Financing

And...we're off! The 2026 Cannes Film Festival is in full swing, and Stage 32 is all over the Croisette! For those of you who weren't able to make it to France this year, we want to make sure that you, too, are part of the action. Stop what you're doing right now, pick up your phone, and go follow our fearless leader, Richard "RB" Botto, and Managing Director Amanda Toney: Instagram @stage32 @rbwalksintoabar X @stage32 @rbwalksintoabar Facebook @stage32   We are LIV...

The Cannes Film Festival is almost here, Creative Army! In just a few short weeks, the global film community will once again gather on the Croisette for one of the most important, electric, and opportunity-filled events in our industry, the Cannes Film Festival and the Marché du Film. And this year marks something special for us at Stage 32. We are proud to be returning for our 12th year as the official Education Partner of the Cannes Marché du Film. For over a decade, we have worked side...

In the captivating world of filmmaking, securing financing is often a pivotal step in bringing creative visions to life. However, the process of finding suitable investors can sometimes resemble navigating a maze filled with hidden pitfalls. In recent years, the call for transparency in film finance has grown louder, and for good reason. Filmmakers, both seasoned professionals and aspiring creators, are frequently approached by individuals or entities offering funding opportunities that appear...

As we get closer to the Cannes Film Festival and Marché du Film, kicking off in just a couple of weeks, I want to take a moment to share two of the most exciting updates shaping this year’s market experience. As many of you know, Stage 32 is proud to be returning for our 12th year as the official Education Partner of the Cannes Marché du Film, and every year we look closely at how the market is evolving so we can better prepare you to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. This...

As an independent producer, I'm always planning my next project. With a stack of screenplays (many of which are my own), and no Mr. Moneytree waiting to spread his love, it can be challenging. This is why I've taken the Robert Rodriguez approach when it comes to filmmaking. For those of you unfamiliar, Robert Rodriguez's first feature film, El Mariachi, had no crew. And almost no budget. At a meager 7k, he was the writer, director, cinematographer, location scout, sound, and editor. With inflati...

The data doesn't lie. What producers and buyers want right now is different than what writers write. They want scripts that are efficient. Scripts that can attract talent and directors. Scripts where the story doesn't just move forward…it is propelled forward.Catapulted. Every scene earning its place. Every page keeping the reader hooked and turning to the next one. Lean. Mean. Purposeful. I recently spoke with a literary manager whose sentiment echoed what we've been hearing consistently ac...

Happy Sunday, Creative Army! Let’s kick things off with a huge shoutout to everyone who has already jumped into this month’s Introduce Yourself Weekend. Thousands of creatives from around the world are connecting, sharing their stories, and building relationships that can lead to collaborations, opportunities, and lifelong friendships. If you haven’t made your introduction yet, you still have time. Head over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge before the weekend wraps. Be bold. Introduce yourse...

It's been more than a month since WIFTI chapters from around the world gathered in Adare, Ireland, for the 2026 WIFTI Summit, International Women's Day has come and gone, and now we’re almost at the end of Women's History Month. But what have we actually learned? What stuck? What still stings? And where do we go from here? This month, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the ideas and conversations that surround this month and ask you to reflect too. Because the truth is, reflection withou...

Happy Thursday, Stage 32 Community! As we head into Spring 2026, there’s something I want to ask you: Are you moving forward with intention… or waiting for the “right moment” to start? If you’ve been feeling stuck, unsure of your next step, or like you’re creating in a vacuum, I want to personally invite you to this month’s Stage 32 Community Open House. This will be our final FREE Open House event until this summer, so you don't want to miss it. Wednesday, March 25th at 12:00 pm PT!...

Sometimes a show takes an already beloved story and launches it into an entirely new level of cultural impact. That’s exactly what happened with HEATED RIVALRY. Adapted from Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changer romance novel series, the show already had a passionate readership behind it. But when the six-episode series premiered in November 2025, it didn’t just satisfy existing fans, it exploded into a global phenomenon, dominating streaming charts, expanding its audience dramatically, and spa...