Nikola Vasakova, Photographed by Brian Kanagaki

Nikola Vasakova never expected to build a global network for women in film. She studied magazine publishing at university, envisioning a future in print media before the industry started to change. “My dream was to have this sort of independent culture magazine,” she says. But as print media declined around 2009, career opportunities became less certain, and she took a job at the Old Blue Last, a pub owned by Vice. It was a chance occurrence that ultimately led to her landing an internship at Vice just as they were launching their video platform.

“I actually came to film more or less by accident or sort of a happenstance,” she says. That moment steered her toward digital media, where she saw how video could engage audiences in new ways. Drawn to this evolving form of storytelling, she soon found herself on an entirely new career path.

BTS from GiF Productions music video shoot for artist Nilufer Yanya

Finding Her People

As Nikola worked in production, she began to notice another shift. “Around 2016, I started noticing that there were a lot more women working in the industry.” But the film world was still deeply male-dominated, and finding the right people to collaborate with wasn’t always easy.

While working on a project, Nikola heard that a director needed a set designer. Without thinking twice, she suggested someone she knew. “I just happen to know this girl, Lucy,” she said, making the introduction. It was a simple connection, but it planted a seed—soon, people weren’t just asking for recommendations, they were expecting them. “I unknowingly became the person people turned to and asked, 'Hey, do you know any female [crew members]’?'" That’s when she realized there had to be a better way to connect women in film. And so, Girls in Film was born.

Beyond the First Break

The film industry has come a long way, with more women stepping into key creative roles. But advancing beyond the first opportunity remains an uphill battle.

“You are brought in because essentially, I think the diversity and equality measures have allowed you to come in. But you have to keep proving yourself. Because it’s almost like, well, we’ve given you a chance, now you have to really earn it.”

And even getting that first chance isn’t always straightforward. Once inside, many filmmakers face another challenge: securing funding to move forward. Many feel pressured to shape their stories to fit funders' expectations. "Why should I put everything I have that’s been against me my whole life out on a table for you to consider me a valuable filmmaker?" Nikola asks.

For many, DIY filmmaking is the only way forward. “When you’re starting out, it’s easy—you can create a film on your phone,” Nikola says. But to sustain a career, filmmakers eventually have to tap into traditional funding sources. “In Britain, you want to apply for BFI funding or Channel Four or BBC or whatever’s going, because that’s where you will find your money.”

And success in film isn’t just about talent. It’s about having access to the right people. That’s where Girls in Film comes in. “What is really important for me is creating events where the industry and the filmmakers can meet.” By fostering these connections, GiF helps open doors that might otherwise stay closed, giving emerging filmmakers a real chance to break through.

What’s Next & How to Get Involved

What began in London as a small initiative has expanded into a global network, with Girls in Film now active in New York, Johannesburg, Prague, and Athens, along with the launch of an Arab Girls in Film initiative.

For filmmakers looking to connect, Girls in Film offers multiple ways to get involved. Most of the community’s activity happens on Instagram, where all updates, events, and announcements are shared. "And we have a Facebook group called GiF Exchange, which is a great resource for networking and collaboration," Nikola says.

But, nothing compares to making connections face-to-face. “The real magic happens when you show up—whether that’s in Prague, London, or anywhere in the world.”

Girls in Film exists to create spaces where filmmakers can connect, collaborate, and grow together. After all, the stories we tell matter, but so do the people who help us tell them.