We Don't Discount. We Invest.
Every year, SoundStart partners with a small number of independent feature films that we believe deserve to exist.
Our Approach
The reality is that many ambitious filmmakers simply don't have the budget to access world-class sound post-production. Yet sound is one of the most important ingredients in creating an immersive cinematic experience and helping a film compete on the festival circuit, with distributors and ultimately with audiences.
SoundStart Features was created to bridge that gap.
Rather than simply offering discounted services, we treat selected projects as creative investments. We contribute our facilities, expertise and time in exchange for a shared stake in the film's future success.
This allows filmmakers to access professional post-production support while ensuring that everyone involved is aligned behind the long-term success of the project.
What We Look For.
We are highly selective.
Each year we support only a handful of projects that demonstrate exceptional creative potential.
Projects are evaluated on:
Strength of script and storytelling
Vision and capability of the director
Quality of the production team
Festival and commercial potential
Originality and creative ambition
Realistic plans for completion, distribution and audience growth
We don't select films on budget.
We select films because we believe in them.
What Selected Films Receive.
Depending on the needs of the project, support may include:
Dialogue editing
Sound design
Foley and effects creation
ADR recording and supervision
Re-recording mixing
Festival and distribution deliverables
Creative and technical consultation
Access to Bigmouth Audio's award-winning facilities
Selected projects may receive support with a commercial value of £15,000 - £30,000+, depending on the scope of the film.
How The Investment Works
Every project is different, but a typical SoundStart Features partnership might look something like this:
Commercial Value of Support:
Dialogue Editing = £5k
Sound Editorial / Foley = £15k
Final Mix & Deliverables: £5k
Total Investment Value: £25,000
Production Contribution:
£4,000 cash budget
SoundStart Contribution:
£21,000 creative investment through deferred fees and post-production support
In Return:
SoundStart typically receives:
Deferred fees payable from future revenues
Backend participation
Executive Producer credit
Case study and promotional rights
Every project is negotiated individually, but the principle remains the same:
We invest alongside filmmakers rather than simply acting as a supplier.
Why We Do This
Most service providers are paid whether a film succeeds or fails. We believe the best partnerships happen when everyone has a shared interest in the outcome.
SoundStart Features exists because we want to champion ambitious filmmakers and help exceptional stories reach audiences.
By investing our time, facilities and expertise into a small number of carefully selected projects each year, we're able to support films that might otherwise struggle to access professional post-production.
Who Should Apply?
SoundStart Features is designed for:
Independent feature films
First and second-time feature directors
Festival-focused projects
Genre films with commercial potential
Character-driven dramas
Bold, original voices
Whether you're preparing for production, heading into post-production or looking for a creative partner to help finish your film, we'd love to hear from you.