VERSED: Crowdfunding to Build Independence

About this virtual workshop

BAVC Media's VERSED presents, Seed&Spark's Crowdfunding to Build Independence.

Thinking about making a movie, show, or web series? Great! We wanna watch it.

But first, how are you going to fund it? And when you’re finished, who’s going to watch it? 

We've got answers!

Most people think of crowdfunding as ‘friends and family’ fundraising for a project. But we're going to show you how crowdfunding can not only get your project off the ground — it can help you build a sustainable film career through a direct connection with your audience.

Join Filmmaker and Seed&Spark’s Marketing Director Sav Rodgers for this can't-miss Crowdfunding to Build Independence Workshop to learn:

• Why audience building is essential for a film career (and crowdfunding)
• How to define, find, talk to and grow your audience
• How to prepare for a successful crowdfunding campaign (including goal, incentives, and communication plan)
• Why staged financing might be right for you

Seed&Spark is the most successful crowdfunding platform for independent filmmaking in the world. Since its inception in 2012, it has helped filmmakers raise more than $80 million to make thousands of movies and shows. Seed&Spark shifts power to communities, making it possible for creators everywhere to make their work sustainably, while accelerating and amplifying its impact.

About the Instructor

Originally from Kansas, Sav Rodgers is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and pop culture documentarian.

Sav’s debut feature Chasing Chasing Amy explores the complicated legacy of Chasing Amy (1997) and its profound impression on his life. In 2018, Sav gave a TED Talk on the subject, appropriately titled, “The rom-com that saved my life.” The film had its World Premiere at Tribeca, and played at prestigious festivals including the BFI London Film Festival, Outfest Los Angeles, and the Palm Springs International Festival. Sav was awarded the Cleveland International Film Festival’s DReam Maker Award for pioneering LGBTQ+ filmmakers for his work on the documentary.

Sav’s experiences as a queer Midwesterner with a wild imagination have spurred the writing of scripts that center on highly specific, surprising stories about LGTBQ+ people. His screenplays have been recognized by GLAAD, The Black List, Outfest, ScreenCraft, among others.

Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2024, Sav is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Transgender Film Center, a nonprofit aiming to help trans creators bring finished films to audiences around the world. In 2025, Sav and the Transgender Film Center received the SXSW Community Service Award for Film & TV.

Additionally, Sav currently serves as the Marketing Director at Seed&Spark, the world's most successful crowdfunding platform for independent storytelling. He loves helping independent storytellers foster sustainable careers by leading educational initiatives, building partnerships, and shining a spotlight on their projects.

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About BAVC Media (workshop host)

BAVC Media a community hub and resource for media makers in the Bay Area, serving thousands of filmmakers, artists and activists every year. Inspiring social change by empowering media makers to develop and share diverse stories through art, education and technology since 1976.

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About VERSED

BAVC Media's VERSED is a series of hybrid workshops, hands-on labs, virtual and in-person trainings for creators of all ages and skill levels to spark and sustain careers in the media arts on a free or below-market basis. See our upcoming workshops at bavc.org/versed

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Accomodations for virtual workshops

Zoom captions will always be turned on for virtual workshops and recordings will include subtitle tracks. Transcripts will be made available upon request.

If you would benefit from any accommodations to access and participate fully in this event, for example ASL interpretation, please email versed@bavc.org and we will do our very best to make it a reality.