ExplorerFilm Financing Resources and Advisory for Independent Filmmakers
We are primarily seeking:
This is not early-stage development funding. It is strategic bridge financing for films that are already substantially financed and production-ready.
Key Criteria
Partnership Structure
This initiative is built through a three-party collaboration:
Acquisitions and Creative Vetting Partner
IndieHeart will be responsible for identifying, sourcing, and vetting projects. We will evaluate creative strength, production readiness, and financial viability before submission to the funding partner.
Creative Vetting
Funding and Loan Administration Partner
Rich Young Rulers will serve as the capital partner, providing underwriting, financial oversight, and loan administration infrastructure.
Capital Oversight
Production and Sales Support Partner
Bobbcat Films will provide production resources, strategic support, industry relationships, and assistance with securing sales and distribution pipelines.
Production & Sales
Together, this structure combines creative insight, financial discipline, and industry execution.
A More Human Approach to Film Finance
Film financing is often transactional, distant, and purely corporate.
This partnership is being developed with a different philosophy.
IndieHeart approaches acquisitions with a filmmaker's perspective — understanding that behind every budget is years of creative work, risk, and personal investment.
At the same time, this program will operate with professional underwriting standards and disciplined financial practices to ensure sustainability and accountability.
"The goal is balance: rigorous evaluation paired with genuine respect for artists."
Senior Advisory Support
We are developing this initiative with senior advisory guidance from From the Heart Productions.
With decades of experience supporting independent filmmakers through grants, fiscal sponsorship, and funding education, their involvement helps ensure this program is structured with integrity, transparency, and ethical standards.
Their advisory role supports fund development and project sourcing. They are not involved in underwriting or capital management.
Est. 1992
Advisory Background
Ethical
Governance & Standard
From the Heart Productions
Foundational Sponsorship Partner
From the Heart Productions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers through fiscal sponsorship, grants, and educational programs.
For over 30 years, From the Heart has helped filmmakers raise funding, complete their films, and reach audiences around the world. The organization is widely respected for its commitment to filmmaker advocacy and ethical support.
From the Heart is best known for the Roy W. Dean Grant, one of the most prestigious and long-running grant programs supporting independent films.
As an organizational advisor, From the Heart Productions provides strategic insight and institutional guidance in the development of IndieHeart's forthcoming film fund, helping ensure it reflects proven best practices in filmmaker support and responsible funding.
FTH At A Glance
Our Individual Senior Advisors
Carole Dean
Founder and President, From the Heart Productions
Carole Dean is the Founder and President of From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)3 non-profit fiscal sponsor that supports independent filmmakers to raise funding for their films. She created the Roy Dean Film grant in 1992 and has given over $2,500,000 in grants to independent filmmakers, and helped to produce over 80 films through the grant.
She created the short-end film business in 1970 which helped spawn the independent film revolution by giving filmmakers affordable film stock. In the 1980s, she produced 120 Health Styles Shows that were sold to Oasis Cable and 30 Filmmaker shows, now in the National Archives. She was Executive Producer for BAM 6.6, Women Behind the Camera, Step Away From the Stone, and American Chain Gang.
Carole Dean is the author of The Art of Film Funding Second Edition and The Art of Manifesting: Creating your Future.
Carole Joyce
Vice President of From the Heart Productions and Director of the Roy W. Dean Grant
A talented filmmaker, photographer, and producer, Carole Joyce is a Board Member of the 501(c)3 non-profit From the Heart Productions, and Director of the Roy W. Dean Grant, of which she has been an integral part of for over 20 years. Carole is also the CEO of Authentic Vision Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in independent film production and financing.
A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography, Carole is an award-winning filmmaker for her documentary Survivors. Carole served as Executive Producer for the award-winning short film Stairway to the Stars starring Sean Young and as LA Line Producer for Wheels of Heaven with Mickey Rourke. Carole produced the short film Living UnDone, which won the Grand Jury Award at the Ethos Film Festival and Best Short Documentary for the Paris Film Festival. Carole is a Producer for the upcoming film Prodigal Daughter.
Carole also serves as an Advisor for the Authentic Global Film Festival and a Judge for the Ethos Film Festival.
Advisory Scope and Independence
From the Heart Productions, Carole Dean, and Carole Joyce serve exclusively as advisors for the development of IndieHeart's forthcoming film fund.
They are not involved in the development, operation, or technical implementation of IndieHeart's AI systems, proprietary technology, or creative service offerings.
Their advisory role ensures that the film fund is developed in alignment with the needs and best interests of independent filmmakers.
Timeline
Contracts are currently being finalized and capital commitments secured.
We anticipate launching the program within the next few months.
Once officially launched, this page will contain full details, including:
Stay Informed
If you are interested in applying or learning more once the program opens, join the interest list below.
We will notify you as soon as applications and official terms are released. You may also return to this page for updates as we move toward launch.
Some films are nearly complete — they simply need the final piece of capital to move forward.
This partnership is being built to help strong independent films cross that final threshold responsibly and strategically.