CROWDFUNDING: A BLUEPRINT
How I Raised over £500k for My Most Recent Film Without a Single Broadcaster
Your film doesn't have to die in development hell.
I raised £500k for Power Station (now in UK cinemas). No commissioners. No exec producers taking your rights. Just direct funding from audiences who believe in your vision.

"A very generous sharing of hard-won know-how" — Adam Gee, BAFTA-winning Producer, Former Channel 4 Commissioner
"The go-to playbook for crowdfunded filmmaking and social projects. Techniques are hands-on, practical and proven." — Simon Deverell, Founder & Co-CEO, Crowdfunder.co.uk
Inside this book, you'll discover...
Why I slept on my roof for 23 nights (and how it raised £116k).
The proven email method I use that increases open rates and turns strangers into fans in record time.
Why page 44's 'loss aversion' principle doubled our conversions.
The 48-hour window that captured 40% of our total funds.
Crowdfunding: A Blueprint is a system - it is repeatable you can learn it & it can help you grow your business or projects just like we do!
Discover the systems we use every day to profitably build an audience and exactly how we run successful crowdfunders to that audience.
Perfect If You're:
✓ Sick of rejection letters from BFI/ Film4 etc
✓ Ready to fund your film in 3-6 months (not 3 years)
✓ Want to keep 100% creative control
✗ Looking for overnight miracles (this takes work)
Just £20 (Physical Book) or £15 (Digital Download)
What you'll learn
The 4 funding types: rewards, donations, equity, bonds (I've done all)
Email sequences that raised £50k in 48 hours
Facebook ads that turned £1 into £4 return
Legal templates for investor agreements
Platform comparison - which to use when
FCA compliance that saves you from £50k fines
Proof it actually works
Below screenshots are from crowdfunding campaigns
we have run over a 13 month period.



Disclaimer: Building a successful crowdfunding campaign takes real work and commitment. Our results came from consistent effort over many months and may not be typical. Success depends on your project quality, audience engagement, and dedication to implementing these strategies. We share what worked for us, but your results will depend on your own efforts and circumstances.
BONUSES
FREE BONUSES When You Buy Today
✅ Worksheets & Checklists Pack
✅ Facebook Ads Guide for Filmmakers
✅ Reward Costing Spreadsheet
✅ Resources & Links Directory

MEET THE AUTHOR
Dan Edelstyn
FILMMAKER, WRITER & ENTREPRENEUR
Dan Edelstyn is a documentary filmmaker who has raised over £500,000 through crowdfunding. Power Station (premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest, Special Mention at Jihlava Opus Bonum) is currently screening in 70+ UK cinemas. His earlier films include How to Re-Establish a Vodka Empire (London Film Festival premiere, cinema release UK/US, now on Netflix/Disney+) and Bank Job (BFI-funded, Grierson and BIFA nominated, premiered at Hot Docs).
Dan has successfully run rewards, donation, equity and bond crowdfunding campaigns - including raising £113k to install community solar panels that now power 16 homes. He's given masterclasses on crowdfunding at Sheffield Doc/Fest and is collaborating with Crowdfunder.co.uk on educational programmes for filmmakers.
After years in the traditional funding system, Dan developed this crowdfunding blueprint to help filmmakers bypass gatekeepers. He runs Optimistic Productions with partner Hilary Powell and is currently developing new documentary and horror film projects, all funded without commissioners.
© Copyrights by Optimistic Foundation CIC Ltd 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy. Earnings Disclaimer. Terms of use.
This site is not a part of the Facebook website or Facebook Inc. Additionally, This site is NOT endorsed by Facebook in any way. FACEBOOK is a trademark of FACEBOOK, Inc.