There are a variety of Indie Film Crowdfunding platforms, given the growth in popularity of this way of financing independent films. Independent Film Crowdfunding Platforms allow filmmakers to raise funds from a broad audience of supporters. In this post, we cover some of the most often-used platforms, organized by category.
Our services can help with all of this, whether you are funding a Full length feature or a short, starting with your initial decision about which type of indie film crowdfunding platforms to go with, and then making connections, negotiating terms, and finally designing your pitch.
Indie Crowdsourcing Advantages
Choosing crowdfunding for your indie movie can be a great option, but it depends on various factors. Here are some of the positive aspects:
- Financial Needs: Assess how much funding your project requires. Crowdfunding might be suitable for smaller to medium-sized budgets. If your project needs substantial funding, a combination of crowdfunding with other sources might be necessary.
- Audience Engagement: Crowdfunding can help build a dedicated fan base and engage with your audience early on. It allows you to involve people who are passionate about your project and want to see it come to life.
- Marketing and Exposure: Crowdfunding serves as a marketing tool. It can generate buzz about your film, attract media attention, and create a community around your project.
- Control and Independence: Crowdfunding allows you to maintain creative control and independence. You’re not answerable to traditional financiers or studios, giving you more freedom in your artistic vision.
Indie Film Crowdfunding Platforms Disadvantages
Many films have successfully used indie film crowdfunding platforms to get their projects made, distributed, and marketed, but this does not mean it is the best choice for everyone. Running a successful crowdfunding campaign requires significant time, effort, and dedication. It’s not just about creating a campaign; it involves marketing, engaging with backers, and fulfilling promises. Equity-based crowdfunding involves legal complexities. Ensure you understand the laws and regulations for offering equity stakes to investors.
You should explore other funding options available to indie filmmakers, such as grants, private investors, pre-sales, or partnerships, and consider how these compare to crowdfunding. This is one reason to use our free services since we have no stake in what you choose, and we’re happy to provide balanced information to help you choose.
Ultimately, crowdfunding can be an excellent choice for indie filmmakers looking to finance their projects while engaging with their audience. It’s a powerful tool, but success often hinges on thorough planning, a compelling pitch, and effective marketing throughout the campaign.
Rewards-Based Indie Film Crowdfunding Platforms
Rewards-based indie film crowdfunding platforms offer backers attractive options such as being the first to screen a film, thank-yous in the credits, visits to the set, and more. These are the least risky types of indie film crowdfunding platforms, but there may be a limit to how much you can raise from people just looking for rewards. Here are three of the more prominent sites:
- Kickstarter: Kickstarter is one of the most well-known crowdfunding platforms. It allows filmmakers to create campaigns to fund their projects. Campaign creators set a funding goal and a deadline, and backers contribute to the campaign. If the funding goal is met by the deadline, the project receives the funds; otherwise, backers are not charged.
- Indiegogo Website: Indiegogo is another popular crowdfunding platform open to a wide range of creative projects, including indie films. It offers both fixed and flexible funding options. With flexible funding, you can keep the money you raise even if you don’t meet your funding goal.
- Seed & Spark: Seed&Spark is a crowdfunding platform designed specifically for independent filmmakers. It also offers additional tools and resources for filmmakers, such as distribution and educational opportunities.
Screening-Type Independent Film Crowdfunding Platforms
This second type is similar to the rewards-based sites, but they also offer a place to screen your independent film. The more common independent film crowdfunding platforms that also offer screening services include:
- FilmFreeway Website: FilmFreeway is primarily known as a film submission platform, but it also offers crowdfunding services. Filmmakers can set up crowdfunding campaigns and promote them to the film festival community.
- Slated Website: Slated is a platform that connects filmmakers with investors and offers a space for crowdfunding campaigns. It’s more geared toward the film industry and connecting projects with potential investors.
- Vimeo Website: Vimeo offers a crowdfunding tool for filmmakers. You can create a campaign, embed it on your Vimeo project page, and connect with your audience through the platform.
Equity-Based Indie Film Crowdfunding Platforms
There are many equity-based and financed available. Equity-based fundraising means backers can invest in your project in exchange for a share of the profits. This can be useful for more significant film projects. Of course, equity-based crowdfunding is a more risky way to go, given that you are giving up a share of potential profits, but it is also a way to attract investors willing to invest higher amounts of money. Also, the added stake you give investors can motivate them to help in various ways when the film comes out.
- Wefunder Website: While not exclusively for films, Wefunder is a large equity crowdfunding platform that supports various industries, including entertainment. Filmmakers can pitch their projects and offer equity to interested investors.
- StartEngine: Similar to Wefunder, StartEngine is a broad crowdfunding platform that allows filmmakers to seek equity investments for their film projects, among other types of ventures.
This is an area where our free services can help. We provide consultation about most of the popular equity crowdfunding websites, offer connection services, and can help you negotiate favorable terms for your raise.
Debt-Based Independent Film Crowdfunding Platforms 
With debt-based independent film crowdfunding platforms, filmmakers can use it to attract investors willing to invest in their film projects in exchange for revenue sharing. This may be a good choice if you need higher levels of investment than rewards-based crowdfunding might provide but do not want to give away equity. On the other hand, the risk involved with debt-based indie film crowdfunding is that you may have to pay back the loans no matter how successful the film is. Also, the interest rates may be high.
Some independent film crowdfunding platforms offer combinations of all of the above. Debt plus equity deals allow you to strike a balance where, in exchange for offering debt payback, investors take less equity in the film. Meaningful rewards can also allow you to give up less equity or lower the interest rates on debt.
Conclusions and Our Work
Remember that the success of your crowdfunding campaign depends on various factors, including the quality of your pitch, the uniqueness of your project, your outreach and marketing efforts, and your ability to engage and connect with your potential backers. Be sure to thoroughly research and compare these platform types to find the one that best suits your indie film project’s needs. That is again where we can help. Our connection services are free, even if you do your own independent raise.
If you’re interested in more information about these types of independent film crowdfunding platforms, would like help making a choice, or already have made a choice but want help negotiating the best terms with the chosen indie film crowdfunding platform you chose, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us any time.
