The discussion “Alternative Financing: Unlocking the Full Financing Potential of Independent Films” took place on Tuesday, November 4, as part of the 66th TIFF’s Agora Talks. The session was opened by Agora Manager Thanos Stavropoulos who extended a cordial welcome to all attendees and participants, also thanking the Municipality of Thessaloniki for its support, and the Midpoint Institute for a fruitful collaboration. The session’s speakers were Sona Morgenthalova, Program Coordinator at the MIDPOINT Institute, and Juliane Schulze, Strategic Creative Economy Expert.
Soňa Morgenthalova thanked the Agora for the excellent cooperation and gave a brief presentation on the MIDPOINT Institute and its current programs for film professionals, along with its on-demand services. She also mentioned a new workshop focused on A.I., which offers practical guidance for young professionals. She also introduced “MIDPOINT Talent Collections”, a curated database connecting professionals across the film industry. “Our organization offers a wide portfolio of training programs for script development, project development, and professional skill-building,” she noted.
She then handed the floor to Juliane Schulze, highlighting her extensive experience as a board member of Media Deals (European Investor Network) and her advisory work with European institutions on the creative economy and sustainability. Juliane Schulze explored various fields of financial strategies, including private project financing, product placement, patronage/sponsorship, crowdfunding, private equity, and IP. She shared case studies of different investment approaches, underlining the importance of networking, time management and passion-driven investments.
Next, Ms. Schulze examined patronage as a visibility strategy, citing Saint Laurent Productions as a compelling example of how creative partnerships can create new audiences. Turning to crowdfunding, she analyzed the marketing strategy behind Mad Heidi (2022) and the innovative use of blockchain technology to engage investors. “You need to connect on a value base and if this connection has been established you have a long-term relationship that you can expand and build-on», Schulze stated.
The session concluded with producers and MIDPOINT program members Michelle Brøndum (Jante Films, UK), Diana Caravia (Micro Film, Romania), Eliza Ceprăzaru (Point Film, Romania), and Mina Dreki (Marni Films, Greece), who joined the discussion to share their experiences in seeking alternative financing for their projects. The discussion ended with a Q n A, focusing on themes such as building trust between producers and investors, as well as financial strategies that enhance creative independence within the film industry.
