Welcome To Women Of The Lens Film Festival
The premier platform dedicated to black women in the film and media industries.
News and Commentary
For the first time our annual Festival was delivered online. Its success is such that it’s an element we’re gonna keep. 2020 brought unprecedented challenges to the industry across the board – without exception, and as a result many found alternative means to supplement their products with great results. What is it that ‘they‘ say about necessity and invention?!
As per usual, the calibre of productions submitted were incredible. They further cemented the importance of our platform as a means to showcase work that is overlooked. We can’t thank the filmmakers enough for submitting their work and we look forward to another programme later in 2021.
Click the image below to have a look at last year’s programme.
Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock film, part of his Small Axe series, takes the number one place in the BFI’s Sight & Sound magazine’s top films of 2020.
Read more about what we had to say about the importance of Small Axe.

(image credit: BBC)
It’s difficult to get academic insights into the digital consumption (well, any kind of insight really) of British Black women. Francesca Sobande’s book, ‘The Digital Lives Of Black Women in Britain’ is a good contribution to the now growing research into the ways in which British Black women are harnessing their know-how online. Read a review of Sobande’s title in our blog.


More in Filmfreeway.
Great news!
“…So I’m officially working with NETFLIX and RED on this new British thriller. The script is phenomenal and we have a stellar cast bringing it to life. Will be updating with more info soon…” Filmmaker, Sheila Nortley
(image credit: Sheila Nortley)

Latest Blogs
Lockdown love story to chase away loneliness blues
It’s going to be very interesting to see the types of stories we’ll be seeing that dissect the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns (the number of which depends upon the country you live in). We’ve already started to see documentaries, one in the form of 76 Days,...
The Digital Lives of British Black Women
British Black women are short-changed when it comes to documenting their impact in the media. Dr. Francesca Sobande’s new book begins to highlight this oversight.
Film Festivals Now Even More Important
The year 2020 has left its trace across all sectors of the entertainment industry, independent film included. This year has however brought opportunity and many of the behemoths that dominated film are finding that they're facing competition and a re-drawing of lines...
Women Of The Lens
Experience Collaboration
about Us
Women Of The Lens was created to reveal the complexity, diversity and multiplicities of black women and women of colour. We'll work with productions to change perceptions and practice.