Dating app Bumble launch £100k female film fund

It’s no secret that the movie-making business continues to be male-dominated and full of barriers for female filmmakers hoping to get their foot on the ladder. Any scheme that helps women find a path towards filmmaking is welcome, and a new fund from dating app Bumble looks to be an unlikely source of financing for women creators.

The female-fronted app, who’s USP is that only women are permitted to initiate a chat with their prospective matches, are launching a female film fund, reports Deadline, that will see five emerging female filmmakers based in the UK each receive £20,000 to make a short film.

Titled The Female Film Force, the project is open to UK and Ireland-based filmmakers, with the only stipulation being that the proposed projects embodies the values of "female empowerment, equality and kindness," and that projects be "created by an all-female creative team of writers, directors and producers." Among the judges awarding the fund are actors Ophelia Lovibond (Guardians of the Galaxy, W1A) and Georgine Campbell (Black Mirror), and broadcaster Edith Bowman.

Excited to be part of The Female Film Force, supporting female Directors, Writers and Producers in UK & Ireland. @bumble_uk are awarding 5 grants of £20k to make a short film. Apply via the app (it’s free), simply tell us about your film idea. #FemaleFilmForce @femalefilmfource pic.twitter.com/dYMJLfIc73

— edith bowman (@edibow) May 1, 2018

The fund has been launched, says Bumble, in response to the paucity of women recognised for their filmmaking during the recent awards season. "The imbalance we saw over this year's awards season at the Oscars, Golden Globes and the BAFTAs was truly shocking," said Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd. "Women are incredible storytellers and creators, and we want to see more of their stories told. That's why we're launching The Female Film Force to empower and support five female filmmakers in the UK to make an actual change in this industry. We know how many talented women there are out there -- and we want to see them represented accurately."

To apply, simply download the Bumble app (in the Bizz, BFF or Dating section), find The Female Film Force page, match with that, and then you will then receive a message in the app that links to the fund's application form. Applications close on 23 May.