BANKING THE BUDGET

STRUCTURING THE FUNDING HUNT FOR INDIE FILMMAKERS

As an independent filmmaker, the single most overwhelming thing I have faced is looking at the budget for that great idea, the compelling story that I so desperately want to tell and wondering where I will get the financing to make the film. It’s exhausting even before you start and the bad news is that it doesn’t get less exhausting once you get started. There isn’t a standard funding application template that works every time either. 

The good news is that by thinking outside the box, you might just be successful in securing some of this elusive money. In this article, I’m sharing with you some of the things I’ve learned through my years of applying for funding. With a new year just around the corner, and with that a whole new round of submissions deadlines, being on top of your hunt will go a long way. 

So, as a creative, how do you beat that overwhelming feeling and harness your inner super Ninja so your funding process becomes as fantastic as your project idea?

I’ve assembled a few tips and pointers below. Some of it may sound obvious but make no mistake, they will give you a fighting chance at getting one step closer to securing your budget without the overwhelming feeling beating you. I’m focussing on finding funding from non-film specific funds. There are countless culture and arts funds with money available for the right projects – and this can be your project too. 

Before anything else, my advice is to prepare the most likely required documentation for any application: 

1. Project description

2. Budget

3. Financing Plan

4. CVs

I can’t tell you how to write your project description as every project is different and your writing style should reflect your project and you as the creator. Bear in mind that your application is just one of thousands so find a way to be creative and impactful. Then be prepared to change it many times over as you target your submissions to the specific funds and organisations. 

Here’s what I do when looking for funding:

STEP 1: THE BRAINSTORM

Think about your project, your film and the story you want to tell. Where is it set? What is it about? What will your protagonist be doing? You will of course have thought about this when writing your story. However, when writing and imagining the story you are not wearing the funding and finance hat. Your story can potentially secure funding from specific locations, other countries, companies, tourist boards and cultural, arts, historic or humanitarian funds and organisations that focus and work within an area that relates to your story. So, go through your project picking out every realistic element that may be a potential area of interest to someone. 

STEP 2: THE RESEARCH

Armed with your brainstorming list, start your research. This is tough as your initial searches may not yield any results. But keep looking, change your search terminology, check links to articles of similar projects or stories as they might mention where some of their funding came from. Yes, we are talking deep dark web style research and it takes a lot of time. And there’s no way out of it. As you start collecting your list of realistic funds and organisations, read their criteria very carefully and check the entire website for the mission statements, previous successful projects, other areas of interest and what work they do. You must know them before you can ask for their money. 

STEP 3: LIST CHECKING

Save yourself and others a ton of work. If you are unsure whether your project qualifies get in touch with the fund or organisation. They will appreciate it and you show great consideration. Plus, if your project is ineligible you save yourself a lot of time including the frustrating rejection. 

STEP 4: ORGANISING AND PREPARING

Now that you have successfully dug up a decent and checked list of organisations and funds with varying areas of focus that are realistic to your project, create a nice and clear spreadsheet listing them in application deadline order. Be your own best friend and do this for yourself. As you are probably also working another job, have responsibilities and other life going on, this very practical spreadsheet is your solid map to your workload ahead. Add columns for areas of focus, required documentation you need to submit (budgets, CVs, financing plans, project timeline) and submissions method. Some may need you to post in a paper application. And for job done satisfaction, add a column for applications submitted! You now have your road map to be in the running for securing some funding. Plus, you can use the information as part of your financing plan. It’s not a bad idea preparing this spreadsheet during your research.

STEP 5: THE SUBMISSION

It almost goes without saying but make sure you target your applications to the specific fund or organisation. Depending on their individual area of focus you may have to extend on specific sections of your application, highlight certain areas of your project and word things differently. But most crucially, everything you say must be truthful and accurate. Your integrity cannot be stressed enough. Remember, you are just as much a part of the application and their considerations as the film you are submitting for. 

STEP 6: PLANNING AHEAD

It can take some funds and organisations up to 6 months to work through the applications so plan ahead. If you have done your research well you will have a fairly long list of target funds throughout the year. Be mindful though that some funds don't give funding to projects already begun. If you haven't started principal photography yet, the period of research and development necessary for any project to come to life, is simply research and, from my experiences, not considered a project start. If you have filmed a few interviews for your documentary or a taster tape this too can be classified as research. 

It sounds easy and straight forward but this type of planning and organisation is not the love of most creatives. Once you dive deep into the research, the likelihood of losing track, missing a link or forgetting a lead is high. Applying an organised super Ninja structure to your hunt will save you a lot of time, reduce the risk of doing unnecessary applications and missing out due to a missed deadline. 

I’m an independent Danish filmmaker and have secured over half a million Danish kroners in funding from local culture, arts and history funds in Denmark and Greenland. All my submissions were submitted as an individual, not as a production company. My successful applications include the HKM Dronning Margrethes og HKH Prins Henriks Fond (HRH Queen Margrethe of Denmark and HRH Prince Henriks Fund), one of the most difficult funds to receive. However, behind every successful application is a long list of unsuccessful submissions. With each application, you will learn and develop your skills so keep at it. 

Need more help? New in 2020, I am adding a funding consultancy service to my business. If you’d like to know more about what I can offer don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free quote. 

Happy hunting! Happy 2020! And GOOD LUCK!