Elmwood Park

An electrifying psychological thriller from an award-winning filmmaker with acclaimed cast + crew

https://wefunder.com/elmwoodpark

Total raised on Wefunder: 96635

Total investors: 111

Quick facts

  • INDEPENDENT FILM STARRING: James Duval, Bai Ling, Catherine Curtin & more!
  • ALIGNMENT: Invest alongside experienced film financiers with EXACT SAME ROI terms.
  • FAN-FIRST MODEL: Potential to recoup 120% of investment (132% for early bird investors)
  • AWARD-WINNING TEAM: Seasoned team of highly acclaimed producers, EPs, casting director & more.
  • AUTEUR WRITER / DIRECTOR: Gregory Falatek is an award-winning filmmaker from Norristown, PA.
  • BUCKET LIST PERKS: producer credits, set visits, premiere tickets, production updates & more.
  • MARKETABILITY: Thriller & Crime Dramas are popular content genres with high demand.

Team profiles

Featured investor profiles

Elmwood Park

An electrifying psychological thriller from an award-winning filmmaker with acclaimed cast + crew

Funded badge
Last Funded May 2026

$96,635

raised from 111 investors

Highlights

1
INDEPENDENT FILM STARRING: James Duval, Bai Ling, Catherine Curtin & more!
2
ALIGNMENT: Invest alongside experienced film financiers with EXACT SAME ROI terms.
3
FAN-FIRST MODEL: Potential to recoup 120% of investment (132% for early bird investors)
4
AWARD-WINNING TEAM: Seasoned team of highly acclaimed producers, EPs, casting director & more.

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Team


Welcome to Elmwood Park.

Book a meeting with the Writer + Director of the film, Gregory Falatek, and producer + wardrobe designer, Codi Chun:

https://calendar.app.google/cgU5Y5MXYtGkfT1T9

Why does this film need to made right now?

As the writer + director of this film, a resident of the town where production will take place, and a family member of someone who was locked in this very state hospital from his early teenage years until death, I am the perfect person to tell this story.

This film is an exploration of youth, mental health, and how institutions of church, school, and medicine have failed members of society for years. Elmwood Park is a meditation on what it means to be a product of your own environment and how truly difficult that can be for people.

My hometown, like many places in the United States of America, is undergoing serious renovations and this film will be the last chance to capture its current look, feel, and controversial history before the town covers it up forever. Many things in our neighborhood have already started to change and this film will be an homage to its strange past.

In my opinion, the innate beauty of the medium of film is the the collaboration of multiple people to create one singular piece of art. I would love to collaborate with you to tell a story that means so much to me.

Three high school boys are led on a strange, psychedelic journey through the underworld of a run-down American town.

MEET THE AWARD-WINNING CREATIVE TEAM

Gregory Falatek is a writer/director and actor who was born in Philadelphia and raised in the Montgomery County neighborhood where we will be filming Elmwood Park. Gregory's scripts and short films have won awards at international film festivals over the last 8 years. He is also an actor in several independent films such as Ham on Rye, Christmas Eve in Miller's Point and Eephus, the latter 2 of which premiered at Quinzaine des cinéastes 2024, the Directors Fortnight, which is an independent films section that runs parallel to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, The New York Film Festival, AFI Fest and more; both films also were released in theaters international as well as regionally by IFC Films and Music Box Films.

Joining Gregory is producer and costume designer Codi Chun (Times with God), known for her noteworthy designs that have been seen in international magazines and web articles such as Rolling Stone Magazine, Vogue Italia and more.

This exceptional team, working hand-in-hand with Gregory Falatek, represents some of the most exciting rising talent in the industry today.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME PERKS

An investment in Elmwood Park not only holds the potential for financial upside, but also exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime perks and experiences most other investments can't provide.

Community Investment Tier:

$100

  1. Digital download of the film upon release
  2. Invest alongside professional film investors with the exact same terms

$500

  1. Your name in the Special Thanks credits in the end credits of the film*
  2. All previous perks

$1000

  1. Limited Edition Blu-Ray, upon release of the film, with exclusive behind the scenes and cast & crew interviews
  2. 35mm Film Strip Print Bookmark from the 35mm print of the film
  3. All previous perks

Standard Investment Tier:

$5,000

  1. IMDb Special Thanks credit
  2. Elmwood Park merch package upon release of the film
  3. All previous perks

$10,000

  1. One wardrobe piece from the set
  2. Signed Movie Poster by cast & crew
  3. All previous perks

$25,000 - A day on set!

  1. An exclusive tour of the set (travel & lodging at your own expense**). Join the cast & crew on set for One Day! You and your +1 can visit the set during filming dates in Fall 2025 and have lunch with the cast & crew. Opportunity to be a featured background actor on set (dependent on what scenes are being filmed during your visit, there is NO guarantee that you will be seen in the final edit - if there are no background actors needed that day you will NOT be featured).
  2. All previous perks

$50,000 - Associate Producer Investment Tier - Closing Credits

  1. You or your company will be credited as Associate Producer in the closing credits* + IMDB credits of the film
  2. VIP Invitation to the World Premiere of the film (travel & lodging at your own expense**) with the opportunity to walk the Red Carpet. 2 Tickets.
  3. All previous perks

$100,000 - Associate Producer Investment Tier - Opening Credits

  1. You or your company will be credited as Associate Producer in the OPENING credits on a shared card among all other Associate Producers at this investment level* + IMDB credits of the film
  2. Receive a one of a kind prop from set that will be seen in the film!
  3. All previous perks

$200,000 - Co-Producer Investment Tier

  1. You will be credited as a Co-Producer in the opening credits on a shared card among all other Co-Producers and in the closing credits* + IMDB credits of the film
  2. All previous perks

$300,000 - Executive Producer Investment Tier

  1. One animated company logo in the opening credit on a most favored nations basis with all other investors at this level*
  2. Executive Producer on screen credit in the main credit and in the closing credits*
  3. Options to add your company logo in the closing credits*
  4. VIP Invitation to the World Premiere of the film (travel & lodging at your own expense**) with the opportunity to walk the Red Carpet. 4 Tickets.
  5. All previous perks

*Credit on theatrical release is based on final distributor approval. But is guaranteed to appear in Stony Creek Studios releases and websites and other platforms such as streaming, on DVD and more.

**Travel and lodging NOT included - at your own expense.

PENNSYLVANIA TAX CREDIT

Pennsylvania offers a 25% tax credit on films produced in the state. We would receive about 20% back from the state of Pennsylvania upon completion of the film. This is a great way to de-escalate risk for all investors and increase the upside and profit potential of your investment.

RISK VS. REWARD

The film industry is high-risk and success-driven, where only a handful of projects achieve significant financial returns. While some small-budget films achieve massive box office returns, many independent films struggle to secure distribution. In fact, most indie films lose money, which is why it’s crucial to invest only what you can afford to risk.

That said, while every film is a gamble, we believe there are ways to improve the odds:

  1. Keeping the budget as low as possible makes the bar for success easier to clear. With a budget of less than $1M, we believe Elmwood Park is in a budget range that offers us all a better chance at success.
  2. Attaching recognizable actors in the film increases the chances of distribution and a larger theatrical release. Our cast includes Kate Flannery, Bai Ling, Conner Marx, H. Foley, and more. We are currently in negotiations with several agents of A-list talent for multiple roles in the film and will update the campaign with new attachments soon.
  3. Our marketing team has created multiple plans for the distribution of the film so that we can decrease risk and increase the potential of any possible profits.

Beyond financial considerations, filmmaking carries additional risks, including funding shortfalls, production challenges, external disruptions (e.g., strikes, economic downturns, pandemics, etc.) and more.

However, risk comes with the potential for reward. Stony Creek Studios, Gregory Falatek, and our entire team are investing our time, money, and passion because we believe this project has the potential to defy the odds. Not only does it explore universal themes of examining how diverse family dynamics and environments shape individuals and the impact it has on the trajectory of their lives, but it also delivers a thrilling cinematic experience designed to captivate audiences. If you're willing to embark on this journey with us, we'd love to have you on board.

BUDGET & MONETIZATION

Operating within a streamlined budget, we are focused on creating a high-quality, professional film without the extravagant spending typical in larger production companies. Our budget strategy has been carefully considered with several goals in mind:

  1. Attaching name actors to increase the likelihood of sales and distribution.
  2. Filming in Pennsylvania to maximize cost efficiency and leverage the 25% PA Film Tax Credit.
  3. Prioritizing powerful storytelling and production value while maintaining financial discipline.

Our goal is to invest in what truly enhances the film and leverage our personal and professional skills and connections in order to keep costs as low as possible as well as to increase our chances of a profitable sale, acquisition, or release.

PRODUCTION STATUS & TIMING

We are currently on schedule for a 23 day production to be filmed in Norristown, PA starting on February 14, 2026 and wrapping by March 16, 2026. Editing will take place between April 2026-December 2026 with the goal to submit the film to the 2027 festival circuit. Our team has extensive connections and alumni status with large festivals across the globe. With an exceptional cast and crew, we’re excited to bring this vision to life. Post-production will take about 3-6+ months after filming. Our goal is to premiere Elmwood Park on the 2027 film festival circuit, followed by a 2027 worldwide theatrical release, before a VOD/streaming release.

HOW DOES THE FILM MAKE MONEY?

Independent films like ours have the potential for profit from multiple means of distribution, including festivals, theatrical screenings, DVD/Blu-Ray, Video On Demand, streaming, and more. The distribution of films can vary – some films employ a traditional release strategy that includes theaters, DVDs, VOD, streaming, etc. or another option is to go directly to a streaming service such as Mubi, Netflix, Tubi, etc. Some films don’t get distribution at all.

Our goal for the project will be to license the film to one or more distributors who will be responsible for distributing the film in one or multiple territories regionally as well as internationally over a specified period of time (e.g. 5 years). The distributor’s responsibility is to make as much profit from the film as possible. In return they keep a cut of any revenue they earn (and recoup any out of pocket expenses they incur in promoting it) before paying the remainder to us. We also plan on making a collection of unique merchandise that fans will be able to purchase online and in person at festivals and theatrical screenings that we are able to attend.

HOW IS MONEY DISTRIBUTED?

All revenue earned by the film is collected by a 3rd party Collection Account Manager (CAM) which is responsible for delivering it to stakeholders according to the "waterfall." The complete waterfall can be found in the Exhibit 1 of the Investment Agreement, and is summarized below.

Revenue earned by the film is distributed in the following priority order:

  1. First, any 3rd party expenses, fees, residuals, etc. that need to be taken off the top before revenue can be distributed to stakeholders
  2. Next, to paying off any debt or deferrals incurred by the production (including, if any, senior debt and/or deferred producer/directing fees)
  3. Next, to equity investors (including investors in this offering) until they have received 120% of their investment amount.
  4. Next to talent for any box office bonuses, etc.
  5. Anything left over is considered "Net Profits", and is allocated on a pro rata, pari passu basis, with 50% going to all of the investors who financed the film (including the investors in this offering) and the other 50% going to producers, key talent, and those responsible for making the film.

As with all investments, returns are not guaranteed, therefore you should not invest more than you can afford to risk. However, successful independent films can generate substantial profits. Regardless of financial outcomes, being part of a film is a unique and rewarding experience.

WHEN DOES THE INVESTMENT END?

There are a very broad range of outcomes for an investment like this. Some films are "bought" in a single transaction, while others generate revenue in perpetuity (and some don't earn any revenue at all). Investments in Elmwood Park remain active as long as the film generates revenue. If the project is ever sold or transferred, revenue generated by the sale/transfer will be treated and distributed under the same terms as the other revenue generated by the project.

BOTTOM LINE

Elmwood Park enters a market eager for psychological thrillers and original screenplays. With its gripping story, relatable themes, and authentic dialogue, we believe it has the power to captivate audiences.

By optimizing our budget, securing exceptional talent and a brilliant crew we’ve positioned this film for both critical acclaim and financial success.

We deeply appreciate your trust and support. Thank you for joining us on this journey to create bold, unforgettable cinema.


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