Tubi is teaming up with Kickstarter in a new partnership that will bring at least 20 crowdfunded indie films to the free streaming platform. Announced Thursday by Tubi CEO Anjali Sud and Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor, the collaboration aims to amplify underrepresented voices and provide emerging filmmakers with both finishing funds and a wide-reaching distribution channel.
As part of the agreement, Tubi will invest in Kickstarter’s newly launched FilmStream Collective Fund, which is designed to support filmmakers with near-complete projects. The fund will help cover crucial post-production expenses—like editing, sound design, and marketing—to get their films across the finish line.
In addition to backing the fund, Tubi and Kickstarter will select 10 campaigns to directly receive completion funding. Those finished films will then stream exclusively on Tubi for their first three months, with producers earning a share of the advertising revenue based on viewership.
The curated film collection, expected to launch this fall, will spotlight indie projects that have demonstrated strong fan support and community engagement on Kickstarter. It’s a strategic move by Tubi, which currently boasts more than 97 million monthly active users, to strengthen its reputation as a platform for discovering new and original voices in filmmaking.
“Tubi is becoming the home for the next generation of Hollywood talent,” said Sud. “We’re expanding the pathways for creators to grow their audience and adding greater diversity and differentiation to our content offering.”
The initiative also aligns with Kickstarter’s broader mission to provide creators with not only funding but meaningful opportunities for exposure. To be eligible for the FilmStream Collective Fund, filmmakers must launch a Kickstarter campaign between now and August 31, 2025.
Kickstarter has also named Taylor K. Shaw as its new liaison to professional filmmakers. Shaw, a familiar face on the festival circuit, has been actively promoting Kickstarter’s expanded support services for creatives.
“Together, we’re building a new opportunity for filmmakers to share their work with global audiences and get the visibility they deserve,” said Taylor.
The partnership highlights a growing trend among platforms to collaborate with creator-focused communities and to lean into fan engagement as a new model for content discovery and development. Whether it’s through crowdfunding, creator marketplaces, or community voting, both companies say this is just the beginning of what’s possible when fans and platforms join forces to elevate independent storytelling.