Hollywood and the financial environment of independent cinema are changing because there are many new technologies that have altered the filmmaking and movie reviews process. It used to be that only a little over 900 production and film financing distribution partners invested in Indie Films through private placement memorandums. Any willing investor could do it today.

This influences several areas: 1) Filmmakers now have online schools where they can get training, learn about filmmaking, and locate a mentor in the industry to work with. 2) New funding opportunities for independent filmmakers are emerging, while the traditional methods of securing film distribution are now becoming outdated.

Internationally, financiers favor big productions. In the past, many of the large studios have used German tax shelters, New Zealand subsidies, and pre-sales to fund big blockbuster film projects. But what about the small independent filmmaker? Where does funding come from for these projects?

The digital revolution is changing both the distribution of films and how they’re made. Independent filmmakers no longer need a large distributor because faster broadband now allows people to watch movies from their computer screens. Anyone can purchase some films from their websites. “The Fall of America and the Western World” is one such film.

Independent filmmakers who are hoping to get their film projects can look forward to the future when these changes increases their opportunities.

Current trends include companies online that are helping filmmakers finance their films by matching them with investors and/or distributors. Filmmakers from small towns can make use of these kinds of services.

If an independent filmmaker received good movie reviews for past film projects, it helps a lot. These movie reviews lend credibility to filmmakers when they are seeking investors.

The filmmaker would submit a description of their film for consideration to these online websites. There are many investors registered on the website who can then access the list of projects at their own pace, and review those projects that are in need of funding. They in turn can directly contact the filmmakers, which cuts out any middlemen as was popular for film financing in the past.

Independent filmmakers are also assisted by some non-profit organizations to locate financing and distribution for their projects. They offer fiscal sponsorship to filmmakers, but don’t fund them. Sponsorship allows filmmakers to receive funding from sources that limit their funding to nonprofits.

Independent producers can also post website ads and information abour their projects on other websites that link them to investors.