What if you could unlock the mysteries of film financing and finally bring your dream project to life? Sashi Arnold, a powerhouse producer and film financier, has gone from making teas and coffees on blockbuster sets to closing multi-million-dollar deals. In this no-holds-barred interview, Sashi shares his journey, mistakes filmmakers make, and practical advice to greenlight your next project.
Sashi, tell us about your journey. How did you get started in the industry?
My career started in London as an assistant director, making teas and coffees on sets like Jason Bourne, Fantastic Beasts, The Favourite, and even Star Wars. While I loved being on set, my ultimate goal was always producing.
I made a ton of short films with friends and crew members, even cheekily convincing Olivia Colman to be in one of my shorts while working on The Favourite. But after a few years, I realized I was missing key pieces of the puzzle—finance, distribution, and development. That realization led me to transition into film finance, working for a film bank that specialized in lending against pre-sales, tax credits, and other financial instruments.
What drew you to the world of film finance?
It was about understanding the full lifecycle of a film. By moving into finance, I could learn how to package projects properly and ensure they were ready for investors. I eventually helped set up a company that funded over $100 million against Netflix and Amazon receivables, providing producers and distributors the funds they needed upfront.
Now, I’m based in Australia, running a production and financial consulting business called Six Missing Chairs that helps filmmakers structure their packages to be investor-ready. We also produce our own movies.
For filmmakers trying to secure funding, what advice would you give?
First and foremost: think about your audience. Who’s going to watch your film, and how will you reach them? This is a business, and your film needs to have a clear route to market.
Start by creating a solid finance plan. Look at pre-sales, tax credits, government-incentives and private equity and how similar films have performed recently. Tools like Box Office Mojo and The Numbers are invaluable for analyzing comparable projects and make note of the press releases around festivals like Sundance or Berlin.
De-risk your project as much as possible. There are no guarantees in filmmaking, but if you can show clear market interest, pre-sales, sales estimates, tax incentives, or a clear route to your target audience, you’re far more likely to get funding.
What are three common mistakes filmmakers make when seeking financing?
- Numbers that don’t add up. Your finance plan, budget, and projections must align. Consistency is key.
- Ignoring collateral value. Understand what gives your film financial value—pre-sales, tax credits, or even secondary assets like property can bolster your pitch.
- Neglecting the audience. Too often, filmmakers focus solely on the creative without considering who will watch the film, how they will watch the film and why it will resonate.
What do you look for when evaluating a script or project?
After relocating to Australia, my business partner, Giuseppe Cassin, and I founded Six Missing Chairs, a company dedicated to producing elevated genre films with meaningful commentary on today’s world. Inspired by films like Get Out and Sorry to Bother You, we focus on creating socially relevant stories that are both thought-provoking and entertaining. Our mission is to empower filmmakers by offering comprehensive producing services that navigate the bureaucratic complexities of filmmaking, enabling them to tell stories that truly matter.
When we review a script, we go through two rounds of feedback to ensure it’s the best version of the story. We also do table reads with actors to see how the dialogue works off the page. Efficiency is critical—we avoid getting stuck in development hell.
You’ve mentioned the importance of having a solid structure for financing. Can you elaborate?
Absolutely. Filmmakers need a legal and financial structure in place to accept investments. That means having a compliant company, an investment vehicle, and a plan for paying out returns. Hire a good lawyer and accountant early—it will save you headaches later.
Do you accept submissions, and how can filmmakers work with you?
Yes, we accept submissions through official channels, but we’re selective. Filmmakers can submit scripts for consideration, and if we see potential, we’ll provide coverage and feedback. If we decide to produce the project, we handle the packaging and financing, with our producer fees built into the budget.
We also offer consulting services to help producers get their projects investor-ready, which includes finance plans, projections, and comparative analysis.
Where do you see the film industry heading in the next few years?
The industry is in a constant state of evolution. Streaming has changed everything, but it’s also opened new opportunities for independent filmmakers. To succeed, you need to be adaptable, realistic about budgets, and focused on your audience.
I also believe in the power of elevated genre films—stories that entertain while saying something meaningful. Films that matter will always find an audience.
