Where’s the money? That’s the most common question asked by indie producers. Though we may not have the single, definitive answer, hopefully we can help point you in the right direction.

Private equity is the most common source of indie film financing, but who are these mysterious investors and how do you locate them? Producer Stu Pollard’s business plans have raised millions for independent productions. He’ll give an overview of equity financing; how to search beyond your own circle of contacts to reach serious investors; what factors persuade them to invest (or dissuade them from doing so); how best to approach them and ask for financing and how typical equity deals are structured.

About the speaker

A native of Louisville, Stu Pollard has been making independent films for more than two decades. His latest film, the survival thriller Rust Creek, directed by Jen McGowan and written by Julie Lipson, releases January 4th via IFC Midnight. It marks the eighth feature film Pollard has produced in whole or part in his home state of Kentucky.

Other recent producing credits include Alexandra Shiva’s Syiran refugee documentary This Is Home (2018 Sundance World Doc Audience Award Winner), the powerful high school drama And Then I Go (directed by Vincent Grashaw), and Zachary Trietz’s directorial debut Men Go to Battle. Projects in post include the rom-com Plus One (written and directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer, produced in partnership with Studio 71 and Red Hour Films) and The Short History of the Long Road, the second feature from writer-director Ani-Simon Kennedy.

Pollard’s Lunacy Productions has numerous projects in development, including the riveting two-hander The Man Who Knew Belle Starr (based on the award-winning Richard Bausch short story and adapted by Rust Creek writer Julie Lipson), the uproarious southern political satire Wonderdog (based on the novel by Inman Majors), Begin River Road, a family drama based on the Chris Bohjalian best-seller, and Alas, Babylon, a post-apocalyptic survival parable based on Pat Frank’s classic cold-war era novel.

Pollard has directed two features: the rom-com Nice Guys Sleep Alone and the suspense drama Keep Your Distance. In his spare time he teaches at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and Film Independent. He holds a degree in business from Georgetown, an MFA in film from USC and is a member of both the PGA and DGA.

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Validated parking in the building garage after 5:30 pm.