The future of film has a powerful champion in New York. Through Her Lens: The Tribeca CHANEL Women’s Filmmaker Program just returned for its eleventh edition, bringing three days of workshops, mentorship, and celebration to New York City from September 22 to 24, all dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and non-binary filmmakers.
Founded in 2015 by Tribeca and CHANEL, this artist development initiative gives U.S.-based emerging filmmakers funding, creative support, and hands-on development. This year’s participants took part in intimate mentor-led sessions spanning script development, directing, music composition, and costume design, before delivering a live pitch to a distinguished jury. One team earns full financing to produce their short film with support from Tribeca Studios, while four finalists receive grant support to keep creating.
The 2026 edition brought together an extraordinary community of talent: the jury featured Meg Ryan, Halle Berry, Regina King, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, and Ella Rubin, with mentors including Celine Song, Aleshea Harris, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and Fala Chen, and conversation leaders such as H.E.R., Laura Karpman, Patty Jenkins, and Riva Marker.
Eleven years in, Through Her Lens keeps proving that when women and non-binary artists get the resources and the room, great cinema follows. New York is proud to be the stage where the next generation of storytellers finds its voice.
Photo: Greg2600, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
