Women in Film
A major advocacy organization championing women in entertainment through mentoring, financing, legal aid, and educational programs since 1973
Overview
Women in Film, commonly known as WIF, is one of the most established and influential advocacy organizations dedicated to advancing the careers of women working in all areas of the entertainment industry. Founded in 1973 in Los Angeles, the organization has spent over five decades working to achieve parity in an industry that has historically been dominated by men in leadership, creative, and technical roles. WIF addresses the systemic barriers that women face in entertainment through a comprehensive approach that includes mentorship programs, financing initiatives, legal support, educational programming, research, and public advocacy. The organization serves women at every level of the entertainment industry, from emerging professionals entering the field to established executives navigating the challenges of leadership in a male-dominated environment.
WIF's mentoring programs connect women in the entertainment industry with experienced mentors who can provide career guidance, industry knowledge, and the professional networks that are essential for advancement in a relationship-driven business. The organization runs both formal mentorship circles, which match groups of mentees with experienced leaders for structured multi-month programs, and informal networking events that facilitate organic mentoring relationships. These programs recognize that women in entertainment often lack access to the informal mentorship and sponsorship networks that have traditionally benefited men in the industry, and they provide a deliberate mechanism for building those connections. WIF mentors include some of the most accomplished women in Hollywood, giving mentees access to perspective and guidance at the highest levels of the industry.
How It Works
The organization's financing initiatives include the WIF Finishing Fund, which provides completion funding to women-directed films that are nearing the end of production but need additional resources to reach audiences. This fund addresses a critical gap in the independent film financing landscape, where women-directed projects have historically received a disproportionately small share of production and distribution funding. By providing finishing funds at a stage when projects are demonstrably close to completion, WIF makes relatively modest investments that have outsized impact on whether women's films reach audiences. The Finishing Fund has supported films that have gone on to major festival premieres, theatrical distribution, and awards recognition, demonstrating the high return on investment of this targeted intervention.
WIF's legal aid program provides free or low-cost legal assistance to women in the entertainment industry who face issues including contract disputes, sexual harassment, discrimination, intellectual property questions, and employment law concerns. This program is particularly important given the entertainment industry's documented history of sexual harassment and gender discrimination, which the organization has been addressing long before these issues received widespread public attention. The legal aid program connects women with entertainment attorneys who understand the specific dynamics and power structures of the industry and can provide counsel that accounts for the practical realities of pursuing legal remedies in a small and interconnected professional community. Access to legal representation can be transformative for women facing workplace harassment or unfair contractual terms who might otherwise lack the resources to assert their rights.
Who Uses It
The organization hosts the annual WIF Crystal + Lucy Awards, one of Hollywood's most prestigious events honoring women's achievements in entertainment, along with other galas, screenings, and industry events throughout the year. These events serve multiple functions: they celebrate women's accomplishments, raise the organization's profile, generate funding for its programs, and create networking opportunities that connect women across different sectors of the entertainment industry. WIF also produces research and reports on the status of women in entertainment, contributing to the evidence base that supports advocacy for gender parity. The organization's public advocacy campaigns have addressed issues including the gender gap in directing, producing, and other above-the-line positions, pay equity, and the entertainment industry's response to sexual harassment.
Pricing & Plans
WIF operates on a freemium model with a tiered membership structure that provides varying levels of access to the organization's programs and events. Basic membership is available at accessible price points, while premium membership tiers offer additional benefits including priority access to programs, exclusive events, and enhanced networking opportunities. Some WIF programs and events are open to non-members, while others require membership for participation. The Finishing Fund and legal aid programs are available to qualifying applicants regardless of membership status, ensuring that women who most need these resources are not excluded by financial barriers. Annual membership rates range from introductory levels designed to be accessible for early-career professionals to higher tiers that reflect the giving capacity and access expectations of established industry leaders. Compared to other entertainment industry membership organizations, WIF's membership rates are competitive and the value proposition is strong given the breadth of programming, networking opportunities, and direct services provided.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
WIF's over fifty-year track record gives it unmatched institutional credibility and industry access among women's advocacy organizations in entertainment, with relationships at the highest levels of every major studio, network, agency, and production company. The comprehensive scope of its programming — spanning mentorship, financing, legal aid, education, research, and advocacy — means that women can find support for virtually any career challenge they face within a single organization. The Finishing Fund has a proven track record of supporting films that achieve critical and commercial success, making it one of the most impactful targeted funding programs in independent film. The legal aid program provides access to legal counsel that many women in the industry could not otherwise afford, addressing a critical power imbalance in employment disputes and harassment situations. WIF's events and galas are among the most prestigious in the entertainment industry, providing networking access that can be genuinely career-changing. The organization's research and advocacy work has contributed to measurable improvements in women's representation in entertainment, though much work remains to be done.
What Could Be Better
WIF's membership fee structure, while tiered to accommodate different income levels, may still present a barrier for women at the earliest stages of their entertainment careers who are managing tight budgets and uncertain income. The organization's primary base in Los Angeles means that women in other entertainment markets, including New York, Atlanta, London, and regional production centers, may have more limited access to in-person programming and networking events. The prestige and scale of WIF events can create an environment that feels intimidating to early-career women who may not yet feel established enough to participate comfortably in rooms full of industry leaders. While WIF serves women across all sectors of entertainment, actors specifically may find that programming tends to emphasize above-the-line creative and executive roles, with fewer resources specifically designed for the performer experience. The organization's advocacy approach, which emphasizes engagement with industry power structures, may be seen by some activists as insufficient in confronting the most entrenched forms of gender discrimination. As a large organization with broad programming, the individual attention available to any single member may be limited compared to smaller, more focused organizations.
Our Recommendation
WIF is an essential resource for women at every stage of their entertainment careers, from emerging professionals seeking mentorship and community to established leaders who want to give back and advocate for the next generation. Female actors who are also developing producing, directing, or writing careers will find WIF's comprehensive programming particularly aligned with their multifaceted career paths. Women who are facing legal issues in the workplace, including harassment, discrimination, or unfair contractual terms, should explore WIF's legal aid program as a first step toward understanding their options. Independent filmmakers seeking completion funding for women-directed projects should review the Finishing Fund guidelines and application process. Women who are not yet in a position to pay for premium membership should still engage with WIF's free resources, public events, and advocacy campaigns to begin building their connection to the organization. The networking value alone — being in rooms with accomplished women across every sector of entertainment — makes WIF membership one of the most valuable professional investments a woman in the industry can make.
Pro Tips
Start by visiting the WIF website to review membership options and select a tier that matches your current career stage and budget, keeping in mind that even introductory membership provides access to the organization's core programming and community. Apply for WIF mentoring programs as soon as you are eligible, as these structured mentorship relationships can provide career guidance and industry connections that accelerate your professional development significantly. If you are a filmmaker with a project approaching completion, review the Finishing Fund requirements well in advance of the deadline to ensure your project meets eligibility criteria and that your application materials present the project compellingly. Attend WIF events whenever possible, even if you feel early in your career, as the practice of showing up and participating in industry spaces builds confidence and relationships over time. Follow WIF on social media and subscribe to their communications to stay informed about programming, events, and advocacy campaigns where your participation can make a difference. If you encounter legal issues in your entertainment career, reach out to WIF's legal aid program early rather than waiting until a situation escalates, as early legal counsel often leads to better outcomes.