The Art-House America Campaign, a new relief fund established by initial donations from the Criterion Collection and Janus Films, has been launched to help the more than 150 independent movie theatres across the United States that have temporarily closed to slow the spread of COVID-19. As part of that effort, a map is being created to track specific theatres that are closed.
Indie Crowd Funder, in conjunction with Daniel Myrick (DGA/WGA) director, writer, producer (The Blair Witch Project), Shintaro Shimosawa, (DGA) director, writer, producer (The Grudge, The Grudge 2), Randy Greenberg, executive producer (Cowboys & Aliens, Meg), producer Autumn Bailey-Ford (PGA), have announced the launch of a new film, television, new media and virtual reality fund.
A fan-funded documentary, which examines the legacy of one of Hollywood’s best-loved action movie franchises is being made by a University of Northampton, United Kingdom, graduate. Filmmaker Christopher Griffiths, who graduated from the Media Production degree course in 2013, raised £34,000 on the Kickstarter funding platform to make RoboDoc, which explores the making and legacy of the RoboCop franchise.
The filmmakers behind the Iron Sky saga are widening the spectrum of productions in their business, inviting fans to start producing professional-quality content in the Iron Sky’s universe. Titled Fanchise, the initiative is an open call to all Iron Sky fans, young filmmakers, game developers and innovators to pitch their concepts of maximum 10 minute experiences – games, short films, VR experiences, graphic novels – whatever inspires the most.
The entertainment equity crowd-funding company IndieCrowdFunder.com has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to register as a Funding Portal under Title III of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. The new rules, approved October 2015, will allow filmmakers to raise up to one million every twelve months via equity platforms from accredited and unaccredited investors.
Many documentary filmmakers turn to fundraising to finance their films. But not every filmmaker turns to fundraising to support the work of her subject. Producer/director Beth Murphy is using her film, What Tomorrow Brings, about visionary Razia Jan to help raise funds for what will be the first women’s college in rural Afghanistan.
Award winning director Michael Apted (56Up, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Amazing Grace) is campaigning on the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo (http://igg.me/at/MIA3) to jumpstart the third installment of his Married in America film series.
The Digital Cinema Society, Adorama Pro and ARC Rentals are hosting a discussion on indie film finance and distribution August 6 at Adorama’s store 42 West 18th Street in New York.
Defenders of Life is the first fictional portrayal of this indigenous community of Costa Rica. Igor Darbo feels strongly that this story needs to be told. It is the story of the Ngobe people, an indigenous community of Costa Rica, covering their lives, community, culture and struggles. Darbo, a resident of San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, is in the process of making the first fiction feature film with and about the Ngobes.
