Independent cinema funding and crowdfunding

The home of cinema crowdfunding

Crowdfunder is where independent cinemas and their communities come together to raise money for equipment, screenings, and outreach. Whether you’re restoring a venue, launching a new programme, or planning a cinema fundraiser, we help you access cinema crowdfunding tools and support.

Cinema crowdfunding projects

No platform fees for creative projects when you start crowdfunding

How to run a cinema fundraiser with Crowdfunder

Ready to raise funds for your next screening or programme? Our platform makes cinema fundraising simple, from community-driven projects to full movie fundraiser event cinemas. Create your campaign, tell your story, and unlock access to broader audiences and support for your cinema.

Start crowdfunding

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Prize draws

Give your supporters the chance to win unique experiences that bring your community together.

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Match funding for cinemas

Raise more for your cinema with over £10 million in match funding from regional and national partners.

How community shares help fund cinemas

Looking for long-term investment? Let your community become co-owners. Community Shares allow backers to invest in your venue’s future, a strong option for community cinema funding and grassroots sustainability.

Successful independent cinema projects

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Open the doors of Edinburgh Filmhouse for a new chapter

£331,798 from 3,164 supporters

Filmhouse has been a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s cultural life for generations. With community at its heart, the project focused on reviving this historic venue—creating an inclusive space for audiences to explore world cinema, champion local talent, and engage in creative discovery.

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The Belmont Community Cinema

£61,053 from 670 supporters

The not-for-profit community cinema was created with a vision to refurbish and reopen a unique cultural venue as a truly independent cinema for all. The entire project has been driven by an incredible community of Belmont customers, film lovers, local businesses and organisations.

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Lumiere Romford – Former Premiere Cinema

£31,735 from 518 supporters

The team behind Lumiere ran a crowdfunding campaign to reimagine a former cinema as a dynamic new arts space. Rooted in Romford’s heritage, the cinema will host film, performance, workshops and more—celebrating local talent and bringing new cultural life into the heart of the community.

How cinema crowdfunding works

Crowdfunder makes it easy to raise movie funding through your audience. Build your campaign, promote it online, and start raising money, with zero platform fees. We are the UK’s leading film funding platform for independent film and cinema projects.

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Tell your story

Be open about your situation, why support matters and set a realistic target. Bring it to life with a short video.

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Add exciting rewards

Give people rewards they’ll love: exclusive products, merch, naming a seat, or behind-the-scenes tours.

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Promote everywhere

Use social media, your mailing list, posters in your venue, and the local press to shout about your campaign.

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Get funded

Collect donations, apply for match funding, thank supporters, and build momentum.

Independent cinemas crowdfunding now

See which UK venues are actively raising money right now. From classic picturehouses to new community-led projects, these live campaigns showcase the power of cinema fundraising and community cinema funding.

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Independent cinema funding FAQs

Got questions about launching your campaign or applying for funding for movies? This section covers the essentials, from how to create a project page, to how Crowdfunder compares to other movie funding sites or traditional grants.

How does crowdfunding for independent cinemas work?

Crowdfunding for your independent cinema couldn’t be easier with Crowdfunder. Simply create your profile and let your supporters fund your cause. Our community fundraising platform lets you put your project in front of a bigger crowd, outside of your local network. Promote your campaign to more people, as well as public sector and corporate organisations.


How do I set up a crowdfunding page?

It’s really easy to start crowdfunding for your cause with Crowdfunder:

  • Create your crowdfunding profile
  • Tell your story - add photos and videos to your profile to show people why you’re fundraising
  • Apply for match funding to boost your fundraising
  • Offer rewards or set up a prize draw to give back to your crowd

How will my crowdfunding money be paid out?

Crowdfunder lets you choose weekly or monthly payouts when you set up your project. If you do not wish to receive funds until a later date, you can choose to manually start payouts from your dashboard after your project goes live. Please note all funds go through a 7 day clearing period before they are eligible to payout.

Need help to launch your cinema crowdfunding campaign?

Whether you’re restoring a venue, applying for funding for movie production, or planning a cinema fundraiser, Crowdfunder gives you the tools, support, and audience to succeed. Start your cinema crowdfunding journey now. If you have any questions or run into any issues, our friendly support team are here to help. Either use the chat bot or visit our help centre