Filmmakers who are able to successfully identify their audience, provide visible progress and incentives, and of course, understand, and comply with legal matters can use crowdsourcing to their advantage. Websites such as Kickstarter put the power of funding into the hands of fans.

Directors are always looking to Kickstarter to help finance new projects and bring their ideas to life.

Director of Ghostbusters II, Bradley Bjornstad is currently aiming to raise $100,000 through Kickstarter to create a documentary, Ghostbusters 2 – the Original Version and an extended cut to give fans an insight into his original vision. This potential project will prove exciting to fans of the franchise, which has sparked TV series, video games and online slots, after the disappointing cinematic release.

“Indie filmmakers are always in search of financing because their work, their vision sometimes does not coincide with studio pictures,” said indie filmmaker Spike Lee, who is attempting to raise support for a new thriller project of his own.

Here are some successful examples of film projects financed by Kickstarter, which show how effective crowdsourcing can be when used right.

Save Blue Like Jazz (The Movie) by Steve Taylor

Pledged: $345,992

Funded: 276%

Backers: 4,495

This feature film, starring Marshall Allman, is based on Donald Miller’s New York Times bestselling memoir.

Neil Gaiman’s The Price by Christopher Salmon

Pledged: $161,774

Funded: 107%

Backers: 2,001

Based on award-winning author Neil Gaiman’s short story, The Price is a uniquely stylised CG animated film.

Minecraft: The Story of Mojang by 2 Player Productions

Pledged: $210,297

Funded: 140%

Backers: 3,631

This feature-length documentary tells the story of the first year of Mojang studio, following the runaway success of indie game Minecraft

MY REINCARNATION by Jennifer Fox

Pledged: $150,456

Funded: 300%

Backers: 518

This epic documentary film explores the themes of family, destiny and spirituality.

“Finding Vivian Maier” – a feature length documentary film by Toneloof

Pledged: $105,042

Funded: 525%

Backers: 1,495

Unravelling the discovery of 100,000 negatives, this film tells the story of a mysterious photographer that shocked the photography world.

I Am I by Jocelyn Towne

Pledged: $111,965

Funded: 111%

Backers: 902

This feature film tells of a woman who meets the mentally ill father who abandoned her in childhood. He is convinced she is his wife and attempts to win her back.

Urbanized: A Documentary Film by Gary Hustwit

Pledged: $118,505

Funded: 139%

Backers: 1,814

By the director of ‘Helvetica’ and ‘Objectified’, Urbanized explores the designs of cities, and the issues and strategies behind urban design.

About Raindance

Raindance aims to promote and support independent filmmaking and filmmakers.

From new and emerging to industry pros, Raindance connects, trains, supports, and promotes visual storytellers through every step of their career.

The Raindance Film Festival runs each Autumn in London's Leicester Square.

Raindance has been delivering film training since 1992. A wide range of Open Classes to a 2 year HND Level 5 BTEC in Moving Images to a Postgraduate Film Degree are delivered to students on five continents, both in person and online.