Financing / Crowdfunding

Tommy, here's some input for you sir: you'll need a budget completed because you'll be providing a 'Top Sheet' in your packet, and you'll need a shooting schedule completed first, and the budget is done based on a shooting schedule. What's your ROI based on? Be sure your gross revenue - all expenses (all!!) = Net revenue. You mentioned "standard theatrical window" - a lot of distributors do not distribute small indie films as it's costs to much. Plus you will have to deduct the theaters/exhibitors cut, and then deduct the distributors cut. And it's at this place in the money chain that filmmakers often end up with nothing. I've never heard of Development Funds being based on proportion to budget. For example, if you require $10K in dev funds, why would this increase to $30K for the same thing for $10K? You're an indie filmmaker so you'll probably have to absorb this cost yourself. Keep in mind, that an investor probably will not look at your project/packet, someone on their team will vet it, and this includes handing it to someone who knows film production, so all your numbers will be checked. Be ready to defend your budget, i.e. where you got the rate for ____.

Hello Tommy Garcia As above is certainly very good advice and critical steps to being prepared for investment. I agree, development funding should not change drastically, save for reaching for higher stars which might increase that figure.

As for ROI that is entirely project contingent and only a thorough market analysis by a professional will yield that answer.

A Premium Return of 120% is a standard recoupment figure prior to disbursement of net proceeds.

Good luck with your film!

Tommy Garcia What's your target budget? You have a lot of titles on your profile that should answer all the questions you just asked so I'm don't really get where you're coming from. The smaller the budget the bigger you can make your ROI offer because it comes out of the revenue your film makes. I wouldn't go over 150% but at least it gives your investors a added incentive. What kind of cast do you need? It's a horror film so you don't need A-list actors. You need good screams and actors that can do the materials. You need a good script. No lame dialogue. Give your characters an I.Q. over 70 and be original to your approach. Do you need a distribution deal? No. Not if you're a good film maker. If they think it'll sell, they'll make you a deal. If you sign now, you put yourself at their mercy, but if you're gambling on your skill, you better be the best and know your craft. Modern day audiences want to be amazed and entertained. They don't want to make up excuses for poor quality because of your budget.

You can find all the market projections you need on the site The Numbers. Don't worry about market projections. Focus on market goals. Always plan for a theatrical release of at least 1,500 screens (Not theaters) There are 39,000 screens in America alone. Set a goal on how many tickets you want to sell and plan a marketing strategy to make the public aware of your project. Distribution marketing is more of a scam then it is a plan. They have no accountability to how many people they reach and no data on how many people they convince to watch your film. It's not all on them because you have make a great film.

Control the tiller of your ship. You're in a leadership role. Show everyone you can lead with a clear mind and a razor sharp focus to succeed by creating entertainment a lot of people can enjoy.

Philip David Lee The Numbers is a great tip... thank you!!!

Thanks for sharing this, Jack Binder. What's an inward investment?

A $3 billion increase is phenomenal, Jack Binder! What's one of the biggest issues filmmakers make when pitching global projects to investors?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7ROveB3U8w

Thanks for this Jack, intresting webinar

Geoff Harris My pleasure, some helpful tips and information in there!

Torin Ives Check out the multiple webinars, labs, and blog posts here on Stage 32. There are many. I would suggest this one will be very good from Producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins - https://www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-5-part-finance-lab-how-to-find-investors-raise-money-for-your-feature-film

It really depends on how much you are looking to raise. For lower amounts, target local or same region investors. I've witnessed some very successful fundraising based on old school techniques- creating a physical investor package and hand delivering or mailing to accredited investors that are within your circle (believe it or not, they do exist in your world- think your dentist, that business owner down the street, your uncle's best golf buddy, etc.) For larger amounts $250,000+ you can seek out investors that specialize in film, Signal FX can help you find them. However, you will need a "warm introduction" so find mutual connections on LinkedIn is helpful. Most importantly, have a well-crafted financial plan. You don't need 100% of the budget to come from investors. A well-rounded finance plan is about 50% private equity, if you can do more, cool, but there's other options out there and having those conversations with potential investors is smart so they can see that you've done your homework. Good luck and don't give up!

How will you make the money back? If you have that part figured out...the rest will fall in place.

Stephen Folker Great advice! Financiers want to know how much will it cost them and how will they make their money back. (That's what I do, btw) As you insightfully stated, once that's in place the conversation with potential investors becomes real.

I agree completely with Keely Kemp, Stephen Folker and Jack Binder - a sound investment plan that includes a clear path to an investor's ROI is the key. Investors and folks who rep funding are risk averse by nature so there needs to be a level of comfort, if not assurity, for money to commit. A distribution plan and projections are a huge pary of that. Not every film is a financial success but most every film has to look like one on paper at the start for finance folks to engage.

This is incredibly cool and such a boon to films that meet the criteria. Everyone needs to read this and understand what's on the table. Another example of what RB has been talking about - if you're not thinking globally when you approach your productions you're missing the boat.

Thanks for bringing to our attention Amanda Toney! This is an exciting development for film finance and production.

What a brilliant concept!

Will be intersting to see if The Monkey breaks through this weekend.

Absolutely, was just hanging with the post producer the other night coincidentally.

This is fantastic, Jack Binder. Thanks for sharing, my friend. Ireland Screen Ireland has been making a huge push to attract projects and talent in their area as well. They've done a remarkable job.

This is a very good opportunity, specially for European International Co-Productions. I go to share with Filmmakers in Lisbon. I am happy to see my country there! Thank you Jack Binder for sharing!

What an awesome resource. Ireland is popping and its awesome to see the world working together to support projects. As Richard "RB" Botto has been preaching for a while now - you have to be thinking in a global mindset. Thanks, Jack Binder.

Richard "RB" Botto Absolutely, they are striving for market share! @samsokolow @sandraisabelcorreia - Thank you!

Yes they are, Jack Binder. And so are many of the neighboring territories. The competition is fantastic for filmmakers, producers and financiers.

Thanks for sharing, Sandra Isabel Correia! If anyone wants to learn more about Stage 32 Certifictation, get any recommendations on what courses to take or refer any friends who want professional training to work in film or TV production, please email me at anytime at certification@stage32.com.

Excited to hear from you!

Thank you Sam Sokolow

Appreciate you highlighting this, Sandra Isabel Correia. Training with Bloomberg has already begun in many territories and the results have been phenomenal.

My pleasure Richard "RB" Botto this is an amazing achievement! Bloomberg is huge and I wish Stage 32 community knows the value of this big opportunity! Well done my friend!

Thank you, Sandra Isabel Correia

I need to find funding for my movies. My fundraisers haven't worked in the past.

Yea, I've been funding my own documentary for years. Sure isn't easy. Now I'm to the point I need to find the post production finishing funds to make it the professional final movie it should be. It's a challenge.

Yixin Zhang The markets for documentaries are tough ones to really make an impact in. There are 3 major problems with this genre. One is the general public are very cautious about whether they are seeing a factual film about an issue or if information presented is leaning too far to one side or another. This is the fault of MSM (Main Stream Media) that is bought by Leftist elites that tend to cover the truth about serious corruption in the government systems. When the general public loses faith in the news, they will be very apprehensive about documentaries and where they get their information.

The second problem is with distribution. Investors want a favorable Return On Investment and only a handful of feature length documentaries have broken past their budgets to bring in impressive revenue. What is the budget you're aiming for? I have a $1.5M budget for a fictional action/thriller film with a worldwide known talent that is extremely interested in playing the title character. This project falls into many categories of favorable market shares. In 2024, (in US domestic numbers) documentaries came in 9 th place in market shares according to genres at 0.46% and only 3M tickets sold over 81 films. That's 37K tickets per movie. It's not a big streaming attraction either. In US domestic markets, In 2025 so far, again documentaries come in at 9th place with a 0.79% of the market with 642K tickets over 14 films. These are better numbers then the previous year by average, but they are not very exciting numbers to investors hoping to recoup 120% of their initial investment and 50% of net profits.

The 3rd and final factor is the political temperament in specific territories. A lot of governments around the world are fighting against free speech if they feel it is an attack upon their plans to govern their countries. Many documentaries are banned or censored in certain areas of the globe because information in these documentaries do not support their political agendas. This cowardly tactic also hurts distribution.

Documentary filmmakers are some of the most courageous and important creatives in the film industry. Not only do they, for the most part, expose unfair or even evil stories that litter every corner of society, they have to fight against governments that will go to whatever actions they will take if they don't want certain information exposed.

I feel your pain. I know your frustrations but you can never give up in your quest to tell your story! Continue to be authentic, never compromise your integrity and be a champion for the truth. Your goal will be reached and the honor of your soul will remain intact. Find investors that also believe in your voice. They are out there, I just don't know where.

Hi, Mae Cooper. Welcome to the community. Here's a blog that'll help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros: www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

And Stage 32 has Financing blogs I suggest checking out (www.stage32.com/blog/tags/financing-85).

Perfect. Thanks, Mike Boas. It sounds like the difference is less taxes for sole proprietorship (self employment tax) but less protection in legal action.

Production funds should always go into a separate account, set-up as a SPV (special purpose vehicle) company (an LLC is standard) so as not to co-mingle a project's funding with other monies. This protects you from potential legal problems. As always, consult a tax / entertainment attorney.

Yes, if you have partners who all have shares in the film, LLC is the way to go.

It sounded to me like Ben was doing things on his own, with all his own money.

Indeed, however things change and a strong foundation avoids future nightmares.

Thank you, gentlemen.I think an S Corp would be more financially lucrative than an LLC, to dodge self employment tax. I always hear companies establishing themselves as LLCs, but it has never made sense to me when it comes time for tax season.