The Real Cost of Filmmaking

Many world-changing organizations can’t afford quality storytelling.

Most professional filmmakers can’t afford to work for free.

That’s where we come in.

Film Actual Cost?

Here’s a snapshot of the average production budgets in the documentary world:

Low-Budget:

$5,000 – $50,000
Small crew, local filming, basic gear, minimal post-production.

Mid-Budget:

$50,000 – $500,000
Pro crew, travel, advanced gear, paid licensing, marketing & festival campaigns.

High-Budget:

$500,000 – $3M+
International production, large crew, top-tier equipment, visual effects, major distribution.

1. Pre-Production (10–20%)
Research, scripting, subject coordination, permits, and legal clearances.

2. Production (40–60%)
Crew salaries, equipment rentals, travel, set/location costs, and archival footage licensing.

3. Post-Production (20–40%)
Editing, sound design, color grading, motion graphics, music scoring, and licensing.

4. Marketing & Distribution (10–30%)
Festival entries, PR, trailers, deliverables, and digital distribution.

Our Model:

25%—of the standard industry cost and 75% is donor supported.

We provide full-scale video production at just a fraction of the cost.

Result? Quality films made radically accessible for world changing organizations.

In addition, these organizations get to use more of their funds towards how they are changing the world for good!

Too many important stories remain untold.

We are bridging the gap between cost and access and changing the world by shining a light on world changing organizations.