How Indie Filmmakers Can Tap into Crowd Investing to Fund Their Films

“What more powerful fan engagement is there than to actually own a piece of your favorite IP?” – Mark Iserlis, Head of Film at Republic

By Carole Dean

We are standing at the edge of a revolution in filmmaking. And if you’re an independent filmmaker struggling to bring your vision to life, this revolution might just carry your film from dream to distribution.

In a recent episode of The Art of Film Funding Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Iserlis, the trailblazing Head of Film at Republic, an SEC-regulated investment platform that empowers filmmakers to raise money from your audience—and not just donations, but real investments with real financial upside.

Gone are the days when your only funding options were studios, private equity moguls, or high-net-worth individuals. Republic Film opens the doors to millions of fans and supporters around the world who can now invest in your films and share in your success.

And yes, it’s legal. It’s powerful. And it may just be the future of independent cinema.

Let’s dig into what makes Republic Film so transformative and how you, as an indie filmmaker, can leverage this platform to finally get your project made—with your creative control intact.

What Is Republic Film?

Republic Film is part of Republic, a global FinTech platform with nearly 3 million members across 150 countries. Since its founding, Republic has deployed over $2.6 billion into startups, real estate, tech, sports—and now film.

“We’re democratizing,” Mark said, “access to investment opportunities that were traditionally reserved for the wealthy.”

And the difference is simple but groundbreaking: Republic allows both accredited and non-accredited investors to legally invest in private markets—yes, including your next feature, documentary, or web series.

You’ve probably heard of crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. But those rely on donations or perks. Crowd investing, on the other hand, means your fans and supporters actually become financial stakeholders in your film.

That’s a monumental shift.

“Crowdfunding is giving. Crowd investing is owning,” Mark explained.

Thanks to a pivotal piece of legislation—the Obama-era JOBS Act of 2014—new exemptions in U.S. securities law now allow everyday investors to participate in private offerings. Republic navigates all the legal, regulatory, and SEC compliance on your behalf, allowing you to focus on what you do best: storytelling.

Why This Matters for Indie Filmmakers

Let’s face it: most indie filmmakers don’t have access to wealthy investors or studio execs. And even if you do, creative control is often the first thing on the chopping block.

Mark’s vision with Republic Film is to put the power back in the hands of creators.

“You can finally tap your fan base for investment,” he said, “and negotiate your own deals with more leverage because you have built-in support and capital.”

This means:

You don’t need to chase elusive studio meetings.
You don’t have to sacrifice your vision to fit a formula.
You can finally create on your own terms.

And you won’t be doing it alone. Your audience—your community—will be with you every step of the way, not just as cheerleaders, but as stakeholders.

The Third Way: Funding Without Compromise

Traditionally, filmmakers had two options:

Private Equity or High Net Worth Individuals
Studios or Streamers

Now, thanks to Republic, there’s a Third Way—your audience.

Instead of begging a single financier for a check, you can invite hundreds (or thousands) of supporters to invest directly in your project or production company.

And unlike Kickstarter, where your backers walk away with a t-shirt, here they walk away with a piece of your success.

Mark emphasized that Republic Film enables funding for:

Development slates
Standalone features or series
Post-production or P&A
Even new production companies

“This is about co-investing,” Mark told me, “and co-owning. It’s about making something together.”

Robert Rodriguez and Brass Knuckle Films: A Case Study

“Let’s make the most popular genre of films together. Let’s own it.” – Robert Rodriguez

One of Republic Film’s standout successes is Robert Rodriguez’s Brass Knuckle Films.

A legend in independent filmmaking, Rodriguez has always done things his way. With Republic, he took it a step further—launching a new slate of action films and raising $2 million from over 2,000 investors.

Originally, the goal was $1.5 million. But after appearing on major podcasts like Tim Ferriss and Joe Rogan, demand surged. He raised the limit—and sold out again in a single day.

That campaign wasn’t just about the money. It was about the movement.

Each investor wasn’t just a backer—they were a partner. They got the chance to pitch Rodriguez an idea for a film, and he promised to develop one of those ideas as part of the slate.

“People are talking to each other on the campaign page, sharing stories about their connection to Robert and their dreams of filmmaking,” Mark told me. “It’s truly inspiring.”

How It Works: From Vision to Investment

Mark laid out the process clearly:

Build Your Narrative – Craft a compelling story around your film or slate. Why should people invest in you?
Engage Your Community – Use email, social media, podcasts, and live events to mobilize your fanbase.
Launch on Republic – The platform handles the legal filings, investor onboarding, and regulatory compliance.
Raise Capital – Investors come in with small and large amounts—some as low as $100.
Share the Upside – Investors earn returns when your project succeeds financially.

And you still keep the perks:

“Just like Kickstarter, we often offer shout-outs, behind-the-scenes access, props, or even roles in the movie,” Mark added. “In one raise, Eli Roth offered to kill you on screen if you invested at the top tier.”

Talk about incentive!

This Is Your Moment

“The audience is the most important part of a film’s success. Let’s include them in it.” – Mark Iserlis

Filmmaking has always been a collaborative art—but for too long, funding has remained exclusive.

With Republic Film, we’re witnessing a new paradigm—one where fans aren’t just supporters, they’re partners. They have skin in the game. They tell their friends. They buy the tickets. They care about the outcome.

That’s more powerful than any investor pitch.

That’s more meaningful than any studio mandate.

And most importantly—it’s yours.

Final Thoughts for Indie Filmmakers

Here at From the Heart Productions, we’ve always believed in the spirit of independent filmmaking. We know that filmmakers fund films—not films.

That’s why I’m so excited about what Republic Film represents. It’s a beacon of hope, a strategic tool, and a financial engine all rolled into one.

So if you’re:

Tired of gatekeepers
Lacking access to private equity
Sitting on a powerful story that needs to be told

Then I urge you—explore crowd investing.

As Mark said so beautifully:

“This is not just funding. It’s fan-building. It’s future-building.”

Carole Dean is president and founder of From the Heart Productions; a 501(c)3 non-profit that offers the Roy W. Dean Film Grants and fiscal sponsorship for independent filmmakers. She is creator and instructor of Learn Producing: The Ultimate Course for Indie Film Production. Essential classes for indie filmmakers on how to produce their films.

She hosts the weekly podcast, The Art of Film Funding, interviewing those involved in all aspects of indie film production. She is also the author of The Art of Film Funding, 2nd Edition: Alternative Financing Concepts. See IMDB for producing credits