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 8 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, and the best pitch will win a one-year SMASH Pro membership.
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
A hard drive with her first film.
Taken with her.
SHORT DOCUMENTARY PROJECTS:
*Unofficial visual — for reference only
*Unofficial visual — for reference only
What’s Next
The Live Pitch Event will take place in January 2026 in London.
Want to attend, support, or get involved as a partner?
👉 Contact us here:
A childhood photo with her parents.
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.
Because every point of view metters