I've recently completed a short film script (approx. 15 mins) and I would like to raise some money to make sure it's done well.

Ideally, I would like to push it around on the festival scene, and perhaps try to sell it to HBO/Cinemax/Showtime (they buy and show shorts all the time). Anyone ever work with them before?

I have some mention of eBay in the script, and would like to bring it to their attention to at least get permission to use their name, and, since it makes them look good, maybe try to weasel some sponsorship out of them too?

I also would like to figure out how I can possibly secure arts grants and such that might make the whole thing more feasible.

Does anyone have any ideas on any of these?

Still looking for some more info on this subject. If anyone has any pertinent info, that would be great!

As far as selling it to HBO/Cinemax/Showtime, I would try to find a producer experienced with dealing with large cable companies and have the do it for you. This will of course cost you money. I'm also trying to find more info on DIY short films sales.

If you are looking for grants and such, hit the web and do a search for them in your area. You will probably come up with plenty of hits.

Thanks Dylan. Been searching around for a bit with no great luck. I will try a grass-roots fundraising effort and see how that goes. In the mean time, I'm going to try contacting a person who I just remembered works for HBO. She once contacted me asking me to post a promotional piece on a site I made for 9/11, for HBO's 9/11 documentary a while back.

Heck, at least it's somethin'...