A team with a long history of successfully funding and supporting filmmakers. The offerings of various grants throughout the year makes our organization a very attractive funding source. Not only are our grants an option, we also fiscally sponsor filmmakers and have been doing so for many years. As an organization our focus is on ensuring our clients reach their goals. We manage very closely and conservatively our operating funds so as to offer reasonably affordable services to our clients. We take the time required to work with clients to help them complete their projects. It's not about rushing a client to completion. For us it's about making sure the client's project is viable, sustainable and able to reach their target audience.
At From the Heart, all of us are very sorry for the experience the previous writer had with our non-profit that resulted in so many misconceptions about us.
As a proud board member of this great organization, its clear we need to improve explaining who we are, how much we can do for filmmakers, and how dedicated we are to helping them get their films funded.
Founded in 1993, From the Heart is a certified 501(c)3 non-profit. We are registered with the state of California and the IRS. You can find our 990’s on Guidestar.
Our mission is to help filmmakers get their films funded. Through our Roy W. Dean Grant, we’ve given filmmakers over $2 million to date in cash and donated film services. Our fiscal sponsorship program aids hundreds of filmmakers yearly raise money by helping them win grants and giving their donors tax deductible donations. Our Intentional Filmmaking Class teaches filmmakers who are artists the ins and outs of how to get money for their films.
The film community is big, but credible information on our work and references abound. Perhaps it was difficult for them to find because we support so many “underdog” filmmakers. They’ve got unique projects that contribute to society that need to be told, but are facing funding obstacles. It could be either because of the content or lack of filmmaking experience. Many are years in the making.
But, to find out about our work, you can start by checking out our 23 years of grant winners at http://fromtheheartproductions.com/previous-winners/ We’re very proud of them and the awards many of them have won.
Check out our reviews from filmmakers http://www.genbook.com/bookings/slot/reservation/30184015/reviews/
Or, view all the films that we currently fiscally sponsor https://fromtheheartproductions.givecorps.com/
You can also check us out with Indiegogo. https://www.indiegogo.com/partners/fthp We were one of the first non-profits they contacted to partner with them. Since 2011, we’ve helped filmmakers raise over $2 million crowdfunding with them.
Founder and President Carole Dean is hardly unknown. She has devoted her life to aiding filmmakers in their efforts to get their films made. Before From the Heart, she invented an industry by buying back left over film stock from features then reselling it at a discount to independent filmmakers. This enabled many filmmakers in the 70’s and 80’s to actually get their films made.
She started From the Heart after seeing that the filmmakers she worked with had so much trouble and lack of experience raising money for their films. Using her own money, she set up the Roy W. Dean Grant and asked her industry contacts to donate their services.
Carole authored “The Art of Film Funding: 2nd Edition: Alternative Financing Concepts”. She was invited to teach at New York Film Academy and has appeared on film industry panels as an expert in film funding, independent filmmaking, and crowdfunding. In 2012, she received the lifetime achievement award from Women in Film and Television Showcase (WIFTS).
She also gives every fiscally sponsored filmmaker a free consultation. The project and materials are reviewed beforehand. Speaking with the filmmaker, Carole offers advice on improving their trailer, pitch, and outreach to investors or donors.
I've attached three videos and a photo just in case there is any doubt left at to who we are and our mission.
The first is a video of Carole Dean explaining the benefits of fiscal sponsorship with From the Heart.
The second is Carole Dean's acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement award bestowed on her by WIFTS.
The third is a video of Carole explaining how you can manifest money for your film. This is among the many video Carole has created for filmmakers which can be found at our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWewuxELt6nUDburbM_2PbQ
The picture is one of Carole presenting the Roy W. Dean Grant award plaque to winner Leslie Neale.
To all filmmakers and donors, as well as the writer who was unsure of what we did, check out our website at www.fromtheheartproductions.com. Please call us 805-984-0098 or email us at info@fromtheheartproductions or caroleleedean@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments about us.
We look forward to continue supporting independent filmmakers and helping them get their films made.
Richard Kaufman
Board Member
From the Heart Productions
Review from Guidestar
From the Heart productions, led by film industry legend Carole Dean, has been a powerful voice in the film industry for over 20 years. The Roy W. Dean Film Grant continues to put forth the most significant life-changing, culture-altering films anywhere in the world. This is one film grant that makes a difference in a positive way in our world.
