Many significant moments unfolded during the Oscars broadcast on Sunday night: The First Lady revealed the Best Picture winner, a film inspired by a popular story clinched the top award, and William Shatner provided some helpful advice to host Seth MacFarlane.
However, one of the most intriguing, yet less publicized pieces of news from the event was the success of Inocente, the first film funded through Kickstarter to win an Oscar. This compelling documentary focuses on the life of a 15-year-old homeless girl with aspirations of becoming an artist, and it took home the award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) during the ceremony. Remarkably, Inocente, which garnered $52,527 via crowdfunding, wasn’t the only project competing for an accolade from the platform; it was up against Kings Point, another short documentary, along with the live-action short Buzkashi Boys. In previous years, three films funded through Kickstarter received nominations, though none managed to secure a win.
Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler expressed excitement about the recognition these projects are receiving, stating, "It’s great to see that these initiatives are not only being funded but also acknowledged by industry influencers." He noted that within the independent film sector, there is growing awareness of Kickstarter’s impact.
The victory of Inocente signifies the platform’s emerging influence in the film industry, resembling a crowdfunded version of a major film production company. Just last month, it was reported that Kickstarter had surpassed $100 million in donations for independent films, financing approximately 10 percent of the Sundance Film Festival slate this year. Beyond financial support, the platform cultivates a community of enthusiastic backers for each film.
Seth Fine, co-director of Inocente, shared how crowdfunding played a crucial role in the film’s development, stating, "It helped us fund much of the project and made it possible to complete post-production. It’s a fantastic resource for filmmakers, especially in the documentary space."
The Academy wasn’t the only entity recognizing crowdfunding efforts during Oscar weekend; two other financed films, Gimme the Loot and The Waiting Room, also received accolades at the Independent Spirit Awards. Next month, a variety of Kickstarter-backed projects are set to debut at South By Southwest, following the success of previous titles like Brooklyn Castle and Gimme the Loot in 2012. This highlights that there are multiple pathways to creating compelling cinema. "We celebrate when anyone utilizes the platform, and when their work is acknowledged, it underscores the validity of this approach to art," Strickler explained. "It stands alongside any traditional methods."
For those interested, the trailer for Inocente is available below, and the film can also be found on iTunes for those looking to view it in full.