Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Raising money for short films can be a big hurdle for filmmakers. After making a $25k short film, I got a lot of questions about how to finance a short film project, especially one with a larger budget. Here are 5 ways I've found funding for over 50 short films.
I forgot to mention one thing in the video - if you aren't in a rush to film your project, and have the patience to fill out a bunch of applications, applying to filmmaking grants can be a great way to raise money for a film (although I've never done it myself). Try searching for short film grants on Google to find one relevant to your project.
📬 Make stronger films in a few minutes every week (my free newsletter): standardstoryco.com
✍️ Learn to write no-budget short films that work: standardstoryco.com/blueprint
🤝 Work with me 1-on-1: standardstoryco.com/consultations
🎓 Join my practical 30-day film school: https://wrapped.school
🤳 Keep up w/ me on IG: instagram.com/standardstoryco
📹 My current filmmaking gear:
Main Camera - amzn.to/475LBbO
Main Lens - amzn.to/476Whag
B-roll Camera - amzn.to/3q27OEq
Camera Monitor/Recorder - amzn.to/33ruCBB
Lights: amzn.to/3QwDqxo
Computer - amzn.to/3JnE8t7
Tripod - bhpho.to/43975mD
Microphone - amzn.to/3evKfhJ
Sound Recorder - amzn.to/3FrwrkS
My desk setup- kit.co/kentlamm/kent-s-desk-setup
🎵 Where I get my music (2 months free): bit.ly/3HIcaYK
Business inquiries:
standardstoryco@gmail.com
00:00 Intro
00:15 Financing a Short vs. a Feature
00:40 Self-Funding
1:02 Splitting the Budget
1:50 Crowdfunding Platforms
2:22 Kickstarter Campaign Tips
5:10 Investors
8:33 Loans/Credit
9:45 What to do BEFORE raising money
About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.
DISCLAIMER: Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Raising money for short films can be a big hurdle for filmmakers. After making a $25k short film, I got a lot of questions about how to finance a short film project, especially one with a larger budget. Here are 5 ways I've found funding for over 50 short films.
I forgot to mention one thing in the video - if you aren't in a rush to film your project, and have the patience to fill out a bunch of applications, applying to filmmaking grants can be a great way to raise money for a film (although I've never done it myself). Try searching for short film grants on Google to find one relevant to your project.
📬 Make stronger films in a few minutes every week (my free newsletter): standardstoryco.com
✍️ Learn to write no-budget short films that work: standardstoryco.com/blueprint
🤝 Work with me 1-on-1: standardstoryco.com/consultations
🎓 Join my practical 30-day film school: https://wrapped.school
🤳 Keep up w/ me on IG: instagram.com/standardstoryco
📹 My current filmmaking gear:
Main Camera - amzn.to/475LBbO
Main Lens - amzn.to/476Whag
B-roll Camera - amzn.to/3q27OEq
Camera Monitor/Recorder - amzn.to/33ruCBB
Lights: amzn.to/3QwDqxo
Computer - amzn.to/3JnE8t7
Tripod - bhpho.to/43975mD
Microphone - amzn.to/3evKfhJ
Sound Recorder - amzn.to/3FrwrkS
My desk setup- kit.co/kentlamm/kent-s-desk-setup
🎵 Where I get my music (2 months free): bit.ly/3HIcaYK
Business inquiries:
standardstoryco@gmail.com
00:00 Intro
00:15 Financing a Short vs. a Feature
00:40 Self-Funding
1:02 Splitting the Budget
1:50 Crowdfunding Platforms
2:22 Kickstarter Campaign Tips
5:10 Investors
8:33 Loans/Credit
9:45 What to do BEFORE raising money
About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.
DISCLAIMER: Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
