IWP and SHARE Partner to Disrupt Independent Film Funding

The collaboration merges IWP’s investor-focused, risk-mitigation financing model with the collaborative infrastructure offered by SHARE Studios. By combining these resources, the companies intend to provide a bridge between creative teams and capital markets that bypasses the traditional requirement of surrendering ownership. IWP, led by Bruce Waynne and Itibari Zulu, focuses on channeling capital into the creator economy, while SHARE provides the necessary backend tools for filmmakers to organize crews, structure projects, and negotiate transparent profit-sharing agreements.

For SHARE Studios CEO Erin Norman, the partnership is a response to the systemic bottlenecks that have long hindered independent production. The integration allows creators to mobilize their communities and prepare project materials—including budgets and cast lists—in a structured environment. This preparation is critical, as IWP’s model utilizes a dedicated funding agent, known as the PLUG, to streamline the transition from development to production. Filmmakers can now register for early access, moving through a five-step evaluation process designed to align their projects with investor expectations before formal funding reviews begin.