How To Begin Raising Money For Your Film?

How are you going to raise the money? What are you doing to raise money?

Two of the most asked questions in the film industry and the main component that determines if a film project gets fully completed. But I made a promise to myself that my project would get completed from beginning to end and I knew the only way to make this happen was to:

• Take things incredibly slow
• Build relationships
• Get as much experience on a film set even if it meant bartering with my time
• Focus on completing one task before moving on to another
• and PLAN like my life depended on it

So, script? (Check). Treatment? (Check). Synopsis? (Check). Mood Board? (Check). Movie Poster? (Check! But is subject to change). Rights? (Check). Budget Plan? (Check). Pilot/Pitch Video Script and Shot List? (Check). Special Effects? (Check). Pilot Production Team? (Check). Post-Production Team? (Almost there). Locations? (Almost there) and Talent? (Almost There).

Now, it’s time to semi-focus on generating capital. The first thing I did was ask myself, what is the easiest way to raise money for any film production? My immediate thought was “grants” and since I love to write I figured it shouldn’t be that difficult. So, I search for film grants on google and was immediately led to the film site, FilmDaily.tv, which listed dozens of grants, their deadlines, and what was required to apply. But I was very disheartened when I saw that over 95% of the grants were for “documentaries”. My film is a short narrative drama. I was quickly getting upset and the anger grew with each click.

Then, I take a step back, recenter myself, and kept looking. Luckily, after 3 hours or so of researching I manage to generate a spreadsheet of 7 grants: The Green Room Filmmaker Fund, Filmmakers Without Boarders, Ford Foundation (Just Films), Cine Reach Grants, Roy W. Dean Grant, Carolyn First Decade Fund, and the WIFV Fiscal Sponsorship.

I immediately went for the WIFV Fiscal Sponsorship since I’m already a member of the WIFV community. However, I didn’t see a deadline, nor did I see an amount attached to the sponsorship. Then, I call WIFV for more information and Melissa informs me that details for the sponsorship will be coming out in a few weeks. I almost ask her how much the sponsorship would be worth, but something told me to “Be quiet. Don’t ask”.

So, I’m back to waiting again. I decide in the meantime to just continue working on getting more documents in place and getting more film experience in any possible avenue until the sponsorship announcement came out.

Luckily, in between that time, I manage to get hired as an “extra” on the film set, “The Laptop” by the director Mike Kravinsky. This experience led me to another role, which was referred to me by Mark Ricche, as a supporting actress on the short horror film Douen (set to be screened at the Women Of Color Filmmakers Anniversary on November 19^, 2021) by the director Alyscia Cunningham, who also just made the Forbes 1000 list (movie poster and BTS Footage below).  Lastly, I land a Key Production Assistant gig with film director Adielenah Perez to cover the Women’s March in DC.

Then, the WIFV Fiscal Sponsorship announcement comes out. I pounce on it right away. It requires an application cover letter, my film resume, my production team’s film resumes, a distribution plan, shooting schedule, budget top sheet, target audience, synopsis, a list of donors (none at the time) and 3 letters of recommendation. But I still didn’t see the financial amount of what it was worth. (Hmmm)

I go to google and look up the meaning of a fiscal sponsorship (which is what I should’ve done in the beginning). I find out, it’s a supportive/protective financial umbrella by a certified 501© (3) non-profit organization given to a filmmaker to help keep track of their financial expenses for their project and enable all donators to receive a tax-deductible on their donations = more credibility and more trust. (Fantastic!).

So, the deadline for the fiscal sponsorship finally comes. It’s 10:30pm at night, I finish and submit all my documents to Melissa. Then, I read that a $50 application fee is supposed to be sent with my application. But, where’s the link? OMG, there’s no link!

I start freaking out. My heart is pumping, I email Melissa with no response back (of course) and just decide to improvise. I send the fee via PayPal. I wake up the next morning to an email from Melissa saying they don’t use PayPal, I should send the fee via Zelle, and that I shouldn’t worry that my application will still be considered on time. (Whew!)

Lastly, I have another itch to have a backup plan and not always put my eggs in one basket. Since the turnaround time for the WIFV fiscal sponsorship was 9 weeks, I decide to look for another fiscal sponsorship to apply for. I land on Carole Dean’s film website “From The Heart Productions”. Their turnaround time was 3-10 business days for an $80 fee. So, I apply. I only needed to provide a summary of my film, the length of it in minutes, and the social media pages. (Sheesh! That’s it? I could’ve done that in my sleep).

Shockingly, within less than 24 hours, my application from “From The Heart Productions” gets approved and less than a month later I receive my first financial donation for an Executive Producer credit on my film. (Wow! The exhaustion and excitement is unreal!).

Until next time!

What ways have you found to have worked to helped you raise funding for your projects? Let me know in the comments below.

Other posts you may be interested in:

• Why A Film Treatment Is Important?
• How To Navigate Between A Film Copyright & Trademark?

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