The film’s budget is $700,000, which will allow us to spend about 18 months crafting a beautiful, premium documentary with stunning 4K cinematography. This budget is lower than many similar 90 minute documentaries made for streaming networks in the US. We are able to make the film for this lower budget because many of our crew are reducing their fees out of good will towards the project. We need to raise an estimated $150,000 of the budget from donations, and the rest will be from grants, pre-sales, equity investments and UK tax credits.

We’ve already completed 25 days of filming and will continue filming through 2025 and early 2026 with several more trips to North Carolina. Editing begins in early 2026 and will run for about six months, with the edit finishing around August 2026 for submission to Sundance. If Sundance isn’t possible, we’ll target other top festivals like SXSW, Cannes, or Tribeca. Final post-production will take place in London in late 2026, delivering the film for a full global release in 2027.

We plan for FLYTRAP TOWN to be acquired by a major streamer such as Netflix, HBO, Disney+, or National Geographic, building on Robert Ford’s track record with films shown by these global streamers and distributors. Alongside streamer distribution, the film will premiere at top festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, and environmental festivals like Jackson Wild, followed by a limited theatrical release and an impact campaign with conservation partners and decision makers.