Indie Comedy D(e)ad Redefines DIY Filmmaking with Crowdfunding and Fan-Driven Distribution

Hollywood may be struggling, but the indie world is thriving thanks to projects like D(e)ad — a female-led independent comedy that proves artists and fans can bypass traditional gatekeepers. Written by and starring Isabella Roland (Game Changer) and directed by her mother, Claudia Lonow, the film showcases what happens when creators maintain creative control from start to finish.

With support from the Dropout Cinematic Universe, including Vic Michaelis and Brennan Lee Mulligan, the team raised over $250,000 on Kickstarter, far surpassing their initial $30,000 goal. This success allowed for a 15-day shoot and a full independent theatrical run, with screenings at more than 69 theaters across the U.S., Canada, and Europe beginning September 10.

The campaign was more than just fundraising — it was audience building. Producer Julianne Dowler explained that the team built a dedicated newsletter community, turning backers into promoters. Fans even drove at least 12 screenings by tagging local theaters on Instagram, showcasing a grassroots distribution model rarely seen in Hollywood.

For Roland, the journey has been about rejecting the negativity of industry executives. “Development people kill your dreams in front of you,” she said. “To get to a place where we are just making art and showing people who support it — it’s beyond a dream.”

Lonow echoed that the project’s female-centered storytelling found life outside the studio system, free from dismissive feedback. “When we were doing this, there was this feeling of watching Izzy build her following. I really think people want to see what she does.”

Dowler added that crowdfunding boosted confidence and production quality: “Pre-production was intense, but so worth it. We wrapped early most days. It was just a dream.”

The team sees D(e)ad as more than a film — it’s a statement about who decides what art gets made. Roland summarized it best: “There should be two groups deciding art: artists and the people who want to see it. Gatekeepers aren’t working. Our audience said, ‘We want this,’ and we could finally say, ‘You got it.’”

D(e)ad is now screening in select theaters.