Pacific Film Foundation

---

FOUNDING A NONPROFIT FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY

In early 2005, Joe Hartnett, a partner in an Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) agency in Santa Monica, CA, was approached by a client to develop and produce a documentary film. 

Joe had extensive experience as a brand consultant, incluidng TV and film work, productions, and promotions for prominent organizations like the City of Hope (COH), a renowned research and treatment center in California. City of Hope wanted a documentary to highlight how their onsite physicians and scientists develop breakthrough cancer treatments, which are then delivered in their state-of-the-art hospital. 

Joe enlisted Mark Jonathan Harris, a three-time Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker, as co-director for the project. To support this and future projects for organizations like COH, Joe established the Pacific Film Foundation (PFF), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. 

FOLLOWING THE HOLLYWOOD MODEL

PFF was designed to be an affordable resource for individuals and organizations to tell their stories using digital media, without diverting their funds from their primary missions. For example, PFF raised funds to complete COH’s short documentary, "A Delicate Balance."

PFF operates under what has been called the “Hollywood Model,” which focuses on minimizing costs for filmmakers. This includes not charging commissions on outside expenses or markups on salaries, and maintaining a scalable staff. During non-production periods, PFF operates with a minimal team, but can expand significantly during active production phases. For example, their recent film, "Pershing’s Paths of Glory," involved a crew of 82 shooting on WWI battlefields in France.

WE CAN BE YOUR FISCAL SPONSOR

PFF also began operating in 2018 as a Fiscal Sponsor, allowing filmmakers to benefit from the foundation’s tax-exempt status without the need to incorporate their own nonprofit. As a Fiscal Sponsor, PFF provides administrative services and oversight for documentary films as sponsored projects. Filmmakers maintain control over their projects, while PFF assumes limited legal and financial liability, ensuring that funds are used appropriately.

PFF charges a minimum fee of 5% for processing donations as a Fiscal Sponsor. For projects where PFF provides additional services such as development, fundraising, production, or marketing, the Fiscal Sponsorship fee can range from 9% to 15%, depending on the level of involvement. PFF also offers distribution assistance, leveraging their ongoing experience with distributors like Dreamscape and Shout! Factory.

With its streamlined businerss model and suite of support services, PFF aims to be a valuable partner for filmmakers looking to bring their projects to life in a collaborative and efficient environment.

Please do Drop us a line!

Joe Hartnett, Dayle Hartnett, Ph.D., and Mochi Park