What if the only thing standing between your script and a real offer was a pitch deck?
by Carole Dean
This may change the way you think about getting your film funded—and it all starts with a story.
Meet Irina Chernikina, a powerhouse filmmaker who transitioned from a medical career in Russia to directing, producing, writing, and editing feature films in the U.S. She cracked the code on packaging films—and now she’s teaching others how to do the same.
Irina is the founder of a rapidly growing Facebook group called Film Funding Group, where she educates indie filmmakers on how to develop pitch-ready packages. She’s landed presale offers, works across genres, and is currently producing a lineup of feature films with active investor interest.
In my interview with Irina on my The Art of Film Funding Podcast, she told me her journey didn’t begin with connections or funding—it began with a VHS tape.
“I Watched Alien on a Bootleg VHS in Soviet Moscow… and I Knew.”
Irina grew up during the Cold War in Moscow, where Western films were banned. But thanks to her uncle an avid film lover she had access to black market VHS tapes of American films. Her favorite? Alien. Strong female leads, sci-fi, action—those were her roots.
After pursuing medicine due to a lack of access to the film industry in Russia, Irina moved to the U.S., learned English from scratch, and eventually followed her heart into film.
“I figured, I’m in the capital of filmmaking. If I don’t follow this dream now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
That choice led to two decades of experience across directing, producing, editing, and writing—and one profound realization.
“I Could Do It All… Except Fund It.”
Even with 20 years in the industry, Irina admits:
“Funding was the biggest mystery of all.”
That changed when she joined the Intentional Filmmaking Class with Tom Malloy and Carol Dean (From the Heart Productions). There, she learned how to build a real film funding package—and landed a presale offer for her feature Bum Next Door.
“For the first time in 20 years, I understood the business side of film. That changed everything.”
Why Irina Started the Film Funding Group
After her breakthrough, Irina realized she wasn’t alone—many experienced filmmakers still didn’t understand packaging, pitching, or how to protect their IP. So, she launched Film Funding Group, a free educational community on Facebook that has grown to 45,000+ filmmakers.
What she discovered was surprising:
“A lot of filmmakers weren’t supporting each other. I was tagging everyone to support crowdfunding posts—and many got upset!”
But she stayed consistent, continued posting valuable information, hosted live workshops, and brought in real professionals to teach the legal, business, and pitching side of filmmaking.
Now, the group is a hub for education, networking, and inspiration—with a monthly online workshop covering topics like:
- Crowdfunding strategies
- IP protection & entertainment law
- Investor outreach
- Working with fiscal sponsors
- Packaging your film for pre-sales
Let’s Talk About Packaging: What You’re Probably Doing Wrong
Irina has now helped dozens of filmmakers build professional, investor-ready packages. Here are some of the biggest mistakes she sees:
- Mixing Pitch Decks with Business Plans
“A pitch deck should never include financial projections. That violates securities law if not done correctly.”
- Starting with a Budget Instead of a Breakdown
“You can’t make a budget without first doing a script breakdown and schedule. It’s all connected.”
- Putting Disclaimers on Pitch Decks
“The moment a producer sees a legal disclaimer on your deck, they’ll close it. That’s what business plans are for.”
- Skipping Marketing and Legal in Budgets
“Many indie budgets leave out marketing and legal altogether. That’s a red flag for any investor.”
So What Should Be in a Strong Film Package?
✅ A properly formatted script
✅ A breakdown of scenes, characters, and elements
✅ A real shooting schedule
✅ A professional budget (not a guess)
✅ A compelling, visual pitch deck (without legalese)
✅ A business plan with financial projections, comps, and ROI pathways
✅ Bonus: An AI-backed data report on streaming revenue potential (Irina uses Largo AI)
“When I’m done packaging a project, it’s production-ready. You could shoot it tomorrow.”
Irina charges $5,550 for her full packaging service. It includes everything: script consultation, breakdown, budget, pitch deck, business plan, and Largo AI reports. All materials are editable—so you own and control your content, no strings attached.
Why Your Presentation Matters More Than Your Script
At the American Film Market, Irina landed a pre-sale offer without anyone reading her screenplay. Her pitch deck and verbal presentation sealed the deal.
“It was a little shocking—they didn’t read my script. They offered based on my pitch.”
Let that sink in.
Of course, your script must be great—it’s your blueprint. But people give money to people, not screenplays. You need:
- Confidence in your story
- Mastery of your pitch
- Knowledge of your audience
- A professional, polished package
And yes, you’ll need to defend your budget. As Carol Dean says:
“If I ask why your DP is costing $20,000, you better know the answer.”
What’s Next for Irina?
Her goal is simple: empower filmmakers to become truly independent.
She believes the key to surviving today’s changing market is community + education. Her group helps filmmakers bypass traditional gatekeepers, use AI to enhance their financial data, and build real relationships with collaborators and supporters.
“I don’t just package films—I teach people how to do it. I want them to be able to do it again on their next project.”
Final Advice from Irina
- Invest in a good entertainment attorney. (Irina recommends Robert Siegel in NY.)
- Start building trust with supporters and small investors. It grows over time.
- Don’t wait for the gatekeepers. Create your own audience.
- Your film is a business. Treat it like one.
Want to Work with Irina?
You can reach her directly to inquire about packaging services or to join the Film Funding Group:
📩 Email: IrinaChernikinaConsulting@gmail.com
🌐 Facebook Group: Film Funding Group
Whether you’re just starting or polishing a final draft, packaging is the key to selling your film. Don’t pitch without it.
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
