Kickstarter FilmFund your film.
Fund your film.
Keep your vision
Bring your film to the people who want to see it made. Fund production without waiting for a studio to say yes.
Start your projectStories brought to life by Kickstarter backers
Why filmmakers crowdfund on Kickstarter
A studio is not the only way to move a film forward. Set a goal, invite people to back it, and build an audience while you bring your vision to the screen.
Creative control and independence
Raise the budget to move your film forward without giving up equity, ownership, or creative control.
A built-in audience and community
Turn viewers into active supporters who share the project, follow its progress, and show up for the finished film.
Proof people want to see it
Show future collaborators and distributors that people chose to back your film.
Direct relationships with your fans
Build lasting relationships with supporters and keep them invested in your work beyond this campaign.
We're putting $1 million into independent creators' Kickstarter campaigns.
Selected film projects receive a direct pledge from the Culture Fund. Apply Now
Why filmmakers choose Kickstarter
Daddy Ramazani kept his film independent; Andy Fidoten took his to Tribeca.
From Kickstarter to Tribeca
Watch on YouTube$596M+Pledged to Film
34,000+Films funded
4M+Film backers
How to crowdfund a film on Kickstarter
To crowdfund a film on Kickstarter, set a budget-backed goal, choose rewards you can deliver, and invite viewers to back the project. Backers are charged only if you reach your goal.
- 1
Set your goal and build your campaign
Choose the amount you need to move your film forward, then build a campaign that gives backers a reason to support it.
- 2
Launch and rally your audience
Share the project with your existing community while reaching new supporters across Kickstarter's global community of backers.
- 3
Reach your goal and get funded
Backers are only charged when the project reaches its funding goal, creating a clear target for everyone to rally around.
- 4
Keep your community with you
Stay connected with your backers through production and release, using Kickstarter to communicate with the audience that helped bring the film to life.
Why all-or-nothing works
A clear goal gives people something to rally around. With all-or-nothing funding, filmmakers also know they have the resources they planned for before moving forward.
Creates urgency
A deadline gives audiences a reason to back now.
Builds shared momentum
Every pledge moves the project closer to a visible goal.
Supports a realistic production plan
Move forward knowing you reached the funding goal you set for the project.
Films backed on Kickstarter,
recognized around the world
Films funded on Kickstarter have earned 3 Academy Award wins from 18 nominations, 100+ Sundance selections, and 100+ SXSW premieres.
From a backer-supported film to an Academy Award
The story of Hair Love
Matthew A. Cherry's animated short began with support from Kickstarter backers. In 2020, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
View the Hair Love project
Narrative feature
407% fundedThe Apprentice
Ali Abbasi
When the drama starring Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong hit distribution roadblocks and legal threats, the filmmakers turned to their audience to defend it and get it into theaters. Backers funded the release more than 4x over.
$407,486 pledged6,287 backers
View the campaign
Documentary
132% fundedBill Nye: Science Guy
David Alvarado & Jason Sussberg
Filmmakers David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg invited Bill Nye fans to help make a definitive documentary about his mission to change the world through science. More than 16,000 backers brought the film to life.
$859,425 pledged16,850 backers
View the campaign
Issa Rae
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
Raised about $56K and launched the career behind Insecure
View campaign
Chloé Zhao
Songs My Brothers Taught Me
Kickstarter-backed debut at Sundance 2015, before her Best Director win for Nomadland
View campaign
Spike Lee
Da Sweet Blood of Jesus
$1.42M from 6,421 backers
View campaignKickstarter vs. Seed&Spark
Successful film creators
- Kickstarter
- 34,000+
- Seed&Spark
- 6,000+
Total raised
- Kickstarter
- $596M+
- Seed&Spark
- $95M+
Largest campaign raise
Backer network
- Kickstarter
- 23M+ across creative categories; 4M+ film backers
- Seed&Spark
- Boutique audience (niche film/TV community)
Show all comparison criteria
Post-campaign tools
- Kickstarter
- Late Pledges and Pledge Manager
- Seed&Spark
- None
Funding model
- Kickstarter
- All-or-nothing at 100%
- Seed&Spark
- Greenlit at 80%
Platform fee
- Kickstarter
- 5% if funded
- Seed&Spark
- 0%, backers prompted to tip
Payment processing
- Kickstarter
- ~2.9% + $0.30 per pledge
- Seed&Spark
- ~3% + $0.30 per pledge
What you get with Kickstarter
The platform fee gives you access to Kickstarter’s audience and the tools and expertise that support your campaign.
Reach
23M+ backers and the discovery engine that connects them to your film
Tools
Pledge Over Time, Late Pledges, and Pledge Manager, built to raise your total
Marketing
Opportunities to get your campaign in front of more potential backers
Distribution & support
Film partnerships, a dedicated Film team, and opportunities such as Tubi and Forward Funds
Everything you need to plan your campaign
Start with the essentials. The Film team's guides and stories cover how to prepare, launch, and finish a successful film campaign.
Watch
The Modern Filmmaker's Guide to Crowdfunding
A practical walkthrough of how to run a crowdfunding campaign for your film, from early planning through launch.
Watch on YouTube
Watch
Mastering Film Finance
Film leaders break down the practical choices behind financing an independent film and how to find the right approach for your project.
Watch on YouTubeGetting started: how to run a film campaign
Everything you need to know before you launch, from campaign logistics to understanding who actually backs films on Kickstarter.
Read moreAfter your campaign ends
Learn how to move from a funded campaign to a finished film while keeping your backers along for the journey.
Read moreFilm stories, case studies, and open calls
Explore stories and lessons from filmmakers who used Kickstarter to bring their work to audiences around the world.
Read moreFiscally sponsored? Bring your sponsor with you
If your film has a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, you can run your Kickstarter campaign through them and keep the benefits for your backers and grantors.
How fiscal sponsorship works on KickstarterPut your film in front of people who want it made
FAQs
What happens if I do not hit my Kickstarter goal?
Nothing is charged. Backers keep their money, you owe no fees, and many creators regroup and relaunch with a sharper goal.
Why is all-or-nothing better for filmmakers?
It protects both sides. Backers are only charged if the film is fully funded, which makes them more willing to pledge, and you never start production with a partial budget.
Does Kickstarter work for small film campaigns?
Yes. Fleabag began as a £3,955 campaign. Nia DaCosta's Little Woods short raised $5,100 from 72 backers before becoming her first feature.
Can I keep raising money after my campaign ends?
Yes. Late Pledges let funded projects keep accepting pledges after the deadline, and Pledge Manager handles add-ons, surveys, shipping, and taxes in one place.
Does Kickstarter have a film-specific team?
Yes. A dedicated Film team is here to work with film creators on goal-setting, launch strategy, and promotion across Kickstarter's channels.
How much does Kickstarter charge for a film project?
Kickstarter charges a 5% platform fee only if your project reaches its funding goal. Payment processing fees also apply and vary by location. If the project is not funded, there are no fees.
See current Kickstarter fees