# Starfish Film LLC Back the original sci-fi film with a projected path to Sundance, distribution, and ROI - Canonical URL: https://wefunder.com/starfishfilm - Entity ID: wefunder:company:173901 - Last updated: 2026-06-06T05:02:23Z - Generated at: 2026-06-07T03:13:20Z ## Quick facts - Our talented team has worked with studios including A24, Netflix, Neon, Ubisoft & Riot Games - More than 40 awards won for prior films - Over 45 million views garnered for online film content created - Our director has run and owned his own production and marketing company for 8+ years - Our producer successfully raised $240k+ for a startup venture in 2014 - For the concept scene, we worked with six time Emmy winner, Scott Takeda ## Active fundraises - wefunder:fundraise:133737: 4(a)(6) successful (USD) - wefunder:fundraise:133736: 4(a)(6) successful (USD) ## Story SCHEDULE A CALL WITH USStarfish is broken into 3 chapters:We shot our proof of concept scene to demonstrate we're capable of an A-list sense of style and presentation for a fraction of the cost:Watch Tenkara now, a scene straight from the script (Jonah and Marie negotiate with a business tycoon to fund their project):Each character represents a unique point of view, trying to get their second chance from the clone while offering perspective on the ethically fraught scenario the film examines:Casting is underway, and we have exciting news incoming!Theatrical Release StrategyWhile most indie filmmakers hope and pray for a studio sale, we've already secured distribution through Atlas while leaving room for the potential everyone dreams of.Every dollar invested will support the production needs of Starfish. Production costs will include cast, locations, crew, set design, management fees and much more. Our income streams will include deals negotiated with domestic and international distributors. Net profits generated will then flow to investors, based on their percentage of the total funds raised, at the exclusion of the creators of Starfish until returns are realized by all investors:RECOUPMENT:110% of investment120% for early bird investorsInvestors will be entitled to 110% of their initial investment (120% for Early Bird Investors) PLUS 40% of Net Profits. If less than $560k is raised through Wefunder, investors' share of net profits will be proportionally lowered.Investing in this Wefunder raise means investing in our film, Starfish, under the terms outlined in our Film Financing Agreement.Once the film is complete, we plan to submit to top-tier film festivals, including Sundance, SXSW, and Cannes. Following this, we will aggressively pursue high-level distribution by packaging the film with top agencies, distributors, and sales companies such as A24, Neon, IFC Films, etc.Additionally, we will utilize our self-distribution and marketing strategy as listed above, growing organic support and interest for Starfish through online channels such as reddit, YouTube, and other social media.Forward-looking statements are not guaranteed.PERKSAs a small way to show our gratitude, we've put together some sweet Perks just for our Wefunder investors.Your contribution goes beyond a standard EP: you're a proper film financier and your legacy will be etched in film, a medium that lasts forever and continues to shape art and culture for centuries to come. As a token of our appreciation, you'll get to keep a piece of Starfish history in your home.+ Exclusive Screen-Used Prop or Wardrobe Piece — own a tangible piece of Starfish history. (Only 3 available)+All lower-tier perksYou're now an executive producer of STARFISH, complete with IMDb and screen credits. To say we’re thankful would be a massive understatement. Including all below rewards, you're invited to join us for the red carpet premiere, wrap parties and festival screenings!+ Two tickets to the MAIN premiere! (STARFISH Official Release at respective Film Festival - travel/lodging not included)+ Invitation to a "cast & crew" screening in Denver, Colorado (travel/lodging not included)+ An "Executive Producer" credit — on screen, IMDb, and the movie poster+ Your Company Logo in credits+ A 1-day visit to the set (travel/lodging not included)+ A limited edition poster signed by main cast and writer/director/producer+ A copy of shooting script signed by the team+ A private link to the film once completed+ A specialized thank-you card from the team+ A shout out on STARFISH's social media+ All lower-tier perks+ Invitation to a "cast & crew" screening in Denver, Colorado (travel/lodging not included)+ A "Co-Producer" on-screen credit+ A 1-day visit to the set (travel/lodging not included)+ A limited edition poster signed by main cast and writer/director/producer+ A copy of shooting script signed by the team+ A private link to the film once completed+ A specialized thank-you card from the team+ A shout out on STARFISH's social media+ All lower-tier perks+ A 1-day visit to the set (travel/lodging not included)+ A limited edition poster signed by main cast and writer/director/producer+ An "Associate Producer" credit+ A copy of shooting script signed by the team+ A private link to the film once completed+ A specialized thank-you card from the team+ A shout out on STARFISH's social media+ All lower-tier perks+ A "special thanks" credit+ A copy of shooting script signed by the team+ A private link to the film once completed+ A specialized thank-you card from the team+ A shout out on STARFISH's social media+ All lower-tier perks+ A private link to the film once completed+ A specialized thank-you card from the team+ A shout out on STARFISH's social media+ All lower-tier perks+ A shout out on STARFISH's social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook)+ A signed STARFISH poster+ Our eternal love and gratitudeABOUT USSCHEDULE A CALL WITH US ## FAQ 1. **The docs assume 20% fees (platform + agent), but do not define: 1. Whether net is post-distributor deliverables. 2. If marketing, residuals, or deferred creator fees are deducted. 3. Who audits or signs off on this number. Is ‘net revenue’ defined in the LLC’s operating agreem...** - Hi Ritesh! Thanks for raising these questions. In our forecast, we treat “net revenue” as the money we actually collect after we pay our platform and agent their 20 percent cut. Everything else—like making the deliverables, running marketing campaigns, and settling any deferred fees or residuals—gets handled later in the payment waterfall. The PPM today defines “net cash flow” a bit more broadly, taking out those costs upfront, so we’ll be updating the LLC agreement to make our pro forma defi... 2. **The Business Plan says 40% of net profits go to investors — but this is not enforceable unless: It's in the Operating Agreement or In a legally binding Subscription Agreement (which is not included in any of the files you shared). Is the 40% profit share and preferred return s...** - Thanks for the question, Ritesh. Under SEC guidelines, we are 'Testing the Waters'. Right now, we are not asking for investment but gauging investor interest. Our subscription agreement is under review by WeFunder as we speak, and any proposed investment made now will be followed up with the opportunity to make a final investment WITH our final PPM after our audit is finished. The PPM handles the 40% profit share, and you will have the opportunity to review in full before final commitment. An... 3. **Are distribution deliverables, publicity, and residual costs recouped before investor payout? If so, are those capped or disclosed?** - Yes—in our current PPM, all delivery costs (DCPs, subtitling, masters, etc.) and marketing/publicity fees are deducted as “customary costs” before we calculate Net Cash Flow, so they’re effectively repaid ahead of any investor distributions. Those line items aren’t individually capped or broken out in the PPM—they ride under the broad “distribution expenses” and “marketing” buckets. Residuals or deferred creator fees aren’t called out separately and default into “operating expenses,” giving M... 4. **Will the LLC be closed after Starfish is monetized, or can it be repurposed? Do creators have the ability to dilute investors or take backend fees not disclosed here?** - Please keep in mind that WeFunder is reviewing our PPM and auditing our information and some of these terms are subject to change, and I would advise you to read the final PPM and Operating Agreement once they are submitted for investor review. As it stands, our Operating Agreement lets us keep the LLC alive (or fold it into something new) long after Starfish wraps. Investor profit and reporting rights end ten years after the film’s first commercial release, but the managers can at any time m... 5. **What tax documents will investors receive (K-1, 1099, etc.)? Will Section 181 be used and passed through?** - As it stands, investors won’t get 1099s for distributions—Starfish is a Colorado LLC taxed as a partnership, so every year the Company will file Form 1065 and issue each Investor a Schedule K-1 showing their share of the film’s income, losses (including production deductions) and any Section 181 write-off. We do plan to elect the Section 181 “film expensing” deduction on our return, and that deduction flows straight through to each K-1 (subject to your individual basis and at-risk limits). No... ## Team - Micah Groenevelt (Writer/Director/Producer) - Jeffrey Carabelos (Writer/Producer/Composer) ## Recent posts - 12 hours left to Invest! (2026-04-30T16:24:16Z) - Only 8 Days Remaining! (2026-04-22T18:53:44Z) - This is your last opportunity to get a piece of the pie! (2026-03-19T21:07:20Z) - We see the problems in Hollywood and designed an original sci-fi designed to counter them. (2026-02-12T23:53:17Z) - (2025-11-18T19:34:26Z) - An original sci-fi film with a clear path to Sundance, distribution, and ROI We just broke 6 figures in our raise! Perfect momentum as we headed into The American Film market to meet fellow filmmakers, distributors, international sales reps, and pitch the film to additional investors. The main takeaway: We're NOT like other indie films! Not a single filmmaker I met or heard from has been taking into account marketing and distribution strategies months before entering production. The main fact... (2025-11-18T19:25:22Z) - Posters, Mixers, and Webinars (2025-11-03T19:00:51Z) - What do people say about STARFISH? (2025-10-23T20:07:23Z) - Live Webinar for Starfish (Tomorrow 12PM MST) (2025-10-22T16:00:43Z) - Guest on Invst Guru Podcast! (2025-10-20T18:27:50Z) - Flights are Booked for AFM (American Film Market) (2025-10-14T21:35:26Z) - ROI Strategy for Starfish (2025-10-06T17:46:49Z) - The Mixer! (2025-09-29T17:30:02Z) - Head + Heart (Our Approach) (2025-09-16T15:35:35Z) - We're Officially LIVE - THANK YOU! (ACTION NEEDED) (2025-08-25T17:01:13Z) ## Q&A - Q: What tax documents will investors receive (K-1, 1099, etc.)? Will Section 181 be used and passed through? - A: As it stands, investors won’t get 1099s for distributions—Starfish is a Colorado LLC taxed as a partnership, so every year the Company will file Form 1065 and issue each Investor a Schedule K-1 showing their share of the film’s income, losses (including production deductions) and any Section 181 write-off. We do plan to elect the Section 181 “film expensing” deduction on our return, and that deduction flows straight through to each K-1 (subject to your individual basis and at-risk limits). Note that grants, rebates and other tax incentives (including the Section 181 deduction) are expressly carved out from “revenue” for recoupment or profit-sharing purposes and are not included in revenue. - Q: How often do investors receive updates on the progress of the film? - A: Currently we are updating the overall updates once per month. But we often update a lot more often depending on the big news or progress we make! Glad you're following! We have a big update coming in the next week! - Q: Thanks Jeffrey. I understand. I was looking to pick your brain (chat) as someone who has raised funds on the platform for your movie. Are you available for a zoom sometime next week? - A: Happy to chat, you can schedule here: https://calendly.com/jeff-carabelos/30min - Q: Hi Jeffrey, My name is Wilmos. I’m a filmmaker considering using your platform to raise funds for a project I’m developing, and I was hoping to get your perspective on a few things before officially launching. If you have 30 minutes to an hour to spare sometime in the coming weeks, I’d really appreciate the opportunity to connect and pick your brain. Thanks so much for your time and consideration. Best, Wilmos - A: Hey there! Thanks for reaching out. WeFunder is not my platform, it's a separate company that hosts these fundraisers, including my fundraiser for Starfish. You can learn more and set your project up at wefunder.com, but I'm happy to chat otherwise. - Q: How is the waterfall enforced? Will distributions be managed by a third party to ensure investors are paid before creators? - A: By contract, every dollar of “Net Cash Flow” flows into the LLC, and our Operating Agreement makes the distribution waterfall legally binding. Micah and I, as the sole Managers, have a fiduciary duty to apply that waterfall exactly as written, so investors recoup first, then any remaining proceeds flow into the Producer’s Unit. We don’t, by default, appoint a separate escrow or distribution trustee—the Managers themselves collect revenues, hold them in the Company’s account, and issue payments per the waterfall. If you’d prefer an independent third-party to handle collections and payouts, we can explore this option provided it is financially feasible for the LLC. If you have suggestions, we are open to them. Please keep in mind our final operating agreement and PPM are subject to change. Please be sure to thoroughly review these documents before finalizing your investment. - Q: Will the LLC be closed after Starfish is monetized, or can it be repurposed? Do creators have the ability to dilute investors or take backend fees not disclosed here? - A: Please keep in mind that WeFunder is reviewing our PPM and auditing our information and some of these terms are subject to change, and I would advise you to read the final PPM and Operating Agreement once they are submitted for investor review. As it stands, our Operating Agreement lets us keep the LLC alive (or fold it into something new) long after Starfish wraps. Investor profit and reporting rights end ten years after the film’s first commercial release, but the managers can at any time merge, dissolve, reorganize, or convert the company into another entity without needing investor approval. We’ve also reserved the right to issue additional membership units or other securities without investor consent—so your percentage ownership could be diluted if we raise more capital or change the structure—and all of our creator backend compensation is drawn solely from the Producer’s Unit budget line, with the ability to extend this total amount as needed for operational costs alone. There are no additional backend fees -- the producers expect to profit only if investors profit, and all costs allocated to the producer's unit are intended to ensure the producer's can focus their full efforts and attention on the film without needing secondary income. - Q: Are distribution deliverables, publicity, and residual costs recouped before investor payout? If so, are those capped or disclosed? - A: Yes—in our current PPM, all delivery costs (DCPs, subtitling, masters, etc.) and marketing/publicity fees are deducted as “customary costs” before we calculate Net Cash Flow, so they’re effectively repaid ahead of any investor distributions. Those line items aren’t individually capped or broken out in the PPM—they ride under the broad “distribution expenses” and “marketing” buckets. Residuals or deferred creator fees aren’t called out separately and default into “operating expenses,” giving Management discretion over timing and amount. Our operating agreement will make those caps and disclosures crystal clear. Again, please be sure to review the final PPM and agreement after WeFunder concludes their audit. - Q: The Business Plan says 40% of net profits go to investors — but this is not enforceable unless: It's in the Operating Agreement or In a legally binding Subscription Agreement (which is not included in any of the files you shared). Is the 40% profit share and preferred return structure defined in legal documents such as the PPM or operating agreement? Can we review those before committing funds? - A: Thanks for the question, Ritesh. Under SEC guidelines, we are 'Testing the Waters'. Right now, we are not asking for investment but gauging investor interest. Our subscription agreement is under review by WeFunder as we speak, and any proposed investment made now will be followed up with the opportunity to make a final investment WITH our final PPM after our audit is finished. The PPM handles the 40% profit share, and you will have the opportunity to review in full before final commitment. Any amount you reserve now will not be committed until the final PPM is released. Disclaimer: We are 'testing the waters' to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited. If sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities will be accepted. No part of the purchase price will be received until a Form C is filed and only through Wefunder’s platform. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind. - Q: The docs assume 20% fees (platform + agent), but do not define: 1. Whether net is post-distributor deliverables. 2. If marketing, residuals, or deferred creator fees are deducted. 3. Who audits or signs off on this number. Is ‘net revenue’ defined in the LLC’s operating agreement? Is it audited, or self-reported by the team? - A: Hi Ritesh! Thanks for raising these questions. In our forecast, we treat “net revenue” as the money we actually collect after we pay our platform and agent their 20 percent cut. Everything else—like making the deliverables, running marketing campaigns, and settling any deferred fees or residuals—gets handled later in the payment waterfall. The PPM today defines “net cash flow” a bit more broadly, taking out those costs upfront, so we’ll be updating the LLC agreement to make our pro forma definition crystal clear and carve out downstream costs into later tiers. Overall, structuring the pro forma to only deduct platform and agent fees early on is standard in indie-finance—it speeds up the initial recoupment for investors and keeps later expenses visible so everyone knows exactly where money is going. The main thing to watch is that if marketing or deliverables run over budget, it can push back later payouts, which is why clear definitions and good reporting are so important. We’ll engage a CPA for the initial Reg CF filing review or audit as required, then self-certify our annual C-AR reports without ongoing CPA fees. Until the film generates a meaningful revenue threshold, we’ll rely on cost-effective compilations and internal accounting. Once gross distributions hit our agreed trigger, we’ll switch to formal annual CPA reviews so investors get independent assurance. This is common in indie film. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks to this approach or the agreement language. I am answering the rest of your questions momentarily. - Q: What was the amount of your Valuation Cap that you submitted to your Wefunder setup? - A: Hey Seth, thanks for reaching out! Our campaign uses a Film Financing Agreement, not a SAFE, so there is no valuation cap. Investors receive 110% repayment (120% for Early Bird investors) plus a 40% share of net receipts. Please let me know if you have any additional questions!