Tubi and Kickstarter are betting that some of the next films and series worth streaming already have an audience online. The companies announced the Fandom Fund on Nov. 13, with Tubi committing $250,000 to help selected creators turn that following into original productions. The first projects are slated to premiere exclusively on Tubi beginning in 2027.
For filmmakers wondering where to apply, Kickstarter says the first round has already been selected from creators who built audiences online. Creators can sign up for updates on the Fandom Fund page.
How the money works
About $150,000 is expected to go to roughly eight to 15 creators, according to Business Insider. Another $100,000 in matching funds is earmarked for one project to produce a full series or feature. The program spans horror, young adult stories, Black entertainment, true crime, LGBTQ+ stories, comedy and reality.
Fans can pledge through Kickstarter, where campaigns must hit their funding goals to collect pledges. Creators keep ownership of their work, and the finished productions receive exclusive streaming windows on Tubi.
What an existing audience can do
The fund follows an earlier partnership that brought more than 20 independent films to Tubi. This round emphasizes creators who already have people following their work. A campaign gives those fans a way to back a longer production and gives creators a measure of how many followers are willing to pledge.
For filmmakers weighing a future round, there’s a practical question to ask before promising backer rewards. When the premiere belongs to one streaming service, what can you offer the fans who helped pay for the film?
This report was prepared with AI assistance.
