The Film Finance & Distribution Podcast
Whirleybird Productions presents the Film Finance and Distribution Podcast: a deep dive into the business backbone of the cinematic world. We engage in insightful conversations with accomplished filmmakers, seasoned entertainment lawyers, and pivotal industry insiders. Our goal? To demystify the complex realms of film finance and distribution, equipping the next generation of filmmakers, producers, and cinema enthusiasts with knowledge about success stories, safe working practices, script acquisition, start-ups and running a production company, insights into sales and distribution contract pitfalls, budgeting techniques, tax benefits, funding sources, artificial intelligence and filmmaking, addressing skills shortages, the importance of training, intellectual property rights, copyright intricacies, and the art of successful collaboration.
Episodes
My guest today is Chris Maher, an actor, producer, and investor with a background in economics and policy. After travelling the world working with major organisations, he returned to Chicago where he balanced a trading career with building his film craft. In 2020 he co-founded MC Films, and since then has produced and appeared in more than 20 films, including Blowback, Mojave Diamonds, and the upcoming ...
This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Fabian Farina and Mariano Mattei — the founders of Four Olives Productions, an award-winning indie film company based in the heart of Philadelphia.
We dive into what it’s really like working in Philly’s film scene, how they got their films on to streaming platforms, and the role a good publicist can play in landing industry exposure an...
What happens when you move your entire production process over to AI? In this episode, we sit down with Eline Van Der Velden, Founder and CEO of award-winning AI production company Particle6, to explore how she did just that — and what it means for the future of content creation film and television. From AI influencers and in-house tools to cost-saving, we cover it all. Whether you're curious about industry disruption, or where AI ...
We’re honoured to have a truly remarkable guest with us today—Cindy Mich! Cindy is an award-winning journalist and media personality who has made waves as both a filmmaker and the founder of the NYC-based independent film festival, Art is Alive, now celebrating its seventh successful year. Beyond her festival work, Cindy is a prolific writer, contributing to three digital publications while also owning and operating her own magazin...
Welcome to today's episode! We have Derry Shillitto on the show, the writer and director behind the feature film "The Correction Unit." This psychologically thrilling and cinematic movie explores the question: What happens to the most vulnerable in society when the most powerful embrace AI? With intense and exciting characters, "The Correction Unit" promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. Stay tuned as Derry shares ...
Silvia Schmidt is an experienced entertainment lawyer who will take us through the essential contracts you need for filmmaking and what to watch out for. Silvia studied Law and French at Trinity College Dublin and Sciences Po Paris, graduating with First Class Honours. She then pursued Legal and Political Theory at University College London, earning numerous awards and scholarships along the way.
After training in finance law at C...
Paul Scanlan is an Emmy Award-winning co-founder and CEO of Legion M the world's first fan-owned entertainment company, a pioneering endeavour that puts fans at the centre of everything they do. Legion M is dedicated to discovering and producing original and groundbreaking films and television content. Under Scanlan's leadership, the company is transforming the way content gets made, involving fans in the creative process and deliv...
In this episode as we explore the journey of Michael Guerrini, the Founder of YOTKO Productions and YOTKO Apparel. Michael, a passionate filmmaker is on a mission to turn Perth into a new Hollywood. Despite being relatively new to the industry, his ambition and creativity know no bounds.
Michael specializes in directing, cinematography, editing, and colour grading. His first short film, "Full Circle," is a black-and-white neo-noir...
In this episode, we’re excited to welcome back Shaun Seneviratne, writer, director, and producer of the micro-budget feature film "Ben and Suzanne: A Reunion in 4 Parts," which premiered at SXSW 2024. Joining him is his key collaborator, the talented producer Doron Jè Paul Mitchell. Together, they'll discuss film distribution, the evolving definition of independent cinema, and share behind-the-scenes insights from their film, shot ...
Writer/Director/Producer
Shaun Seneviratne's raw, highly relatable debut feature, "Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts," held its world premiere in the Narrative Feature Competition at SXSW 2024. It was filmed on location in Sri Lanka on a micro-budget.
In this next episode, Shaun Seneviratne discusses filming on location, marketing a feature film, recommended budget allocations for marketing, choosing the right PR company, tips ...
Whether you are an industry professional, a new or established filmmaker with compelling stories, cautionary tales, industry insights, or unique funding and distribution experiences, we invite you to email filmfinancepodcast@gmail.com to potentially feature on our show; please include screener links if available, and we'll respond to every submission.
Join Helen Curston for a riveting podcast episode featuring Gareth Ellis-Unwin, the acclaimed Academy and BAFTA Award-winning Producer and CEO of Bedlam Film Productions. This in-depth interview delves into Gareth's remarkable journey in the film industry, highlighting his significant achievements and ongoing contributions.
Gareth's career took off with the BAFTA-nominated British thriller Exam in 2009, leading to international acc...
David Keating stands out as a distinguished filmmaker, celebrated for his exceptional work in films such as 'The Last of the High Kings' and 'Wake Wood.' His contributions to cinema have not only garnered critical acclaim but also brought him awards. Beyond his achievements in filmmaking, David has also made a significant impact in education as a respected lecturer at the National Film School in Ireland. His expertise is further sh...
In this engaging episode, Clare Cahill dives into her latest research areas, exploring how to revolutionize virtual production to make it more affordable for indie filmmakers. She delves into film funding, examining the effectiveness of crowdfunding in building an audience base, and demystifies the true meaning of 'independent film,' while also differentiating between small and large film budgets.
Clare Cahill, the founder and dire...
Emily Best is a notable producer in the film industry, and the dynamic and visionary CEO and Founder of Seed&Spark, a unique platform designed to foster diversity, inclusivity, and connectivity in the entertainment industry. Seed&Spark, empowers filmmakers with control over their creative work allowing truly independent cinema to be produced. This platform serves as both a crowdfunding and production support tool for indepe...
Geraldine is a seasoned industry professional with four decades of rich experience. From her public affairs role with the Motion Picture Association in Europe to her role as a Senior Advisor for the Film distributors’ Association. Geraldine has championed countless film publicity campaigns, collaborating with major US studios and numerous global independent distributors, and she's also armed with a Law degree. An incredible journey...
In our upcoming episode, we're thrilled to welcome BAFTA-nominated film & television producer, Farah Abushwesha. Dive deep as Farah unravels the complexities of navigating the independent film industry, shedding light on film funding strategies unique to the UK and imparting wisdom on managing stress in this demanding field. Plus, get an insider's glimpse into her collaboration with Netflix in New York City for the celebrated f...
Inspiring Filmmaker, and Founder of the streaming platform Newyonder, JON CLEAVE.
Jon shares knowledge and advice on pitching, carbon neutral productions and B-Corps as well as a wealth of information learnt throughout his fascinating career.
Newyonder: https://www.newyonder.earth/ https://linktr.ee/newyonder
Jon Cleave Twitter: https://twitter.com/joncleave?lang=en Jon Cleave Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joncleave/?hl=en
Elektra Yao is an experienced, and dedicated lawyer based in New York City whose mission is to serve artists and creative professionals by helping them secure artists visas, cement their brands, and monetize their artistry.
In this episode Elektra shares valuable information on green cards and business visas for the US.
Yao Law Group: https://www.yaolawgroup.com/#welcome
Yao Law Group YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/...
This interview with the award-winning documentary filmmaker, Rich Felgate focuses on sourcing funding as a first-time filmmaker through private investment and the Patagonia grant, as well as navigating sales and distribution deals with Espresso Media.
Finite: The Climate of Change: https://www.finite-film.com/
Rich Felgate Twitter: https://twitter.com/richfelgate?lang=en
Finite Editor Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ariadnafvm
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