ADVICE SESSIONS & CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Expert guidance for filmmakers, distributors, and exhibitors – with national impact that sustains gender equity in film.

Who We Are

Reclaim The Frame is the UK’s award-winning charity campaigning for gender justice in cinema. Born out of the Birds’ Eye View Women’s Film Festival on International Women’s Day 2005, RTF has evolved into a year-round, UK-wide campaign championing authorship, lived experience, and diverse perspectives in film.

For over 20 years, we have supported filmmakers, producers, distributors, exhibitors, and festivals to build sustainable careers, reach new audiences, and influence the wider sector. In 2025 alone, we supported 18 new releases, contributing to over 1.3 million admissions, with 33% of attendees visiting an independent cinema for the first time. We also engaged over 1,000 filmmakers through panels, mentoring, workshops, and advice sessions.

As Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay says:
“Reclaim The Frame is a global movement to centre the voices of folks on the margins.”

How We Help

We translate decades of award-winning expertise into actionable strategies, helping clients expand audiences, build measurable campaigns, and strengthen sustainability while embedding equity and inclusion.

We work with filmmakers, producers, distributors, cinemas, and festivals to:

Expand and diversify audiences
Build measurable, impactful campaigns
Strengthen resilience and sustainability across the value chain
Reduce operational and reputational risks related to accessibility, inclusion, and audience engagement

Our Services

Filmmakers & Producers

Project development guidance
Feedback on pitch decks, trailers, and rough cuts
Accessible materials guidance
Festival strategy (UK & international)
Distribution, exhibition, marketing, and awards strategy

Distributors & Sales Agents

Marketing and outreach strategy
Targeted audience engagement
Impact-driven campaigns
Accessible release planning
Strategic review to identify gaps, blind spots, and risks

Cinemas & Festivals

Programming and festival curation
Audience engagement, diversification, and development
Accessible and inclusive screening practices
Fundraising, partnerships, and development guidance
Embedding EDI across programming and operations
Audience research and data analysis

How We Deliver

Our services are flexible and tailored to your needs:

One-off advisory sessions – 60 minutes with follow-up notes and clear recommendations
Ongoing consultancy – Includes a practical action plan, milestones, and sustained support
Tailored mentoring – Personal or professional development, or guidance for a specific project or organisation
Strategic reviews – High-level assessment of audience, inclusion, accessibility, and communications to maximise impact and reduce risk

Sessions are delivered via Zoom, with in-person sessions available where appropriate.

Meet Our Team

Melanie Iredale (Director)
Values-driven leader with 20 years’ experience combining programming, audience engagement and consultancy in the screen sector. Formerly Deputy Director of Sheffield DocFest, Melanie has advised on multiple film projects, supported filmmakers through mentoring and pitch feedback, and delivered impactful audience and exhibition strategies for UK releases. She is a regular speaker and moderator, a BAFTA member, and has served on international festival juries including Berlinale’s Teddy Awards.

Flo Cartwright (Head of Campaigns)
Film marketing and events specialist with 10 years’ experience across the screen industries, specialising in marketing, audience engagement, and awards campaigns. Flo leads release campaigns for Reclaim The Frame and has advised filmmakers, distributors, and producers on strategy, outreach, and audience development. She has led communications at SOAS University of London, One World Media, and the British Independent Film Awards.

Additional expert advisors can be engaged to meet your project’s specific needs.

Impact at a Glance (2025)

18 new releases by women and gender-expansive filmmakers supported
1.3 million admissions contributed across the UK
33% of event attendees were first-time cinema-goers; 96% reported feeling included
Engaged Deaf, disabled, global majority, LGBTQIA+, and underserved communities
Supported over 1,000 filmmakers via panels, mentoring, workshops, and advice

Fees

Freelancers / sole traders: £125 + VAT per hour
Micro businesses (<10 employees / <£2m turnover): £175 + VAT per hour
SMEs (<50 employees / <£10m turnover): £250 + VAT per hour
Larger companies: £350 + VAT per hour
Charity and ODA country discount: 15% off all rates

All fees are paid in advance by invoice. As a registered charity, all income supports Reclaim The Frame’s work and mission for gender justice in all film spaces.

Our services are subsidised and offered at a reduced cost to freelancers and small businesses, ensuring this expertise remains accessible while maximising the reach and impact of your work.

All consultations are confidential, and non-disclosure agreements can be arranged if required.

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