Join industry experts Ryan Harrington and Debra Zimmerman as they share fundraising roadmaps and strategies for US financing.
Funding a documentary can feel like assembling a complex puzzle — daunting at first, but ultimately an exciting opportunity to make the film you truly want to make. In this illuminating workshop for emerging and experienced filmmakers alike, WMM Executive Director Debra Zimmerman and veteran producer and Board member Ryan Harrington map out the landscape of US documentary financing. Zimmerman, who has helped filmmakers secure funding for more than 40 years, covers grants and foundations, individual donors, crowdfunding, and the critical role of fiscal sponsorship. Harrington brings his deep experience from the commissioning and financing sector to demystify co-productions, streaming partnerships, investments, and gap financing strategies. Together, they offer a fundraising roadmap — whether you're launching a new project or trying to figure out if you can find funds in the US for production, post-production, or impact campaigns.
