Kickstarter Hires Indie Producer Taylor K. Shaw to Head Film Outreach

Kickstarter, the crowdfunding platform designed to support creative endeavors, has named Taylor K. Shaw head of film outreach as the company steps up efforts to court industry professionals to use its service to finance production and related expenses.

Shaw is an independent producer and entrepreneur who founded animation firm BWA Studios, which has produced content and marketing materials for HBO, Netflix, Hulu, Mattel and Sony Music, among others. The Brooklyn-based executive is in the midst of a film festival tour to spread the word about her role as the liaison who can guide experienced filmmakers on using the tools that Kickstarter provides. The company’s pitch to industry pros is that Kickstarter is not only a means of generating financing, it’s also a vehicle for fan engagement.

“Kickstarter has played a unique and important role in independent film, helping filmmakers bring bold, original stories to life. Continuing to build on that legacy — by bringing new independent filmmakers to the platform and strengthening our relationships with those who are dedicated to creating on their own terms — is a priority for us,” said Courtney Brown Warren, chief marketing officer for Kickstarter.

“To lead and expand this work, we knew we needed someone who understands the challenges filmmakers face and is also actively shaping solutions. Taylor is that leader. As an artist, producer, and founder, she has championed independent storytelling throughout her career, creating opportunities for filmmakers and animators to thrive,” said Warren. “With Taylor at the helm, we’re excited to deepen our commitment to independent film and ensure that Kickstarter remains the premier platform for creators who want to tell their stories their way.”

Kickstarter has helped support more than 88,000 projects in its film and video category since the company was founded in 2009. Kickstarter users, or what the company calls its “backer community,” at present stands at 23 million. Those users have pledged nearly $595 million to support filmmakers and other creators since 2009. The 2024 Academy Awards season marked a big moment for Kickstarter as “The Apprentice,” the controversial independent film about the early years of President Donald Trump, earned two Oscar nominations, lead actor and supporting actor for stars Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, respectively. When that film ran into distribution challenges in the U.S., producers turned to Kickstarter to help raise marketing funds.

Shaw’s new role as Kickstarter’s senior outreach lead for film is to connect with professional users and help them shape successful fundraising campaigns. She’s also tasked with making users aware of the size of the Kickstarter community and resources available and how to use them. Shaw made the rounds in Park City in January at the Sundance Film Festival. This week she heads south to Austin, Texas for SXSW. Shaw will also continue to operate BWA Studios in addition to her work at Kickstarter.

“Kickstarter has a longstanding legacy of supporting prolific talent and helping them fund and launch their careers — the likes of Issa Rae and Phoebe Waller-Bridge,” Shaw told Variety. “What really brought me here is the alignment between my passion for building strong infrastructure for artists to thrive and really seeing the need in this moment for all artists, all filmmakers, whether you’re emerging or established, to be creatively independent.”