📅 Schedule a Call with Julian Sibal

OUR STORY - From the Writer & Director

I’m Julian Sibal, an independent writer-director whose award-winning short film Jake the Failure reached over 120,000 viewers online and screened at festivals across the U.S.

Floating in Riverview is a personal story about the in-between - the quiet space between who we are and who we’re trying to become, and the small moments of connection that carry us further than we ever expect.

I grew up in Chico, California, and spent years feeling like my life was on hold. Even after leaving to attend college and pursue filmmaking, that feeling stayed with me. I moved through community colleges and service jobs, watching friends move forward while I kept telling myself I’d get there “someday.” I lived in that suspended space for a long time - feeling time move forward while I stood still. That emotional reality is the heart of this film.

Ethan and Mona come from different places, but recognize in each other the same desire to become more than who they are. Their relationship is shaped by timing, uncertainty, and change - and it alters them even as they grow in different directions.

For me, this film is about the people who pass through our lives at exactly the moment we need them - not to stay forever, but to show us who we might become. Some relationships end, but their impact never does. They stay with us. And often, the people we lose become the reason we grow.

This is the most personal and ambitious project I’ve developed to date, and I’ve spent years developing the script, planning the production, and building real audience traction before inviting investors to join me in bringing this film to life.

Schedule a Conversation

Investing in an independent feature film is a significant decision. If you'd like to learn more about the project, discuss the business plan, or ask questions directly, I'd be happy to connect.

📅 Schedule a Call with Julian Sibal

I look forward to sharing more about the vision for Floating in Riverview and answering any questions you may have.

SYNOPSIS

In a fading Northern California town, a directionless community college student and a driven high-school senior are paired for an astronomy project. Over the course of a school year, their unexpected connection forces them to confront whether love can survive the futures pulling them in different directions.

A coming-of-age romantic drama about first love, ambition, and the cost of leaving home.

CHARACTERS

LOCATIONS

CINEMATOGRAPHY

FINANCIAL PLAN

PRODUCTION FINANCING & USE OF FUNDS

Floating in Riverview is being developed as an independently financed feature film, with a working fundraising target of approximately $400,000 to produce and complete the film.

Our production team, including line producer Jonathan Hsu, is refining the budget and shooting schedule to maximize production value while preserving the film's intimate, naturalistic storytelling.

How Funds Will Be Used

Investment capital will support the production and completion of Floating in Riverview, including:

1. Pre-Production: Casting, location scouting, and production planning.
2. Principal Photography: Cast and crew, equipment, locations, transportation, lodging, and production expenses.
3. Post-Production: Editing, sound design, color grading, music, and finishing.
4. Production Operations: Insurance, administrative expenses, and other necessary production costs.

Financing Strategy

Our financing strategy centers on raising capital through Wefunder and potential private investment, supplemented by possible sponsorships, grants, and other financing opportunities.

While our goal is to complete the film within approximately $400,000, the final budget is still being refined and may be higher. Additional financing may be necessary to complete production, post-production, or distribution-related activities.

The initial $50,000 Wefunder offering milestone represents an early financing milestone, not the full amount required to complete the film.

Our goal is to bring Floating in Riverview to audiences through a festival-first distribution strategy, followed by potential theatrical, streaming, and other distribution opportunities.

HOW INVESTING IN FLOATING IN RIVERVIEW WORKS

Floating in Riverview is developing a revenue-sharing investment structure designed to give investors an opportunity to participate financially in the film's potential success.

Proposed Investor Returns

Under the proposed structure, investors would participate in eligible film revenues through two stages:

1. Initial Investment Recoupment

Investors would be eligible to receive distributions toward a target return based on their original investment:

1. Early Investors: Qualifying investments within the first $100,000 of investment capital would be eligible for a target recoupment of 130% of their original investment.
2. Standard Investors: Subsequent qualifying investments would be eligible for a target recoupment of 125% of their original investment.

For example, a $1,000 investment under the early investor terms would have a target recoupment of $1,300, subject to sufficient available revenues and the final offering documents.

2. Additional Revenue Participation

Once all investors have received their applicable recoupment amounts (130% for qualifying early investors and 125% for standard investors), the proposed structure provides for a 50/50 split of defined distributable revenues between the investor pool and the production company.

Individual investor distributions would be determined according to the final offering documents.

Important Investment Risks

These are proposed financial terms, not guaranteed returns. Actual distributions will depend on the film's financial performance, available revenues, applicable expenses, and the final investment agreements.

Investing in independent films involves significant financial risk, including the possible loss of the entire investment. Neither repayment of invested capital nor additional financial returns are guaranteed.

We are currently in the Testing-the-Waters phase, accepting non-binding investment reservations. No securities are being sold at this stage.

All investment terms, payment priorities, revenue definitions, and investor rights remain subject to final legal documentation and applicable securities regulations.

FROM SHORT FILM TO FEATURE FILM

Award-Winning Short Film

Before developing Floating in Riverview, writer/director Julian Sibal created the award-winning short film Jake the Failure.

The film won multiple Audience Awards, screened at festivals across the United States, and reached over 120,000 viewers online.

The feature film Jake dreams of making in the short ultimately became Floating in Riverview.

🎬 Watch the Film

FLOATING IN RIVERVIEW — INVESTOR PERKS

In addition to the proposed revenue participation terms outlined above, we're offering exclusive perks to thank the people helping bring Floating in Riverview to life.

Our early investor bonus offers enhanced recoupment terms for the first $100,000 in qualifying investment capital, subject to the final offering documents.

The perks below are based on investment amount and are separate from the financial rights associated with an investment. All investment terms, eligibility requirements, and risks will be governed by the definitive offering documents.

Become one of the earliest supporters of Floating in Riverview.

1. "Special Thanks" credit in the film
2. Early access to trailers and production updates

Get a closer look at the filmmaking journey.

1. All previous perks
2. Private investor updates throughout production
3. Exclusive early access to the completed film, subject to festival and distribution restrictions.

Join the community helping bring the film to life.

1. All previous perks
2. Featured placement in the film's "Special Thanks" credits.
3. Exclusive behind-the-scenes content

See the film before the world does.

1. All previous perks
2. Access to a private rough-cut screening
3. Name listed on the official investor page
4. Exclusive virtual Q&A with writer/director Julian Sibal

Take home a piece of Floating in Riverview.

1. All previous perks
2. Limited-edition signed poster
3. Digital copy of the screenplay after release

Receive special recognition for helping bring Floating in Riverview to life.

1. Associate Producer credit in the film
2. IMDb credit submission, subject to IMDb approval
3. Invitation to a private Los Angeles screening, subject to availability and distribution considerations
4. All previous perks

Producer credits are honorary recognition for financial support and do not confer creative control or management authority. Credits are subject to applicable agreements and requirements.

Experience the filmmaking process from the inside.

1. Associate Producer credit in the film
2. Invitation to visit the set for one scheduled production day, subject to availability and production requirements
3. Opportunity to meet available cast and crew during the visit
4. Professional behind-the-scenes photo package, subject to production permissions
5. Invitation to a premiere or private screening, subject to availability
6. All previous perks

Travel and accommodations are not included unless separately agreed upon. Set visits and screenings are subject to production schedules, safety requirements, and applicable restrictions.

Limited to 5 investors

Step into the world of Floating in Riverview.

1. Opportunity to participate in a scheduled filming day as an on-screen background performer
2. Full-day on-set experience with cast and crew, subject to production requirements
3. Exclusive behind-the-scenes photo and video package, subject to production permissions
4. Invitation to a premiere or private screening, subject to availability
5. All previous perks

Participation is subject to casting eligibility, applicable union requirements, production scheduling, and completion of necessary agreements. Appearance in the final cut is not guaranteed. Travel and accommodations are not included unless separately agreed upon.

Play a significant role in bringing Floating in Riverview to life.

1. Co-Producer credit in the film (IMDb submission subject to approval)
2. Private dinner with writer/director Julian Sibal, scheduled by mutual agreement
3. Invitation to an exclusive rough-cut feedback screening
4. Set visit during production, subject to scheduling and production requirements
5. Invitation to a private cast and crew screening
6. Invitation to a premiere or private screening, subject to availability
7. Invitation to select festival screenings, if available
8. All applicable previous perks, excluding limited-availability on-screen experiences

Producer credit is recognition for financial support and does not confer creative control or management authority. Credit and experiences are subject to applicable agreements and production requirements. Travel and accommodations are not included unless otherwise agreed.

Become one of the Executive Producers of Floating in Riverview.

1. Executive Producer credit in the film (IMDb submission subject to approval)
2. VIP invitation for two to a premiere or private screening, subject to availability
3. Set access during production, subject to scheduling and production requirements
4. Invitation to select festival screenings, if available
5. Optional on-screen cameo opportunity, subject to casting eligibility, union requirements, and production scheduling; appearance in the final cut is not guaranteed
6. Exclusive production updates and scheduled one-on-one conversations with writer/director Julian Sibal throughout production
7. All applicable previous perks, excluding limited-availability on-screen experiences

Producer credit is recognition for financial support and does not confer creative control or management authority. Credit and experiences are subject to applicable agreements and production requirements. Travel and accommodations are not included unless otherwise agreed.

ABOUT US

JULIAN SIBAL — WRITER / DIRECTOR

Award-winning Filipino-American filmmaker and founder of Blackbot Productions.

His short film Jake the Failure won multiple Audience Awards, screened at film festivals across the U.S., and reached over 120,000 viewers online - demonstrating strong audience connection and storytelling impact.

He has collaborated with emerging and established talent, including actors featured in major productions such as Netflix’s When They See Us.

Floating in Riverview marks his debut feature film - built on years of development, real audience traction, and a deeply personal story rooted in his own experiences growing up in Northern California.

REYNOLDS BARNEY — EDITOR

Reynolds Barney is a Los Angeles-based film editor and graduate of the American Film Institute. A frequent collaborator of director Justin Chon, his credits include Gook, Ms. Purple, and Jamojaya, all Sundance Film Festival premieres, as well as Blue Bayou, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

He is a member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild and is represented by Independent Artist Group. Most recently, he completed work on Better Life starring Randall Park, Ming-Na Wen, and Margaret Cho.

As editor of Floating in Riverview, Reynolds brings extensive independent film experience and festival-level storytelling expertise to the project.

JOHNATHAN HSU — LINE PRODUCER

Jonathan Hsu is an award-winning producer and founder of Hsubox Productions, with extensive experience across independent film and commercial production.

His credits include A Wounded Fawn (AMC Shudder), the Oscar-qualifying short Starring Jerry as Himself, and Closing Dynasty (Netflix). Most recently, he served as line producer on Take Me Home (2026), which was selected for the Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals.

Previously an in-house line producer at BBDO Studios, Jonathan has produced over 400 commercials and digital projects, working with major brands including Apple, Meta, Starbucks, and AT&T.

A Gold House Future Film Fellow and Film Independent Fellow, Jonathan brings extensive production experience and industry relationships to Floating in Riverview, helping guide the film from development through production.

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🎬 Follow the Journey

We're documenting the making of Floating in Riverview in real time—from fundraising and pre-production through filming, post-production, and release.

If you'd like to follow the journey and see how an independent feature film comes to life, join us below.

🎵 TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@blackbot.productions

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Thank you for being part of bringing Floating in Riverview to life.

Whether you're investing, sharing the campaign, or simply following the journey, your support helps make independent filmmaking possible.

We can't wait to share this story with you.