SHARE Studios, IWP launch financing alliance for indie filmmakers

SHARE Studios and Itibari-Waynne & Partners have formed a new alliance to help independent filmmakers raise capital without giving up intellectual property ownership. The partnership aims to move more projects into production, create investor protections and give creators a clearer path to funding and backend participation.

Why it matters: - Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers in independent film. - The new alliance is designed to let filmmakers secure financing while keeping IP ownership and sharing in future upside. - The model could help more projects reach production, put crews back to work and support a more durable funding path for creators.

What happened: - SHARE Studios and Itibari-Waynne & Partners launched a partnership focused on financing independent filmmakers. - The alliance combines IWP’s capital de-risking approach with SHARE Studios’ creator infrastructure, profit-sharing tools and distribution networks. - The announcement was made Sept. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles.

The details: - IWP’s funding model is built to connect investors with short films, features, documentaries and creator-led projects. - The structure does not require filmmakers to surrender IP. - IWP is led by Itibari Zulu and Bruce Waynne. - Bruce Waynne said the partnership is meant to address access to capital without forcing creators to give away rights. - SHARE Studios says its platform helps filmmakers connect, crew up, structure projects and negotiate transparent backend profit-sharing agreements. - The company says the platform is meant to help creatives mobilize communities, greenlight independent productions and build sustainable careers while retaining control of their work.

Between the lines: - The alliance is targeting a persistent industry problem that affects both new and established filmmakers. - The release points to cases like Zach Braff and Francis Ford Coppola to show that even high-profile directors can struggle to finance projects through traditional channels. - Erin Norman, CEO and co-founder of SHARE Studios, said the partnership could help crews return to work and could push Hollywood toward a financial system that better serves creators. - The collaboration also reflects a broader shift toward creator-economy financing models that try to align investors, creators and distribution more directly.

What's next: - Filmmakers and creators can register for early access ahead of upcoming IWP funding opportunities. - Registration begins with an email sign-up and a five-step process designed to help creators organize and strengthen their projects. - After registering, creators are encouraged to assemble cast, crew, production materials, budgets and other project information. - The goal is to prepare projects for investor review when funding opportunities open. - More information is available through the companies’ registration flow, with referral code SHARE.

The bottom line: - SHARE Studios and IWP are trying to remove a key bottleneck in indie film by pairing funding access with creator control, investor protections and a clearer path to production.