Film Funding Pathways Study

Film Funding Pathways Study

Powered by CineSparq
Help Us Shape the Future of Film Funding

The Film Funding Pathways Study is part of CineSparq’s initiative to build smarter, data-driven systems that connect filmmakers to the funding they deserve.

We’re gathering insights from filmmakers at every level to understand how projects move from idea to investment; and where the process breaks down.

Your responses will directly shape new tools, resources, and pathways that make funding more accessible, transparent, and equitable for creative storytellers worldwide.

Time: About 3 - 5 minutes

Confidential: Your responses are used only for research and platform development.

Optional: You’ll have the option at the end to take part in a brief follow-up conversation, and potentially become a CineSparq beta-tester.
About You

These questions help us identify patterns and experiences across different backgrounds. Your responses are anonymous and analyzed in aggregate to ensure our product design and future CineSparq features align with user needs.
Where do you live? (helps us see where needs may vary by region)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2
Zip CodeCityState
Which role best describes you?*

ActorCinematographerDirectorEditorOther CrewProducerWriter
Age Range (helps us understand which age groups are most active)*

Under 1818–2425–3435–4445–5455–6465+Prefer not to say
Gender (helps us analyze filmmaking trends)*

FemaleMaleNonbinaryPrefer not to say
Race or Ethnicity (helps us understand who’s represented among participants.)*

Asian or Pacific IslanderBlack or African descentHispanic or LatinxIndigenous or NativeMiddle Eastern or North AfricanMultiracialWhite or European descentPrefer not to say
Career Level*

Emerging (just starting or developing first projects)Mid-level (some completed projects or small funding wins)Established (multiple completed projects, consistent funding access)Professional / Industry (working full-time or producing regularly)
How would you describe your filmmaking activity?*

Hobby or passion project (no income goals)Aspiring professional (developing work toward paid opportunities)Part-time professional (some income from film-related work)Full-time professional (primary source of income)
Industry Engagement

The Industry Engangement section explores your experience as a filmmaker. Your responses will help us understand how filmmakers approach financing, what knowledge gaps exist, and where better tools or guidance could make the process more effective.
What type of work are you most interested in developing?*

Branded / corporate projectsDocumentaryDocu-seriesNarratiave Feature FilmSeries (TV or web fiction)Short filmVertical series (for mobile/social platforms)Other
What are the biggest 3 development challenges you face? (select up to 3)*

Balancing creativity and businessBudgeting and scheduling realisticallyCreating Original/Marketable projectsFinding the right team or collaboratorsKnowing what information to trustNot knowing what I don't know (blind spots)Time management or burnoutTranslating vision into a clear plan
If you’ve secured funding before, what were the funding sources? (Select all that apply)*

Personal savings or self-fundingGrants or fellowshipsCrowdfundingPrivate investorsProduction company or studioBrand partnership or sponsorshipNot Applicable, I've never secured funding
What are the biggest 3 funding challenges you face?*

Confidence in pitchingCreating investor materials (deck, lookbook, etc.)Lack of credibility or track recordNetworking or industry accessUnderstanding what investors wantFinding aligned investors or funders
How familiar are you with how film investors evaluate & select the projects they support?*

1 - Not at all familiar2 - Slightly familiar3 - Somewhat familiar4 - Familiar5 - Very familiar
Filmmaker Support

This section looks at the types of tools, guidance, and resources filmmakers find most valuable. Your responses will help us align CineSparq’s features and support services with what filmmakers actually need to move their projects forward.
What sources or methods do you use to learn what it takes to make your projects funder-ready? (choose up to 3 options)*

Books, Podcasts & Blog PostsFilm schools or university programsIndustry organizations or labs (e.g., Sundance, Film Independent)Mentors or professional networksPaid online courses or workshopsTrial and error / self-teachingYouTube or free online tutorials
If a platform could help you verify your project's investor-readiness and connect you to interested funders, how valuable would that be to you?*

1 - Not At All Valuable2 - Slightly Valuable3 - Somewhat Valuable4 - Valuable5 - Extremely Valuable
If there were a platform designed to help filmmakers get funded, which features would be most valuable to you? (Select up to 3)*

Access to verified investors and fundersAI-powered pitch deck or lookbook builderBudget and financial planning toolsData or analytics on what gets fundedExpert feedback on project materialsLearning library or micro-courses on funding strategyNetworking or collaboration space for vetted filmmakersStep-by-step roadmap to prepare a project for investorsTemplates and checklists for production planning
Follow-Up

We’re inviting filmmakers to help shape the future of film funding and development. If you’re open to a brief follow-up chat, please share your contact info below.
Name

First NameLast Name
Email Address
example@example.com
Should be Empty:

Film Funding Pathways Study

About You

Industry Engagement

Filmmaker Support

Follow-Up