Hollywood’s distribution model is designed to serve the studio system—a machine fueled by big budgets and guaranteed box office hits. But what happens when audiences crave something different? In a landscape saturated with sequels, remakes, and IP-driven blockbusters, fresh and original storytelling is often left on the cutting room floor.
This year’s Oscars sent a loud and clear message: indie films aren’t just holding their own—they’re winning. But while audiences are proving their hunger for fresh voices, Hollywood’s distribution machine remains stuck in the past, prioritizing opening weekend guarantees over slow-burn success. That risk-averse model leaves many independent films without the distribution they deserve. Crowdfunding flips the script, giving filmmakers the power to rally support and prove their stories belong on the big screen.
Crowdfunding as a Launchpad for Independent Filmmaking
“When studios focus only on guaranteed hits, they leave behind the daring, unique stories that audiences actually want,” says Andy Striph, Indiegogo’s Creative Works Director. “This is where crowdfunding proves invaluable—it allows filmmakers to build personal connections and grassroots support before the film is even made.”
When studios wouldn’t greenlight Don Cheadle’s directorial debut and Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead, crowdfunding made the project a reality. It provided the proof-of-concept that investors and audiences needed to see—widespread grassroots support. The proof is in the campaign.
Indiegogo has been a launchpad for award-winning films, helping bring projects like A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night and Dear White People to life. Filmmakers have turned to crowdfunding at every stage of production—from proof-of-concept shorts to pre-production funding, post-production finishing funds, and festival submissions.
More than just funding, crowdfunding provides filmmakers with a direct line to their audience, helping them build passionate communities around their projects. It’s a platform for bold, unique, and daring storytelling—stories that might never see the light of day in the traditional studio system.
Enter Things Like This: A Fresh, Bold, and Necessary Film
In the spirit of independent storytelling, Things Like This is exactly the kind of film that the Hollywood system often overlooks. While it features LGBTQ characters, Things Like This is a rom-com for everyone—a heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal love story that anyone can connect with. It follows two men who share the same name and, seemingly, the same destiny. But in a city where dreams and reality constantly blur, is anything ever that simple?
Written, directed by, and starring Max Talisman, Things Like This is more than just another rom-com—it’s a celebration of love, identity, and fate. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Joey Pollari (Love, Simon), Jackie Cruz (Orange is the New Black), Charlie Tahan (Ozark), and Cara Buono (Stranger Things), the film brings a fresh and inclusive perspective to the genre.
Max Talisman’s directorial debut also challenges industry norms—especially when it comes to casting. As a plus-size actor, he is breaking away from traditional Hollywood expectations, promoting body positivity and inclusivity in a space that often lacks authentic representation.
A Call to Action for Indie Films
Hollywood wasn’t built for indie filmmakers—but that doesn’t mean indie filmmakers have to play by its rules. Whether you’re a film student, a first-time director, or an industry veteran tired of fighting for creative control, crowdfunding is a proven path forward. It’s not just about raising money—it’s about proving demand, building a loyal fan base, and making the kind of films Hollywood is too afraid to bet on.