Episode 57

full
Published on:

13th Jul 2026

What Film Investors Actually Want In Your Pitch Deck

Most filmmakers build pitch decks around the movie they want to make. But an investor is looking at your project through a completely different lens:

How do I get my money back—and what protects my downside?

In Episode 57 of Off The Lot, Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Furey break down what an effective indie film investor deck actually needs to accomplish.

We discuss:

• The difference between a creative pitch deck and an investor deck

• What private film investors actually need to understand

• How to explain your budget, finance plan, tax credits, and recoupment waterfall

• Why cinematography and concept art should not dominate the presentation

• How cast, comparable films, timing, and market positioning help reduce perceived risk

• Whether filmmakers need their own marketing plan

• Why your deck should inspire a conversation—not replace one

• The legal risks of publicly soliciting film investment

• How to make financial information clear without making the deck feel dry

A good investor deck does more than make your film look exciting. It demonstrates that you understand how the project will be financed, completed, sold, and positioned to return capital.

If you are trying to privately finance an independent feature, this episode provides a practical framework for building the document that may open the door.

Subscribe for candid conversations about financing, producing, directing, selling, and building independent films outside the studio system.

Follow Ken's Indie Horror Feature Remnant here:

www.remnantmovie.com

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About the Podcast

Off The Lot: An Indie Film Podcast
indie film success on your own terms
Off The Lot is where serious indie filmmakers level up. Hosted by Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp, this podcast delivers real, hard-earned lessons from the frontlines of independent filmmaking. Each episode is a masterclass — featuring directors, producers, and creatives who are in the trenches, making movies happen without a safety net. If you want actionable insights, unfiltered conversations, and the blueprint to build your own career outside the studio system — this is the show.
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About your hosts

Ken Kabatoff

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Ken Kabatoff is an accomplished writer and director with over seventeen years of experience in the film industry, delivering high-quality stories to millions of viewers.

Starting in 2016, Ken wrote for the critically acclaimed sci-fi Netflix series, Travelers, where he became co-producer. In 2020, he was nominated for the “Best Drama” Writers Guild of Canada Award for his final episode.

After directing multiple short films that have screened for tens of thousands of people around the world, Ken was awarded the prestigious Directors Guild of Canada BC Emerging Greenlight award to direct a deeply personal short film titled, The Doukhobor. The film is now on the festival circuit, allowing Ken to focus on his feature directorial debut, Remnant.

Anthony Epp

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Anthony Epp is a filmmaker, producer, and director with experience in both independent and studio filmmaking in Vancouver. His passion for high-stakes storytelling and hands-on production expertise has made him a driving force in indie cinema.

He began his career with the documentary Unspoken Rules (2009) and later directed 13 Miles, a character-driven sports drama. Currently, he’s developing The Quiet Canadians, an espionage thriller blending real-world intrigue with grounded action.

Anthony has worked as an Assistant Director on award-winning films like Seagrass (2023) and The Island Between Tides (2024) and served as Production Manager on Ruthless Bastards, starring Sean Patrick Flanery. His background in entertainment law gives him a strategic edge in film production.

As co-host of Off The Lot, Anthony shares industry insights, practical advice, and real-world experiences from the world of indie filmmaking.