Marharyta Sheremet, a displaced filmmaker from Ukraine who knows firsthand the barriers of starting over in a new country and industry.
As both an artist and a refugee, she created this initiative to offer a clear, structured, and human entry point into professional filmmaking for those whose voices are often left outside the room:
Glitter ballerina. A gift from her mother’s English friends, kept since she was a child.
With gratitude to our partners and supporters
%20(1)_edited.png)
with support from the BFI Inclusion Team