Summary
Learn from a powerhouse film financier who advises ultra high net worth investors and mentors international producers!
Receive a deal structure template to take home!
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a filmmaker is raising real financing. You may have a strong script, a clear vision — but without funding, nothing moves. While others seem to be getting green lit or crowdfunded, most filmmakers are left wondering: Where are these investors, and how do I reach them? Here’s the good news: it’s not about luck — it’s about knowing how to approach the process like a pro. This exclusive Stage 32 webinar gives you the tools to do just that!
Too many filmmakers assume passion will attract money — but investors want a clear offer, smart return strategy, and business-minded confidence. This webinar will help you avoid missteps, pitch strategically, and build investor trust.
Your Stage 32 educator Emma Louise Smith is a producer, executive producer, and financier with decades of experience in international film finance. She’s advised Ultra High Net Worth Individuals, worked on dozens of features, and mentors emerging producers through IEFTA. She knows what investors need — because she works with them every day.
You will walk away from this webinar with a clear understanding of how to identify and attract the right investors for your film, how to structure deals and offer returns that make sense, and how to speak to investors in a way that builds trust and confidence. Emma will share actionable strategies to help you avoid the common mistakes filmmakers make when pitching, show you how to navigate investor mindsets, and teach you how to present your project as a smart, professional opportunity — not a risky passion play. With Emma’s guidance and real-world experience, you’ll be equipped to approach investors with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
PLUS! You will receive:
-
Template Deal Structure with Term Sheet
Praise for Emma:
“Emma was very warm, professional. Genuinely wanting to further our projects. She gave us tons of information.” -Betty S
“First, I'd like to say Emma's class was fantastic. She's so generous with information and tailored the subject matter to our individual projects. It felt personal and extremely relevant! That being said, Emma illustrated them with a lot of clarity.” -Carley B
What You'll Learn
The Basics
-
What Are Your Goals with Your Project?
-
What Are Angel Investors & Venture Capitalists?
Finding and Attracting Investors
-
How to Attract a Serious Investor?
-
Where Are the Investors?
-
Finding the Money
-
Why You Should Always Be Ready
-
Identifying the Partners That Make Sense
-
What Investors Want vs. What Filmmakers Think They Want
-
What You’re Going to Learn Through the Process
-
Approaches to Getting an Investor
The Pitch – Approaching Investors
-
Your Pitch Can Make or Break EVERYTHING. Here are some top tips.
-
How Long Should the Perfect Pitch Be?
-
Three Mistakes Commonly Made When You Approach an Investor
-
How to Avoid Looking Desperate or Unprepared
Securing and Closing Investors
-
How to find the Ideal Investor for You
-
How to Approach Investors Strategically
-
Networking Tips That Build Investor Trust
-
Descriptions of the Investor Mindset and How to Navigate It
-
The Art of Not Giving Up
-
Why Working the Markets Needs to Be a Priority
-
How You Can Network at These Markets
-
Examples of Emma’s Successes That Have Come From Markets
-
Walking an Investor Down a Path
The Business of Raising Money
-
How to Structure Deals
-
How to Offer Returns
-
Legal Considerations
Interactive Session
-
Q&A with Emma Smith, FCCA
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.
Who Should Attend
-
Filmmakers ready to raise financing for a feature, short, or series
-
Producers looking to structure a professional pitch for private investors
Executive
Emma is a Producer, Executive Producer and Financier. She spent several years in advising UNHWI’s (Ultra Net High Worth Individuals), based between Monaco and Switzerland, advising on the structuring of investments and assets and managing projects and teams. As an ACCA chartered accountant, Emma is trained in international finance and audit legislation with Saffery Champness.
Emma is an International Advisory Board Member for the drafted and implemented the policies and procedures required to become a UN partner which began a transition focused within film/TV.
Discovering talent and unique stories to tell is a passion for Emma.
Testimonials
Praise for Emma:
“Emma was very warm, professional. Genuinely wanting to further our projects. She gave us tons of information.” -Betty S
“First, I'd like to say Emma's class was fantastic. She's so generous with information and tailored the subject matter to our individual projects. It felt personal and extremely relevant! That being said, Emma illustrated them with a lot of clarity.” -Carley B