Aquarius Films offers on-set role in $200,000 Pozible fund raising

An Australian film production company is using crowdfunding platform Pozible in a bid to raise $200,000, rewarding pledgers with opportunities to be involved in the production of its latest film.

Aquarius Films, established by filmmakers Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford in 2007, produces feature films, television series, electronic press kits, documentaries and short films.

One of its newest films, Wish You Were Here, had its world premiere screening at the Sundance Film Festival, and was recently nominated for an Australian Writers’ Guild Award.

Its latest film, The Second Coming, is an adaptation of a novel by Andrew Masterson. It centres around a man who believes he is Jesus Christ and becomes the prime suspect in a murder case.

The producers have already secured funds for The Second Coming from Screen Australia and Screen NSW, but wouldn’t confirm the amount.

“Screen Australia has signed a letter of intent, which means they’re willing to come on board once everything else is in place,” Staniford told StartupSmart.

In a bid to “fill the gap”, Aquarius Films has turned to Pozible to raise additional funds.

Based in Sydney, Pozible is a global crowdfunding platform for creative individuals, groups and organisations. Aquarius Films’ Pozible campaign for The Second Coming launched yesterday.

“There’s three main crowdfunding sites globally – Kickstarter, Indiegogo and Pozible,” Staniford says.

“With Kickstarter, you have to have a US social security number and with Indiegogo, the pledges have to be a lot higher. Pozible made sense. We’re a big fish in a small pond I suppose.”

“Pozible was also really supportive of the project.”

Aquarius Films has set itself a goal of $75,000 on the Pozible platform, but is hoping to surpass that figure and raise $200,000.

“If 2,000 people put in $100, that’s our $200,000 right there. To be on the safe side, because it’s a relatively new thing, we decided to set our target at $75,000,” Staniford says.

“But we’re hoping the campaign takes off and we can keep going and reach our $200,000 target.”

In order to achieve this, Aquarius Films is offering pledgers a range of incentives.

“We’ve tried to really tailor the packages to all budget levels. We’re offering DVS, scripts and posters signed by the directors and the cast,” Staniford says.

“We’re offering the chance to come on set to watch production, and meet the cast and crew.”

“We’re offering the chance to become an associate producer on the film, and we’re offering an original prop or costume from the film.”

“We’re trying to offer rewards that get people really involved, so they feel like they’re part of the journey.”

Staniford says Aquarius Films has big plans for The Second Coming.

“With all our films, we try and approach the biggest festivals. Four of our previous films have been screened at Sundance Film Festivals,” she says.

“We feel like [The Second Coming has] got huge international appeal, and hopefully crowdfunding will help as well.”

“[Crowdfunding is] a great way to raise money and grow the audience of the film.”