Episode 289

Finding the Money to Make Movies, with Carlos López Estrada

MAY 13, 2026

Independent film financing can be one of the most mysterious — and most essential — parts of getting a movie made. In this illuminating panel discussion, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker (and Dolby Creator Lab Grant winner) Carlos López Estrada leads a practical conversation about how projects move from script to package to market, what financiers are actually looking for, and what emerging filmmakers can do to give their films the best possible chance of getting made.

Joining the discussion:

  • Marissa Frobes – Media Finance Agent, CAA
  • Chris Quintos Cathcart – Independent Financier and Co-CEO of Unapologetic Projects
  • Riel Roch-Decter – Producer (“Earnhardt”) and Co-founder of MEMORY

This is another installment of our ongoing “Satellite Sessions” series, which we’re bringing to you in partnership with Antigravity Academy and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment. 

Follow @antigravityacademy and @capeusa for more information on even more upcoming panels.

For more inspiring Satellite Sessions just like this one, be sure you are subscribed to Dolby Creator Talks wherever you get your podcasts.

You can also check out the video for this episode on YouTube.

Learn more about the Dolby Creator Lab and check out Dolby.com. Connect with Dolby on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn