In this episode, ZB Siwek sits down with producer and sales agent Greg Bekkers to dive deep into the world of equity crowdfunding for films. Greg shares his hands-on experience running multiple successful campaigns—raising over $200K on platforms like Wefunder and breaks down exactly what it takes for independent filmmakers to stand out, attract investors, and actually close deals.
We cover:
Greg’s journey from managing actors to producing and film sales
The genres and strategies distributors are backing right now (and which ones they’re avoiding)
How equity crowdfunding really works - legal steps, platforms, timelines, and investor expectations
The importance of lead investors and how to leverage them for trust and momentum
Outreach strategies: LinkedIn, cold emails, Zoom calls, and the art of building relationships
Why filmmakers need to embrace marketing as part of the creative process
Greg’s honest take on mistakes, lessons learned, and why perseverance + community are essential
Whether you’re planning your first raise or looking to improve your next campaign, this conversation gives you practical, battle-tested insights to make your film fundable and profitable.
📌 Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Filmmaking and Funding Strategies 05:32 – The Importance of Sales and in Filmmaking 15:47 – Navigating the Landscape of Film Genres and Market Trends 21:58 – Setting Up an Equity Crowdfunding Campaign 35:55 – Lessons Learned from Crowdfunding Campaigns 42:17 – Building Your Brand in Filmmaking 48:28 – Effective Messaging for Investor Outreach 57:20 – Understanding Investor Calls 01:01:15 – The Role of Lead Investors 01:06:02 – Marketing Strategies for Fundraising 01:10:14 – The Importance of Pre-Campaign Outreach 01:17:17 – Navigating the Crowdfunding Landscape
🎧 Subscribe to Cut to the Deal for more conversations with top industry experts on funding, distributing, and marketing independent films.
Connect with ZB Siwek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zb-siwek-55938442/
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