The documentary “Les Hijabeuses” has won the 2025 Action Grant from Breaking Through The Lens, a nonprofit that focuses on using financing to address gender inequity in the film industry.
The UK film, which is the second winner since the grant program began, receives 10,000 Euros. “Les Hijabeuses” chronicles a group of Muslim women soccer players in Paris advocating for their place in the game in the face of discrimination. Erin Sayder and Rita Baghdadi are the film’s co-directors and producers, and Camilla Hall serves as executive producer.
“I am over the moon to have received this grant from such a trailblazing and important organisation. It has given me an enormous boost of energy, inspiration and confidence. This support will be crucial in our telling of this captivating and eye-opening story, at a time that feels particularly relevant,” Sayder said in a statement.
“The funding will allow our production team the opportunity to film in Paris as the collective gets updates on their EU court case, and continues their next football season. I am incredibly grateful for the support of Breaking Through the Lens,” she added.
The Action Grant provides funding to filmmakers working on a documentary or feature film that is ready for production and needs funds to progress development. Anyone who may be marginalized based on gender, such as women, trans and nonbinary people, can apply.
This year, films from 54 countries were submitted for consideration, and BTTL will place the five finalists in a 2025 Cohort that has access to mentorship and the chance to pitch at Cannes Film Festival. The other finalists are “May You Outlive Us” by Isabelle Mecattaf, “The Dead Zone” by Emily Thomas, “Lux Noctis” by Damiana Acuña and “In Case of Apocalypse” by Olivia Peace.
Previous 2023 Action Grant recipient, the film “Brides,” world premieres at Sundance on Friday. “We are delighted to celebrate the premiere of ‘Brides’ at Sundance with our allies at Breaking Through The Lens. Winning the inaugural Action Grant was transformative for our film, and the BTTL team supported us and cheered us on throughout the entire filmmaking process, including stepping in to source private finance when there was an unexpected funding gap,” “Brides” producer Nicky Bentham said in a statement.
