Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  May 21, 2024

When Budgets Dry Up: Lessons from Filmmaker Ava DuVernay

A lot of us have experienced disappearing budgets. Clients who used to have funds for our services have seen money dry up. It can be scary, but you can find a way around it.

A recent Washington Post article provides insight into what to do if you find yourself in that type of situation, including filmmaker Ava DuVernay as an example.

DuVernay, despite her iconic reputation, couldn’t get establishment movie studios to fund her film “Origin.” So, instead of pounding on closed doors, she went to an unlikely source: non-profit foundations that were willing to underwrite the project.

She shifted from funders of format (studios that make movies) to funders of purpose (non-profits that create impact). By positioning her film as a vehicle for something bigger, DuVernay tapped into a different funding source. We can do this, too.

The challenge is developing a new pitch and message strategy for the new buyers. This isn’t a tweak. Moving to new markets requires you to look at your impact in a whole different way.

As traditional budgets dry up, perhaps it’s time to change course and find new revenue sources. Before you leap, though, make sure you’re willing to do what it takes to appeal to buyers with a different agenda.

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