Women of the Sea: Film Fund
The 4th Edition of the Women of the Sea Film Fund is now open with a £10,000 grant for the winning submission celebrating and elevating women of both sides of the lens.
If you had £10,000 to make your next surf film, what story would you tell?
Submissions to the the 4th Edition Women Of The Sea Film Fund presented by Finisterre x London Surf / Film Festival have now closed. The winning pitch will receive a £10,000 grant (or the equivalent rate €, $, or CA$) to bring their story to life and the finished film will have its world premiere on the big screen as part of the line up at London Surf / Film Festival 2026.
Open exclusively to emerging and established women filmmakers resident in UK, Ireland, USA & Canada, the Women Of The Sea Film Fund is about celebrating and elevating women on both sides of the lens. Until 8th March 2026, filmmakers are invited to submit their pitch for a short film of 10-15 minutes in duration, exploring any aspect of surfing or surf culture that brings to the fore untold tales of women making waves.
“The Finisterre x LS/FF Women of the Sea Film Fund has championed extraordinary filmmakers who celebrate the determination, joy and resilience of women in the water, and who challenge the traditional male-dominated surf culture,” says Bronwen Foster-Butler, CMO of Finisterre. “We’re proud to partner with LS/FF for a fourth year, opening doors for female-led storytelling. Finisterre was born from cold-water surfing, so we’re especially eager to see stories from cooler climes or rugged coastlines.”
Across the last three editions, the fund has supported some incredible projects exploring a diverse range of themes from community and identity to age, belonging, multiculturalism and everything in between but a key tenet unites them all – they celebrate the strength and fortitude of women.
“Since 2011 we’ve been privileged to premiere some 300 films, showcasing those creatives who bring fresh perspectives and new lines of storytelling to wavering and surf culture,” says LS/FF Director and award winning filmmaker Demi Taylor. “We’re delighted to be working with our friends at Finisterre to bring this incredible opportunity for women in filmmaking to life and elevate these untold tales on a global platform. A recent study revealed that, at the current rate of progress, it will be decades before gender parity is reached across key creative positions in filmmaking, which is why a fund like this is so important in helping to change the narrative both in the ocean and in the creative industries.”
Thank you to everyone who submitted their pitches. Our PANEL – comprised of surfers and Emmy award winning producers, champions of gender equality, brand leaders, award winning filmmakers and writers – have been reviewing submission and the winner will be notified w/c 20th April.
Salt Dir. Alice Ward was the recipient of the 2024 Women of the Sea Film Fund and winner of LS/FF Best International Short. Salt has gone on to screen at numerous festivals across the globe to great acclaim. Image Salt / J. Tudella
Looking for inspiration?
If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out the work from some of the past winners. Over the last three editions, the funded projects have explored a variety of themes from community and identity to age, multiculturalism and acceptance but they’ve all been united by a key tenet – celebrating the strength and fortitude of women on both sides of the lense.
2025 Women of the Sea Film Fund Winner: SURF, EAT, REPEAT // Dir. Karen Song
In an often divisive world, Karen Song’s pitch for Surf, Eat, Repeat – celebrating the multiculturalism and diversity of NYC surf scene – stood out.
“Coming from Korean immigrants who worked tirelessly in my early years to survive in America – often at the cost of being physically present – food was the tangible connection. It’s impossible to separate the surfer in me from my family roots given the central role of the ocean in both and in my family, food has always been the language of love.” In Surf, Eat, Repeat Karen explores the diversity and richness of NYC surf culture, celebrated through the post surf food rituals and shared connections over steaming bowls. “Through food, I discovered both my family’s roots and the wider world. It continues to be my gateway to other cultures, people and languages. It inspires global travels to learn about the histories and landscapes that create the flavours I love.”
Read more about her project in her interview with SurfGirl Magazine.
Women of the Sea: Award-winning filmmaker Karen Song presents the World Premiere: Surf, Eat, Repeat, in conversation with Bronwen Foster-Butler CMO Finisterre (R) and LS/FF Director Demi Taylor (L)
2024 Women of the Sea Film Fund Winner: SALT // Dir. Alice Ward
Our 2024 grant winner Alice Ward blew us away with her pitch for Salt. This autobiographical exploration of the role that salt and the ocean has played in her life as a filmmaker, surfer and person with Cystic Fibrosis is as powerful and intimate as it is artistic. “I want to demonstrate to individuals grappling with serious illnesses that their conditions need not always dictate their lives, that they possess capabilities beyond their doctor’s prognoses,” she explains.
“I aim to illustrate the positive impact that immersing myself in the ocean has had on my health. I surf and swim with my camera all year around, embracing the harsh Irish winters and cold water. It has made me tough and resilient, both mentally and physically. The ocean has become one of my most important medicines.” These feel like words to live by. Salt premiered at LS/FF 2024 to much acclaim scooping Best International Short.
Read more about her project in her interview with SurfGirl Magazine.
Alice Ward, Winner Women of the Sea Film Fund 2025 Best International Short Film presented by LS/FF Director Demi Taylor Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
2023 Women of the Sea Film Fund Winner: GRANNY GROMMETS // Dir. Leah Rustomjee
The 2023 winning film was ‘Granny Grommets’ Dir. Leah Rustomjee Leah’s pitch was to produce a ‘…humanising and inspiring portrait of ‘The Granny Grommets’ – a group of women aged 50+ who meet every Friday morning to surf and laugh together.’
The resulting film was so much more, a reminder that there’s no age limit on enjoying the ocean, capturing the hearts and minds of everyone at LS/FF 2023 to win the highly coveted Viewer’s Choice Award.
Winner 2023 Women of the Sea Film Fund: Granny Grommets Dir. Leah Rustomjee & Creative Producer Coco Jackie at their world premiere LS/FF 2023 where they won the coveted ‘Viewer’s Choice Award // Image: Adj Brown x LS/FF
What does a pitch look like?
We’d like to know a little bit about you, and previous experience you have in filmmaking and storytelling.
We’d like to know about your idea:
- What and / or who is the film about?
- Why is this story important and why now?
- How are you going to tell the story?
- Why are you the right person to bring this story to life?
If you have any supporting documents – from visual and creative references to full blown pitches that will help bring your ideas to life, we’d love to see them too. There’s no set format for this but please do keep this to 10 pages maximum.
– ENTRIES ARE OPEN UNTIL 8th MARCH 2026 –
Photographer Abbi Hughes at home in the ocean // Image: ALEXANDER BAXTER x Finisterre