Your beliefs about money and creativity could be the key to attracting the support your film deserves.
by Carole Dean
It all begins with what you believe.
Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
And that speaks directly to filmmakers like you.
Because if you believe you can fund your film—you’re right. If you believe you can’t—you’re right as well. It’s that simple: everything starts with us.
Our beliefs shape our reality. The way you think about film funding directly determines your experience of it. From the time we were children, we’ve been forming beliefs—and most of us are still unconsciously defending old, outdated ideas today.
Many filmmakers struggle not because opportunities are scarce, but because hidden beliefs about money, success, or self-worth quietly sabotage their efforts. If you’ve ever lost confidence in yourself, that energy can quietly undermine your film before it even begins.
What Are Your Beliefs About Money?
It’s essential to look closely at what you truly believe about money and success.
Do you secretly think that “it’s hard to raise money for films”?
Or do you feel that “money flows easily to creative projects I believe in”?
Your subconscious beliefs determine which of these realities you live in.
Renowned biologist Bruce Lipton, author of The Biology of Belief, explains that our lives are shaped not by DNA, but by our perceptions and beliefs. From a young age, we absorb messages from our environment that define what we think is possible.
Imagine two filmmakers at a fundraising party. One grew up in a family of wealth and abundance, where money and opportunities were always within reach. The other grew up with financial struggles, where resources were scarce and discussing money often caused stress or tension.
In a room full of wealthy donors, the first filmmaker naturally sees possibilities and connections. The second feels out of place, anxious, and unsure how to engage—because that environment is so far removed from what they experienced growing up.
These early beliefs become mental programs. They can hold us back—until we decide to change them.
How to Identify and Replace Limiting Beliefs
Start by making a list of your beliefs about money, success, and filmmaking.
Do you see patterns like:
- “It’s hard to make money.”
- “Only big names get funded.”
- “Grants are impossible to win.”
Recognizing these beliefs is the first step to changing them. Once your subconscious mind has accepted an idea, true or false, it works tirelessly to make that belief real. That’s why it’s so powerful to consciously replace old beliefs with new, empowering ones.
Even though grants have been “cut” for decades, there are still thousands available—and filmmakers win them every year.
Why shouldn’t that be you?
Your Subconscious Mind Is Always Listening
Your subconscious accepts whatever your conscious mind tells it. That means you can teach it to believe new truths—truths that serve your goals.
When I was traveling with my book The Art of Film Funding, I met filmmakers who fell into two clear groups. One group said, “I know I can fund this film.” The other said, “It’s hard to raise money.”
Guess which group succeeded?
That experience inspired me to write The Art of Manifesting: Creating Your Future, because your beliefs create your future.
Once you realize that the real resistance is not from the outside world but from within, you can begin to reshape your life—and your film funding journey—by reshaping your thoughts.
A Powerful Visualization to Reprogram Belief
Neville Goddard, one of my favorite teachers of manifestation, taught that the conscious mind is the only gateway to the subconscious. The subconscious believes everything you imagine vividly and repeatedly.
Try this before you fall asleep tonight:
Picture yourself pitching your film. See the person listening—engaged, smiling, nodding. You’re confident, passionate, and articulate. They reach out and hand you a check for an amount that feels extraordinary to you.
As you visualize, feel the joy and gratitude of that moment. Repeat to yourself:
“Raising money for my film is easy.”
By doing this night after night, you reprogram your subconscious mind. You’re replacing fear and scarcity with ease and abundance.
Before long, you’ll start to notice new opportunities, new connections, and new levels of confidence. You’ll find yourself saying—honestly and joyfully—
“I’m getting generous donations for my film.”
The Truth: You Are the Source
You are the one who decides what’s possible for your film.
You are the source of your creative power and your financial success.
Change your beliefs, and you change your results.
Because once you truly believe you can fund your film—
you can.
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
