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How often do you find yourself scrolling endlessly for something to watch, only to wonder ten minutes in, How did this ever get made? Perhaps you’ve had a similar thought after walking out of the latest blockbuster.
For a while now, it’s felt like Hollywood’s major studios and streamers have been in a creative rut, churning out franchise sequels to satisfy their algorithms or the next earnings call.
Well, what if the audience got to play a direct part in which films get made—and share in their financial success? Republic is making that happen with our first deal launching today…
Welcome to the world of independent film. Independent films are developed, produced, and—most importantly—financed by private individuals or production companies. As a result, they champion emerging talent, take risks that most studios won’t, and truly shape culture. And when they get it right, they can earn venture-sized returns.
Think of classics like Rocky, Pulp Fiction, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Napoleon Dynamite, American Psycho, and Slumdog Millionaire —all born outside the studio system, yet all became major hits while generating exponential box office revenues.
A24’s first film investment was a $1.5 million gamble without a known director, intellectual property, or cast. That film was Moonlight—which went on to gross $65 million and win the Oscar for Best Picture. (A similar creative bet paid off with Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won seven Oscars last year.)
Paranormal Activity was famously made for $15,000 and raked in nearly $200 million. Today, the horror franchise is closing in on a billion dollars. In 2017, its producer Jason Blum made Get Out, marking Jordan Peele’s directorial debut and turning a $4.5 million budget into a $255 million box office hit—and earning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Independent films are also the starting point for many great directors. Greta Gerwig wouldn’t have made Barbie without first directing Lady Bird. Christopher Nolan wouldn’t have made Oppenheimer without first directing Memento. Both of their first films were independent and financed for under $10 million.
Like venture capital, film investing is not without risks. After all, this is art: there’s no guarantee that a development idea makes it to production, a film will be picked up for distribution or resonates at the box office—meaning film investors can and do lose money.
So why do people back films? Because when a film hits, it’s not just about the financial rewards—it’s about the enduring impact on culture. That’s what makes it so exciting.
Independent investors are not just funding a film—they are actively engaged in its creation from the ground floor: watching the script come to life, meeting the cast, visiting the set, attending the premiere, and even seeing their name in the credits.
Now, imagine if entire audiences, communities, and fans could also invest directly in the projects they want to see in the world—and share in the financial success. This level of engagement has the potential to drive the bottom line (generating buzz and ticket sales) and give artists new avenues to create without compromise.
That’s why we’re so proud to announce our new Republic film vertical. We’ve curated a series of film raises that allow almost everyone to invest, from script to screen.
Whether you're interested in the development of a slate of films, the production of a single film, or the distribution and marketing of a completed project, you’ll be able to back a story you love.
Our first project is open for investment now. It’s from a leading independent production company behind a number of legendary films you’ll recognize.
Check out this deal and more coming soon at www.republic.com/film.
Let's make a movie!
Marc Iserlis is Head of Film at Republic. His producing credits include Hotel Mumbai (2019), Gone in the Night (2022), Late Bloomers (2023), and Dalíland (2023). He is also a co-director and co-showrunner of a cross-cultural true crime documentary currently in production.
Investment in films and other entertainment properties carries specific risks. See more details here.
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