How do we finance our films? It’s one thing to do write it, pre-plan the shoot, can it, score, edit and finalize the product… and entirely another thing to actually get it into the eyeballs of people who care to view it.. and pray or repent or worship or activate as a result!

Do movies that move: “Abba. Hear my prayer. Make this film Yours. Use it to move the people who view it. Lead them to a life of prayer and praise. Cause them to turn from their sin and towards the life and light of Your Son, Yeshua. Lord, use my film to turn couch potatoes into life-long activists for truth. Build your eternal kingdom through this film, Abba!”

Todays “DIY distribution” allows us to start “small” using the internet. We have been given HUGE access to the actual purchasers of our products by comparison with what was available to movie makers less than 10 years back.

An interesting formula (subject to change) might include (but not be limited to) -

This digital distribution model – with a fraction of the money and effort it took 10 years ago – gives us great hope for a breakthrough and the possible “big-time.” We can secure a healthy return on our investment of creativity and labor by simply targeting our people consistently with our story and DVD or digital product.

But what if we could finance the film with “old-school” big dollars and actually distribute it into movie houses and DVD stores (think, Walmart)? That could be sweet, too!

Real sweet.

But HOW?

There’s a new kid on the block that might hold some answers This NYTimes article talks about “Kickstarter.”

But before you rush in and read that one, I want to say something about “micro-financing” and the Christian community.

In this “information age” we, as believers in the One who gives wisdom from heaven freely, should not limit our horizons to resources that are either blatantly non-Christian or who refuse to sustain a testimony of King Yeshua in the public arena.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.” James 1:17

Imagine working with other passionate believers who sustain Kingdom activities through efforts  on the internet.. and “google ‘em up!” And, if you can’t find what you’re looking for  -  make it happen!

Also see the Christian micro-financiers, the1010project, featured in my friend, Sid McGregor’s film, One+One – A Human Network (Facebook). Good people, indeed.

- Tom “Toma” Chaffer