Producing

Here’s a story about a new kid on the block; Gabby Kono-Abdy‘s Little Fishy Films, looks to adapt popular books into films.

“Kono-Abdy will certainly need plenty of resilience and creative thinking in an industry that has become much less interested in independent films. But she believes the retreat...

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Learn to access the often untouched 250 billion dollars in US Donor Advised Funds that could be used to fund your next film.

In today's rapidly evolving film industry, securing traditional funding for your project can be increasingly challenging, particularly as risk-averse investors shy away from di...

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Learn to access the often untouched 250 billion dollars in US Donor Advised Funds that could be used to fund your next film.

In today's rapidly evolving film industry, securing traditional funding for your project can be increasingly challenging, particularly as risk-averse investors shy away from direct investments in creative projects. However, with over $250 billion sitting in U.S. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and private family foundations, there’s an untapped potential for you to explore alternative fundraising strategies. These funds, often overlooked, present a unique opportunity to finance socially impactful films while offering investors tax-advantaged pathways to support causes they believe in. Understanding how to access and utilize these philanthropic resources is not only timely but crucial for producers looking to de-risk their projects and attract additional investments.

Despite the growing availability of philanthropic funds, many producers struggle to tap into these resources due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of how DAFs and private foundations operate. Common missteps include not knowing the right questions to ask, failing to offer enticing benefits to potential funders, and misunderstanding the strategic use of these funds to de-risk projects. Additionally, producers often overlook geographic and media-type limitations that could impact their ability to secure funding. This webinar aims to equip producers with the knowledge and tools to avoid these pitfalls and successfully leverage philanthropic funding for their productions.

This webinar is led by Rick Davis, Managing Partner of LOHAS, which provides solutions for impact investing and fundraising. He is a seasoned expert in entertainment finance with a deep understanding of alternative fundraising strategies. With extensive experience in working with producers to secure non-traditional funding sources, Rick has successfully guided numerous on how to tap into philanthropic resources like DAFs and private foundations. His expertise in navigating the complexities of these funding avenues makes him the perfect instructor for this webinar.

Email edu@stage32.com with any questions!

Sam Sokolow

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3 people like this
2 months ago

This is a terrific blog and much needed advice for filmmakers. The desire/need for publicity can often lead to knee-jerk overspending if you don't have a plan and someone who knows how to manage the p...

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Maurice Vaughan

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2 people like this
- Ashley Renee Smith
- Geoff Hall
2 months ago

You're welcome, Sam Sokolow. You're right about the blog. Stage 32 blogs are full of incredible advice, insight, and resources! I love reading them daily!

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Sydney Summers

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1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Looking forward to the webinar beginning shortly !

Jack Binder

Wonderful opportunity to learn about this important film finance topic! Thanks for sharing. Look forward to viewing!

Eugene Mandelcorn

Has anyone who attended this presentation delt with a DAF or Foundation.

Thank you to everyone who attended the webinar today!!

The "result" of any webinar is what is important. I am interested in learning where each attendee takes this knowledge and how they use it help fund their projects.

4
4 people like this
2 months ago

Now that's just incredible! Congratulations @Stage32 Writers and Team Stage 32!

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2 people like this
- Benjamin Elliott
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

What an awesome and impressive list of Success Stories, Double Recommends and OWA's. Great work everyone!!

Dan MaxXx

So basically American corporations dont want to pay American wages to crew, below the line/behind camera. Farming production overseas.

Brad Pitt, Robert Downey Jr can make $50-$100M per movie but the bosses wont pay grips & gaffers above minimum wages

Jason Mirch

2 months ago

Because no one goes to see movies for the grips and gaffers.

Willem Elzenga

Jason Mirch they do if you put $50 mln per movie in promotional costs for grips & gaffers.

E Langley

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2 people like this
- Kerry Kennard
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

There would be no grossly overpaid actors on screens large and small if not for the overworked and underpaid army of craftspeople laboring to put them there.

The stated attitude was the core reason the Unions went on strike.

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2 people like this
- Amanda Toney
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Thanks for posting Amanda Toney! Very good to see this. Italy has been slowly making its way back to the fore in international production. Hopefully they complete and implement their film tax credit p...

I am not to happy about it, but content distributors have more power, as their game involves less risk taking. This gives them simply more access to money and therefore a better bargaining position du...

Kerry Kennard

I think I agree with William, and from this part of the article- where DIRECTV chose to deny … access.

Content always seems easier than promoting, in my world of making music. (Seems easier). ;-)

Defini...

Im hedging Disney empire implodes into a firesale and sells to a streamer tech company like Netflix or Meta by end of year.

Evelyn Von Warnitz

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1 person likes this
- Kerry Kennard
2 months ago

The future belongs to new global minds and creative heads of great production companys from all over the globe.

Seems like the stakes are equally high this time around. Survival.

Brilliant!

5
5 people like this
2 months ago

Love to see how the international production community is expanding and making waves globally! It’s fantastic that Stage 32 Certification is playing a role in supporting such a vibrant community, espe...

David P Perlmutter

Inspirational

Xochi Blymyer

That's very cool. Crazy how things can take off like this! As I was reading it, I did think of Blair Witch Project - sounds like he's on his way to topping that phenomenon.

Dude wasnt a keyboard filmmaker, got his hands dirty and made something great.

Ashley Renee Smith

This is so neat! And sooooo creepy looking, which honestly makes me even more interested to see it.

Ewan Dunbar

Fantastic! Sometimes doing stuff like this, whether it is successful or not, is the best film and film industry school you can have!

I haven’t see one episode.

I dont know how I feel about this actually. I loved the show. Truly. But it ended so beautifully that I wouldn't want this to undermine that. That being said, I know I would watch it. I wouldn't be able to stop myself.

Yea, Ashley, didn't expect this but I will definitely take the chance and watch it! :). Thanks for the good news Sam Sokolow - a fun show to look forward to seeing....

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2 people like this
- Sam Sokolow
- Maurice Vaughan
2 months ago

Great point Ashley Renee Smith . Its interesting when this happens to very good shows. Ted Lasso was some of the most finely crafted TV seen in years and follows some other shows that were exceptional...

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