In this episode, ZB Siwek sits down with producer and sales agent Greg Bekkers to dive deep into the world of equity crowdfunding for films. Greg shares his hands-on experience running multiple successful campaigns—raising over $200K on platforms like Wefunder and breaks down exactly what it takes for independent filmmakers to stand out, attract investors, and actually close deals.

We cover:

• Greg’s journey from managing actors to producing and film sales 
• The genres and strategies distributors are backing right now (and which ones they’re avoiding)
• How equity crowdfunding really works - legal steps, platforms, timelines, and investor expectations
• The importance of lead investors and how to leverage them for trust and momentum
• Outreach strategies: LinkedIn, cold emails, Zoom calls, and the art of building relationships
• Why filmmakers need to embrace marketing as part of the creative process
• Greg’s honest take on mistakes, lessons learned, and why perseverance + community are essential
• Whether you’re planning your first raise or looking to improve your next campaign, this conversation gives you practical, battle-tested insights to make your film fundable and profitable.

Greg Bekkers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbekkers/

📌 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Filmmaking and Funding Strategies
05:32 – The Importance of Sales and in Filmmaking
15:47 – Navigating the Landscape of Film Genres and Market Trends
21:58 – Setting Up an Equity Crowdfunding Campaign
35:55 – Lessons Learned from Crowdfunding Campaigns
42:17 – Building Your Brand in Filmmaking
48:28 – Effective Messaging for Investor Outreach
57:20 – Understanding Investor Calls
01:01:15 – The Role of Lead Investors
01:06:02 – Marketing Strategies for Fundraising
01:10:14 – The Importance of Pre-Campaign Outreach
01:17:17 – Navigating the Crowdfunding Landscape

🎧 Subscribe to Cut to the Deal for more conversations with top industry experts on funding, distributing, and marketing independent films.

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