Are you ready to stop wishing and start funding?

Raising Money for Your Independent Feature Film: Join Me at the University of Miami!

Are you tired of waiting for your film to magically fund itself?

Here's the truth: raising money for film isn't about luck. It's not about knowing someone who knows someone. And it definitely isn't about sending out a hundred cold emails and hoping ONE person writes you a check.

Independent film financing is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned.

That's exactly why I'm heading to the University of Miami School of Communications this Tuesday, February 17th, to teach filmmakers how to stop wishing and start funding.

Join Me IN-PERSON for a FREE Workshop on Raising Money for Your Independent Feature Film

Want to see (and share) the flyer? Here’s the Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUwQcbBkXrD/

Here's what's happening:

Workshop: Raising Money For Your Independent Feature Film
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: University of Miami, UM School of Communications
Moderated by: Betsy Helf Mateu, Senior Lecturer at UM School of Communication
Sponsored by: Women in Film & Television Florida

Cost? FREE for members and UM students. Just $10 for non-members (with special WIFT Florida pricing).

Register here: https://www.womeninfilmfl.org/event-6546687

This isn't a lecture where you sit back and take notes while someone drones on about "the importance of networking." This is a hands-on, practical workshop where we're going to break down the REAL strategies that working producers use to fund their films, whether it's your first feature or your fifth.

Why I'm Doing This (And Why You Should Show Up)

Look, I've been in this industry for nearly a decade. I've guided filmmakers through raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for their projects. I've worked on 25+ features that are currently in distribution and have over 150 projects in development.

And here's what I know for sure: The filmmakers who succeed aren't the ones with the most talent.

They're the ones who understand the business side of filmmaking.

You might have the most beautiful script. You might have Nicholl's award-winning dialogue. You might have a vision that could legitimately change the world.

But if you can't figure out how to raise money for your film, that script stays on your laptop. That vision stays in your head. And your story? It never gets told.

And that's where I come in.

What You'll Actually Learn (No Fluff, Just Strategy)

This workshop is designed for filmmakers who are done with the guessing game. Here's what we're covering:

The Capital Stack Approach

Forget the myth of finding ONE big investor who writes you a giant check. That's not how independent film financing works anymore (and honestly, it rarely ever did).

I'm going to show you how to build a capital stack, multiple funding sources that, together, fully finance your film. We're talking:

• Equity investors (and how to approach them the RIGHT way)

• Debt financing (yes, loans for films exist: and they work)

• Tax credits and incentives (free money you're probably ignoring)

• Pre-sales and distribution advances (turning your film into a sellable asset BEFORE you shoot)

• Grants and fiscal sponsorships (especially powerful for docs and mission-driven narratives)

What Investors ACTUALLY Want to See

Spoiler alert: They don't care about your passion.

They care about ROI. They care about your distribution strategy. They care about whether you've thought through the business side or if you're just hoping it all works out.

I'm going to walk you through exactly what documents, projections, and materials you need to have ready before you ever sit down with a potential investor. Because showing up unprepared? That's how you lose deals.

How to Pitch Without Begging

There's a way to ask for money that makes investors excited to be part of your project. And there's a way that makes them run for the hills.

We're going to talk about positioning, language, confidence, and how to present your film as an investment opportunity, not a favor.

Real-World Case Studies

I'm bringing real examples from filmmakers I've coached: projects that have successfully raised funding using the exact strategies we'll discuss. You'll see what worked, what didn't, and how to adapt these approaches for YOUR film.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is perfect for:

• First-time filmmakers who are overwhelmed by the funding process and don't know where to start

• Veteran filmmakers who've made films before but struggled with financing and want a better system

• Producers looking to expand their toolkit and understand the full spectrum of funding options

• Writers and directors who are tired of waiting for someone else to greenlight their project

• Film students at UM who want to bridge the gap between film school and the real world

• Anyone who's serious about turning their script into a funded, produced, distributed film

Whether you're working on a micro-budget passion project or a multi-million-dollar feature, the principles are the same. Raising money for film is a process: and once you understand the process, everything changes.

Let's Talk About What Happens AFTER This Workshop

Here's my goal for you: By the time you leave this workshop on Tuesday night, you should have clarity.

Clarity on which funding sources make sense for YOUR project.
Clarity on what materials you need to create next.
Clarity on your next three action steps.

Because vague dreams don't get funded. Specific plans with clear action steps get funded.

And if you want to go deeper? I offer one-on-one coaching, online courses, and ongoing support for filmmakers who are ready to take this seriously. But this workshop is a great place to start: especially if you're in the Miami area or can make it to UM's campus.

The Struggle is OVER (If You're Willing to Learn)

I truly believe that every filmmaker who has a story worth telling deserves the chance to tell it. But "deserving" isn't enough. You have to be willing to learn the business side.

You have to be willing to replace hope and guesswork with proven strategies and actionable frameworks.

You have to be willing to show up, take notes, ask questions, and then: most importantly: implement what you learn.

Is it time to finally tell the story that's been living in your head?

Then I'll see you Tuesday night.

Event Details (One More Time)

📍 Location: University of Miami, School of Communications
📅 Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
💰 Cost: FREE for Women in Film & Television Florida members and UM students | $10 for non-members

Register Here: https://www.womeninfilmfl.org/event-6546687

This event is sponsored by Women in Film & Television Florida, and I'm honored to be working alongside Betsy Helf Mateu, who's been empowering the next generation of storytellers at UM for years.

Spaces are limited, so if you're serious about independent film financing and you want to learn how to fund your film the RIGHT way, don't wait.

Check out more events and resources here and I'll see you Tuesday night. Bring your questions. Bring your script. Bring your ambition.

Let's get your film funded.

Make Movies. Make Money. Make the World a Better Place.