II. Film Funding

Every success is an exception.

Anon

Without prejudice

Click to jump to section:

1. Advice
2. Grants
3. Investors
4. Crowdfunding
5. Foreign Sales & Markets
6. Insurance

1. Advice

When Starting

I used to caution aspiring filmmakers to keep their indie film budgets to under a million dollars. Now my warning threshold tells them to keep it to a maximum of a hundred thousand dollars , otherwise risks of financial loss will be huge.

Don Coscarelli, Director Phantasm etc. True Indie, (St Martin's Press, 2018) p329.

Baseline Intelligence
http://www.baselineintel.com
Service providing reports on popular (finance) topics for producers

BFI: Sources of Funding for UK Film Makers
https://www.bfi.org.uk/sources-funding-uk-filmmaker

The Business
https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business
Filmmaking business podcast by Kim Manners, editor at The Hollywood Reporter, & guests

Creative England, UK
https://www.filminginengland.co.uk

Field of Vision: Virtual Mentorship & Consultation Service for the Documentary Community
https://mailchi.mp/fieldofvision/fov-virtual-consult

Film Courage: Interview with Glen Reynolds (YouTube)
(advice on film selling & distribution)

Film Daily - How to Fund Your Film
https://www.filmdaily.tv/grants/list-best-feature-film-grants-funding

From the Heart Productions: List of Film Grants (International)
https://fromtheheartproductions.com/list-of-film-grants

Greenlight My Movie
https://www.greenlightmymovie.com
Funding sources and screenplay portal to US production companies

Independent Horror Society: How to Finance Your Film
https://independenthorrorsociety.com/how-to-finance-your-film

IndieFilmTO
https://indiefilmto.com

Guide to Grant Writing:
https://indiefilmto.com/ultimate-guide-to-grant-writing

Funding & Distribution Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@indiefilmto3715/videos

Stephen Follows: Full Costs & Income of a $1M Independent Feature Film
https://stephenfollows.com/full-costs-and-income-of-1m-independent-feature-film

Rudnicki, Lee: Simple Guide to Financing an Independent Film with Private Equity
https://leerudnicki.wordpress.com/2019/01/17/a-simple-guide-to-financing-an-independent-film-with-private-equity

StudioBinder: A Guide to Funding Your Film (YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0W0JLP7Eow

Tax: IHS Pro: Film Tax & Accounting (with Ryan Cabello) [01:15:45] (6/2026)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5Crc_NM16Y

UK Tax Relief (Advice from BFI):

• For Film
• For Animation
• For Co-productions

Summary from David Puttnam's book: The Undeclared War (Harper Collins, 1997)

To revive the European film industry aim for:

• international European or intercontinental (China, Japan, US) co-production deals,
• collaboration with TV channels and film theatre companies.
• Film in English (because of the market),
• spend a good chunk on marketing and promotion as Canal + does.

2. Grants

If applying for a film grant, remember:

1. Get the application in at least a few hours before the deadline.
2. Include a 'proof' of concept or mini trailer (sizzle reel) even if just 30 secs long. If you don't have one, use recce footage, or example of your previous work.
3. Applying for grants should be free. If you're asked for a fee, is it worth it?
4. Mention long-term goals as well as short-term accomplishments. Supporting artistic evolution bodes well on grant-awarding bodies.
5. Get your proposal proofread by other filmmakers well before submission.
6. Read and re-read the application guidelines. Get every aspect right.

2.1 British:

2.1.1 British, National

Actors' Benevolent Fund
https://www.actorsbenevolentfund.co.uk/apply

Artcry
https://www.artcry.co.uk/apply

BBC3 Comissions
https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/bbc-three

BBC Small Indie Fund
https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/small-indie-fund

Network: BAFTA Crew Mentoring
http://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/bafta-crew/bfi-network-x-bafta-crew-mentoring

Documentary Features Funding
https://www.docsociety.org/bfi-doc-features

Documentary Society Fund
https://bfi.docsociety.org

BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund
https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/create-films-tv-or-new-formats-storytelling/discovery-impact-feature-funding/applying-bfi-national-lottery-impact-feature-funding

BFI: New Production & Development Funds for Live Action & Animation Features
https://www.bfi.org.uk/news/bfi-national-lottery-filmmaking-fund-opens

British Council Labs Travel Grant
http://film.britishcouncil.org/on-going-projects/labs-travel-grant1

Chicken Egg Films Research & Development Grants
https://chickeneggfilms.org/programs/research-and-development-grant

Climate Spring X Counterpoints Arts: Development Fund
https://counterpoints.org.uk/new-development-fund-with-climate-spring

Creative Debut: Black Artist's Grant
https://creativedebuts.co.uk/bag

Creatve UK
https://www.wearecreative.uk/support/film-tv

Disability Arts Online: New Commissions for Disabled Artists
https://disabilityarts.online/magazine/news/disability-arts-online-announces-new-commissions-for-disabled-artists

Enter the Pitch
https://www.enterthepitch.com

Enterprise Initiative Scheme
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/venture-capital-schemes-apply-for-the-enterprise-investment-scheme

Equity Charitable Trust
https://www.equitycharitabletrust.org.uk

Film Hub North (small grants)
https://filmhubnorth.org.uk/bursary-awards?audience=all

First Flights - film funding (shorts & features) & incubator
https://www.first-flights.com

FFolio
http://ffilmcymruwales.com/funding-and-training

The Film & TV Charity
https://filmtvcharity.org.uk

Global Screen Fund
https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund

Independent Horror Society Creators' Fund
https://independenthorrorsociety.com/the-ihs-creators-fund

Iris Prize (funding, distribution & promotion of LGBTQ+ film)
https://irisprize.org/about-iris

National Youth Arts Trust
https://nationalyouthartstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/bursaries

Network: Early Development Funding
https://network.bfi.org.uk/funding-available

OKRE Fund
https://okre.org/okre-fund

Sir Horace Ové Grant
https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/your-support/financial-support/grants/sir-horace-ove-grant

Pillars Fund
https://www.pillarsfund.org/paf

Satellite: Skip/Intro Scheme
https://www.satellitefilms.org/projects#/skip-intro

ShootingPeople's Film Funding Database
https://shootingpeople.org/funds

Slick Film Fund
https://filmfreeway.com/SlickFilmsFund

Stop Gap Grants
https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/stop-gap-grants

UK Global Screen Fund
https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/funding-support-international-activity/uk-global-screen-fund

The Uncertain Kingdom - Development Fund
https://www.theuncertainkingdom.co.uk

Wahala Film Fund
https://wahalafilmfund.com

The Whickers - Documentary Fund
https://www.whickerawards.com

2.1.2 British, Local

(i) England

• • • Bath: Bath Film Office
    • Birmingham: Birmingham
    • Bristol: Bristol Film Commission | Bristol Ideas Exchange
    • Berkshire: Berkshire Film Office
    • Cornwall: Screen Cornwall
    • Kent: Kent Film Office
    • Liverpool: Liverpool Film Office
    • London: Film London
    • Northern UK: Northern Film Media
    • Manchester: Screen Manchester
    • Sheffield: South Yorkshire Filmmakers' Network
    • Surrey: Surrey Film Office
    • Wandsworth Culture Micro-commissions
    • West Midlands: West Midlands Production Fund
    • Yorkshire: Screen Yorkshire

(ii) Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Screen
https://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk

(iii) Scotland

• • • Creative Scotland
    • Scottish Documentary Institute
    • Screen Scotland:
      • Film Development and Production Fund
      • Professional Development Fund
    • Short Circuit (Scotland): First Features

(iv) Wales

• • • Film Cymru
    • Screen Alliance Wales
    • Business Wales
    • Welsh Film Development & Production

2.2 International:

2.2.1 European

Additional Feature Film Development Loans (Ireland)
https://www.screenireland.ie/funding/development-loans/additional-feature-film-development

Creative Europe (EC funding programme for culture)
https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe

Eurimages
https://www.coe.int/en/web/eurimages

European Film Promotion - Film Sales Support
https://www.efp-online.com/en/fss/fss-films.php

IBF Europe: Regulations for Distribution Support
https://www.idfa.nl/en/info/ibf-europe-regulations-for-distribution-support

MEDIA - European Film Funding
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/creative-europe-media

2.2.2 United States of America

American Documentary Filmmaker Resources
https://www.amdoc.org/create/filmmaker-resources

Chicken & Egg Films (US) - offer research, development and (Egg)celerator Lab grant funding for women’s film projects
https://chickeneggfilms.org/programs/egg-celerator-lab

Decentralized Pictures (run by Roman, Sofia, and Gia Coppola)
https://decentralized.pictures

Funding Sources (from From the Heart Productions)
https://fromtheheartproductions.com/funding-sources

2.2.3 Rest of the World

Ford Foundation: Just Films
https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/justfilms/justfilms-inquiry

International Documentary Association: Documentary Grants & Fellowship Directory
https://www.documentary.org/grants-directory

Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program
https://www.sundance.org/programs/documentary-film

3. Investors

As Dov Simens says:

1. Make a profitable £2000 film to get investment for a £20,000 film.
2. Make a profitable £20,000 film to get investment for a £200,000 film.
3. Make a profitable £200,000 film to get investment for a £2M film.
4. Make a profitable £2M film to get investment for a £20M film etc.

Types of Investor:

1. major studio looking to finance big-budget film;
2. investor looking for an executive producer credit. - Will donate funds to filmmaker already on upward trajectory, for a film that's already set to feature at prestigious film festivals;
3. online platform that distributes films;
4. small /local businesses and organizations (e.g. for product placement /their signage in your film /getting their message across). Be creative in how their business can profit from funding/co-funding your film (e.g. footage they can show their employees).

Scope for profit comes from your having access to the audience that wants to see your film. Investors invest for profit and/or personal interest.

___

Building Your Dream Team: A Key to Securing Film Financing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMezTJwgu5Q

Film London: Production Finance Market (July deadline)
https://filmlondon.org.uk/production-finance-market-pfm

Getting Film Investment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCsoQeP2JQ8

Where's the Money? - The Realities of Film Financing Today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=492Xt79Ia8w

Product Placement:

Association of Entertainment Marketing Professionals

Game Show Placements

Media Placement

Ross Group

4. Crowdfunding

4.1 Film Crowdfunding Sites

• Crowdcube
• Crowdfunder (UK)
• Funrazr (Canada)
• GoFundMe
• Greenlit
• Indiegogo
• Kickstarter *
• Pozible (Australia)
• Seed & Spark
• Slated

4.2 Tips

If you've an established audience, offset platform fees by considering a self-hosted campaign.

Crowdfunding is usually for funding your first, initial, passion project. It's not really a sustainable way to get repeat funding; donors may tire of funding the same person/crew.

The film is marketed before it's made. To crowd-fund, you must first have the crowd. Audience-build throughout your career. Find the strangers and tell them where you are. You have to have a relationship with your audience that matters. Let your fans school you on crowdfunding. The crowd is going to make you a more attentive, empathic artist. Remember that your audience is at least as smart as you think you are! Show, don't tell.

Have a 90-second pitch video which resonates with your crowd. Do not ask for 'help' with a donation. Ask them to join what you are offering with a contribution, because, together, you are making something relevant. That tone has to permeate everything in your crowdfunding campaign.

Show the project, not the makers. E.g. a dramatic scene from the film; then demonstrate what your cinematographer is capable of + collation of things your actors have been in. Demonstrate you are capable of making the thing you are promising. Use a preview of your crowdfunding campaign to get feedback from your audience, before launch.

The first day of your campaign should be a big day for donations: build to that, because donors are more likely to support a campaign which has already almost reached its target. Send a personalized preview of your campaign to your biggest backers, asking them to donate early, to give your campaign the momentum it needs to succeed. Send a personalized reminder email to them on the first day of the campaign.

1. Who is your audience? (There will be different demographics including a core group.)
2. Where do they hang out?
3. How do they like to be spoken to? ⇒
4. How do you reach them?
5. Dedicate yourself actively to engaging your audience (hard work & patience).

Personalized emails will be more effective. Post continuous updates while the campaign is live (crew, locations, gear, excitement). Ask initial donors to increase their donations if they can and to share campaign details with their friends.

*Kickstarter's model only charges donors if you reach your target goal. Donors usually prefer this, as it ensures they'll be supporting a properly-funded project.

4.3 More Tips:

• 3 Ways to Get a Crowd Into Crowdfunding Your Indie Film
• 10 Items on a Crowdfunding Success Checklist (Raindance)
• Indiegogo>Help Center>Campaigns
• How Filmmakers Avert 5 Crowdfunding Disasters
• How to Run a Kickstarter Film Project
• How to Raise Money for a Film on Kickstarter or Indiegogo

5. Foreign Sales & Markets

American Film Market

Cannes: marché du film

European Film Market (Berlin)

Ventana Sur (Buenos Aires)

6. Insurance

Performance - Film & Media Insurance
https://www.performance-insurance.com/get-a-quote

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III. Producer Software

• Saturation (Online film budgeting facility)
• Showbiz Budgeting
• Storyboarding
• MovieMagic Scheduling
• MySmash Media
• ThinkCrew
• Wrapbook
• Yamdu

IV. Sales & Distribution

Approach distributors directly (in the early stages) and/or commission a sales agent.

1. Advice

Cinando - Compendium of film markets: people & companies. Originally developed at Cannes Film Market. (American Film Market attendees receive automatic 1-year subscription.)
https://cinando.com/en/Register/Step1

CineCircle: Advice on Sales Agents:
https://www.cinecircle.co.uk/post/list-of-20-london-film-sales-agents

Freeway Entertainment: Film revenue collecton and monitoring
https://www.freeway-entertainment.com

Greenlit.com: Self-Distribution - Getting Your Work Out on Your Own Terms
Interview with Marcus Markou

How to Sell Your Film in Today's World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGNohUhqG0Y

How to Work the American Film Market (AFM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_n5jIWJ9Ac

How to Work the American Film Market (AFM) + How to Work with Sales Agents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgHLv2T0v6E

How to Sell Your FIlm at the AFM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ltYZi-BTkc

Independent Cinema Office: How to Get Your Film Distributed
https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/advice-support/how-do-i-get-my-film-into-distribution

Chris Jones Blog: How to Self-Distribute a Film
Podcast Masterclass with Marcus Markou

Huffington Post article by Marcus Markou: How to Self-Distribute Your First Film
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/marcus-markou/how-to-selfdistribute-you_b_6887364.html

Studio Binder: Film Distribution - The Ultimate Guide

Text
Video

Glen Reynolds: Selling a Movie and the Money They Make (video 2h 25m 28s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtPv_ppbN0E

Wrapbook: Producer's Guide to Film Distributors
https://www.wrapbook.com/blog/producers-guide-film-distributors

Tip:

If you pitch your film to a distributor along with behind the scenes videos, smart virals shot on set, pre-recorded cast interviews or ‘shout-outs’ for all sorts of TV channels etc., clever marketing ploys that don’t cost anything extra, and you show that you understand your target audience, you’ll really stand a much better chance of getting your film out there.

Tobias Tobbell, British Film Director

2. Sales Agents

Sales agents bridge the gap between filmmakers and potential distributors, for a % cut.

London-based Film Sales Agents:

1. cardinalreleasing.com
2. celciusentertainment.com
3. coffeeandcigarettes.co.uk
4. avpictures.co.uk
5. bankside-films.com
6. contentmediacorp.com
7. dogwoof.com
8. embankmentfilms.com
9. highpointfilms.co.uk
10. k5international.com
11. manifestfilmsales.com
12. meridianafilms.com
13. metro-films.com
14. moviehouseent.com
15. parkentertainment.com
16. protagonistpictures.com
17. salt-co.com
18. scfilmsinternational.com
19. theworksfilmgroup.com
20. film-seekers.com

3. Distributors

General

FilmHub (online film distributor)
https://filmhub.com

Independent Cinema Office: List of Film Distributors
https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/advice-support/list-of-distributors

Premium Films: distributors of short films:
https://www.premium-films.com/about-us

Wikipedia:

List of UK Film Distributors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Film_distributors_of_the_United_Kingdom

List of Film Distributors by Country
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_film_distributors_by_country

Wrapbook: List of Independent Film Distributors
https://www.wrapbook.com/blog/independent-film-distributors-list

__

Distributeurs de films en France

• BAC Films
• Gaumont
• Metropolitan Filmexport
• Pan-Européenne
• Pathé
• SND Groupe M6
• StudioCanal
  • https://www.canalplusgroup.com
  • https://www.studiocanal.fr
• UGC
• United International Pictures

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V. Film Marketing

without great marketing and great distribution, even a good film can do no business whatsoever.

Eric Fellner

Duration, spread, focus, timing, theme.

• GET EYEBALLS ON YOUR PROJECT.
• Become the face of your film. Sell the film. Sell yourselves.
• Make promotional material.

Film Marketing Links

16 x Film Promotion & PR Strategies
https://miracalize.com/film-promotion-strategies

17 x Marketing Strategies for Your Film
https://www.ventureharbour.com/ultimate-guide-marketing-films-tv-shows-online

101 x Film Marketing Ideas
https://robinpiree.com/blog/film-marketing-ideas

Biggest Film Marketing Mistakes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHXhQcDGgE0

Greg Day: Film PR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsCv3FQCKU&t=8s

European Film Promotion
https://www.efp-online.com
Showcasing European films, training opportunities for crew

Jason Horton: Film Distribution & Marketing Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDUasQIW9a2b2DcHzhiiy6WwDV6cdnJyA

Film Marketing Misconceptions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpdSdKb1vZE

David Edwards: Film Marketing Strategies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSlOYKWqJUQ

How to Promote Your Independent Film
https://www.tutti.space/blog/independent-film-promotion

Independent Horror Society: Beginner's Guide to Film Marketing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywj3KmjAGaQ

Marketing Your Independent Film
https://www.mediaservices.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-marketing-your-independent-film

Movie Marketing Plan
https://www.filmmakingstuff.com/movie-marketing-plan-overview

Posters: Muhammad Zoqaib (designer):
https://www.behance.net/muhammadzuqaib

Social Media in a Film Marketing Plan
https://www.blog.thefilmfund.co/the-ultimate-guide-to-social-media-in-a-film-marketing-plan

Social Media in Film Marketing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zyoq76XhXk

Jeff Deverett: Why Movie Distributors No Longer Do Marketing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXcnU0Xko6g

Preview Theatres

Screening Room Map, The
https://screeningroommap.com

Screening Rooms in London directory (old): → 

For 'alternative' venues, check out these UK Indie Cinema Clubs and Venues:

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VI. Books

d'ADAMO, Amadeo:
Producing for the Screen
(Routledge, 2020)

ABUSHWESHA, Farah:
A Guide to Low Budget Filmmaking
(Creative Essentials, 2019)

AUSTEN, Sue:
Producing for Film & Television
(The Crowood Press, 2019)

CLEVE, Bastian:
Film Production Management
(Routledge, 2017)

ERICKSON, Gunnar:
The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide
(Schirmer, 2011)

FOLLOWS, Stephen:
Crowd Funding for Film Makers
(Creative Essentials, 2018)

FRUMKES, Roy & SMONELLI, Rocco:
Shoot Me: Independent Filmmaking from Concept to Rousing Release
(Allworth Press, 2002)

GAINES, Philip & RHODES, David:
Hollywood on 5,000, 10,000 or 25,000 Dollars a Day: Survival Guide for Low-Budget Film Makers
(Sillman-James, 1994)

GASPARD, John & NEWTON, Dale:
Persistence of Vision: Impractical Guide to Producing a Feature Film for Under $30,000
(Michael Wiese Productions, 1995)

GOODELL, Gregory:
Independent Feature Film Production: A Complete Guide from Concept Through Distribution
(St Martin's Press, 2003)

GORE, Chris:
Chris Gore's Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide
(Watson-Guptill, 2010)

GROVE, Elliot:
Raindance Producers' Lab. Lo-to-no Budget Filmmaking
(Focal Press, 2013)

HARMON, Renée:
Film Producing Low Budget Films That Sell
(Samuel French, 1988) - Dated but still useful

HOLLAND, Christopher:
Film Festival Secrets
(Stoimp Tokyo, 2019)

HONTHANER, Eve:
The Complete Film Production Handbook
(Elsevier /Focal Press, 2010)

LEE, John:
The Producer's Business Handbook
(Routledge, 2017)

LYONS, Sarah:
Indie Film Producing
(Routledge, 2012)

MORRIS, Tony:
The Filmmakers' Legal Guide
(Grantham Books, 2024 - ensure to check for latest edition)

PATZ, Deborah:
Film Production Management 101
(Michael Wiese Productions, 2011)

RINZLER, J. W.:
Howard Kazanjian: A Producer's Life
(Cameron Books, 2021)

RODRIGUEZ, Roberto:
Rebel Without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker with $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player
(Penguin, 1996)

RUSSO, John & VINCENT, Gary:
How to Make Exciting Money-Making Movies
(Burning Bulb Publishing, 2015)

RYAN, Maureen:
Film + Video Budgets
(Michael Wiese Productions, 2015)

RYAN, Maureen:
Producer to Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Low-budget Independent Film Producing
(Michael Wiese Productions, 2017)

SCHMIDT, Rick:
Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices: How to Write, Produce, Direct, Shoot, Edit, and Promote a Feature Length Movie for Less Than $15,000
(Penguin Books, 1988)

STERN, Bret:
How to Shoot a Feature Film for Under $10,000: And Not Go to Jail
(William Morrow & Co., 2002)

STRADLING, Linda:
Production Management for TV & Film
(Methuen Drama, 2010)

STUBBS, Liz & RODRIGUEZ, Roberto:
Making Independent Films
(Allworth Press, 2000)

TRIGONIS, John:
Crowdfunding for Filmmakers: The Way to a Successful Film Campaign
(Michael Wiese Productions, 2016)

TURMAN, Lawrence:
So You Want to Be a Producer
(Methuen, 2006)

VACHON, Christine & BUNN, Austin:
A Killer Life: How an Independent Film Producer Survives Deals & Disasters in Hollywood & Beyond
(Limelight Editions, 2007)