Film Funding Calculator · Free tool from a film financier
Enter your budget and where you’re shooting. We’ll show how tax incentives, senior debt and crowdfunding shrink the investor check, after the real cost of financing them.
Out-of-state cast and post usually don’t qualify. 60–85% is typical.
Pre-filled with the state’s base rate. Raise it if you expect to qualify for bonuses.
Lenders typically advance about 85% of verified MGs. Leave blank and we’ll assume the 50% senior-debt target.
We subtract about 9% in platform and payment fees and the cost of your rewards.
Typical ranges: credits sell for 85–92¢; tax credit loans run 10–20% for 12–18 months; senior lenders charge 20–25% for 12–24 months.
| Equity you need to raise | ||
| State incentive (cash value) | ||
| Senior debt | ||
| Crowdfunding (net) | ||
| Total cash you need | 100% | |
| Production budget | ||
| + Financing costs (interest) |
Questions about your numbers? Ask a film financier live at a free 30-minute training (half of it Q&A): The 5 Mistakes Producers Make When Talking to Investors or The Tax Break Investors Ask About.
Enter your email to unlock the numbers. We’ll also send the 2026 State Film Incentive Cheat Sheet.
Educational estimate only, not legal, tax, or investment advice, and not an offer of securities. State rates reflect official program sources as of September 30, 2026 and change often; see the 2026 State Film Incentive Cheat Sheet. Actual incentives depend on qualified spend, approvals, caps, and audit. Transferable credits are valued at the sale price you set (default 90¢ on the dollar). Interest is simple interest over the months you enter. Senior debt depends on lender underwriting of your presales. Tax figures are illustrative; an investor’s results depend on their own tax situation, including at-risk, passive-activity, and excess-business-loss limits.
Film Finance Fundamentals walks you through the capital stack, the tax structures, and the investor pitch, module by module, with templates.