Financing / Crowdfunding

From all facets of a traditional raise to soft money to crowdfunding strategies, this is the place to discuss, share content and offer tips and advice regarding raising funds for a project.

Cannes Film Festival 2026 Stage 32 Meetup (OFFICIAL)!

Cannes Film Festival 2026 Stage 32 Meetup (OFFICIAL)!

In-Person at Cannes Film Festival

Those who have attended Cannes over the last decade know that the Stage 32 Cannes Meetup has become one of the most anticipated and talked-about gatherings of the entire festival. It’s where real connections are made, collaborations begin, and the global creative community comes together in a meaningful way.

This year, we’re excited to bring that experience to a new home.

For 2026, the Stage 32 Cannes Meetup will be held as part of our Stage 32 Pop-Up Bar Event: RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar, where we’ll be taking over the iconic Brown Sugar Gastro Pub for the full weekend. Located in the heart of Cannes on the Carré d’Or, Brown Sugar is one of the festival’s most well-known and beloved gathering spots, making it the perfect setting to combine the magic of Cannes with the magic of Stage 32.

We couldn’t be prouder to partner with Brown Sugar's owner, Gary, to create an unforgettable experience for our community.

Join Stage 32 Founder & CEO Richard “RB” Botto, Managing Director Amanda Toney, and Head of Community Ashley Smith, along with creatives and industry professionals from around the world, for an evening of connection, conversation, and opportunity.

If you’ll be attending Cannes and are interested in volunteering with the Stage 32 team during the festival, please email Ashley at Community@Stage32.com.

Event Details:

Event: Stage 32 Cannes 2026 Meetup

Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026

Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm local Cannes time

Location: RB & Gary’s Brown Sugar

Click here to RSVP Now: https://www.stage32.com/meetups/2070/Cannes-Film-Festival-2026-Stage-32-Meetup-OFFICIAL

Brown Sugar offers a standout selection of beer and wine, including Brewdog Punk IPA on tap, a locally brewed English-style Pale Ale, Belgian beers, and traditional German and French lagers. Their wine list highlights small independent growers, with most selections exclusive within Cannes, and they’ve built a reputation for expertly crafted gin offerings.

We hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable night in Cannes!


Baron Rothschild
The Deal Doesn’t Break at Closing—It Breaks at Conception

Most people think deals fall apart during negotiation, due diligence, or closing. They don’t. Deals break upstream, long before the term sheet ever appears. A deal collapses the moment the structure is unclear, the risk is unlocated, or the capital stack is treated as a reaction instead of a design....

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Liked by David Taylor and 2 others

Baron Rothschild
" The Capital Stack Is Not Your Investor—It’s Your Instrument "

Most founders treat capital like a personality instead of a structure. They chase “the right investor,” “the right partner,” or “the right check,” but upstream finance doesn’t start with people—it starts with architecture. When you design the capital stack as an instrument instead of a hope, you st...

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David Taylor

Good post and a key lesson for many.

Baron Rothschild

David, appreciate that. It’s one of those lessons that only becomes obvious after you’ve lived through a few unstable deals. Once you start treating the capital stack as architecture instead of person...

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Liked by Benjamin Longo and 2 others

Benjamin Longo
First Short Film: Body Count

Hello everyone! This is my first post here, I'm fairly new to Stage32! But I'm also extra new to crowdfunding and financing. I am currently trying to gain funds for my first short film entitled: Body Count. That being said, I am also looking for "producers" to help support my project.

Some info abou...

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David Taylor

Perhaps you should rewrite the info and tell people more about the story ‘a question’ isn’t very exciting. Use the 35 words or less better. Create a fabulous logline. Like the title and the visual. Good luck

Tobias Elmore
“Sordid tales from the land of blood & honey...” [Feature in search of Investors]

“Tellers of Woe” is a feature length, Neo-Southern Gothic horror/fantasy anthology that chases an 'Old School', 'Noir' feel while leaning into modern stories and themes that will draw in modern audiences. The project features 4, very distinct, unique stories that can touch on 'hot button' issue with...

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Tobias Elmore

Teaser:

Ekaterina Pavlova
Looking for Financing & Co-Production Partners for Animated Sci-Fi Project

Hi everyone!

My name is Ekaterina, and I’m an independent creator currently attending the Marché du Film in Cannes.

I’m developing an original animated sci-fi/drama project called Ideal Energy Winner — a character-driven story blending science fiction, political tension, cultural identity, and emotio...

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Gabrielle Beattie
Seeking Financing Connections - Developing Original Workplace Mockumentary

Hi everyone! I’m currently developing Schnoster Industries, a character-driven mockumentary workplace comedy set inside a dysfunctional family-run toilet paper company. The series follows Tessa Schnoster as she struggles to save the company — and prove herself — before losing control of it to her hi...

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Seeking Executive Producer / Development Partner – Children’s TV IP ($65K raise)

I’m seeking an Executive Producer or experienced development partner to help finance and package a children’s television pitch project.

We are raising $65,000 to complete a professional pitch package / proof-of-concept for an original children’s IP (script, pitch deck, budget already completed).

Struc...

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From Children’s Book to Animation: Learning the Development Journey

Hello everyone, I’m currently developing “Charlie’s Magical Adventures,” a children’s story project inspired by my real cat and originally published as a book. My long-term vision is to grow it into a larger animated and family entertainment world.

As someone still learning about the industry, I wou...

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Abdulkadir Efe
Developing a Sci-Fi Psychological Thriller Universe

I’m currently developing an original sci-fi psychological thriller project focused on AI ethics, survival systems, and cinematic worldbuilding.

As an emerging creator, I’m exploring future crowdfunding and proof-of-concept opportunities while continuing to build the project’s screenplay, visual con...

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Ilanna Mandel

Hi: I really like your concept. I am also a creator developing a sci fi series called COSMIC SPARK about the force of creation and its relationship with humans on earth.

Abidoye Ezekiel
Seeking Fund for my Animated film

My name is Abidoye Ezekiel. I’m an animator and creative director, and I’m currently developing an

animated feature film titled THE CAMPUS.

THE CAMPUS is a 90-minute 2D animated film set in a university environment, following eight

students from different backgrounds whose lives collide through ambitio...

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Rungrawee Jansukree
Low Filmmaker

We are seeking funding for our low-budget film, "The Touch That See" with a production budget of $99,000.

LOGLINE

"Kaew," a visually impaired woman harboring deep resentment, and "Meena," a wild elephant with a distinctive white birthmark, must work together to prove the value of life through learning, touch, and forgiveness.

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