How much do I actually keep?

85% of every sale, backing, and tip — of the full amount the fan pays, itemized to the cent. Theater1 absorbs card processing (2.9% + 30¢) out of our share, so it never touches yours. Founding creators lock this rate for life and never pay the $19/month platform fee.

When and how do I get paid?

Through Stripe Connect, straight to your own bank account on a weekly payout cycle. You own the Stripe account; Theater1 never holds your money longer than it takes to settle.

Do my fans really own what they buy?

Yes — permanently. There's no rental clock and no license that expires. A fan who buys your film keeps it, can gift it once, and their name can sit in the credits.

Every title premieres once, at a set time, to a full room — countdown, live seats, and chat. It's the opposite of dumping a file into an endless feed. After the premiere the title stays on the slate.

Theater1 is invite-only during the founding phase. Apply through The Door — we're looking for finished work and filmmakers who'll show up for their audience, not prestige.

What does it cost me to be here?

Nothing to apply or upload. There's a $19/month platform fee once you're active — waived for life for Founding creators. Card processing is on us — it comes out of Theater1's share, never yours.

Invite-only. Own titles you love. Creators keep 85%.Invite-only home for finished work — not funded prestige. Own the titles you love. Creators keep 85%. more >

Made by storytellers. Backed by you.

For Creators

Your fans are in the credits,
and they know it.

That's why they show up. Finished work. No ads. You keep 85% — for life if you're founding.

Genres we accept →·Standards →·Read insights for filmmakers →·Maker Notes →

The door

Eight questions. About four minutes. Apply with finished work — a mid-length doc, a local series, a film shot on one camera — not a pitch deck. Prestige optional. Done is required.

About ten minutes. We review the work and the intent — not follower counts, not budgets. Read what Theater1 accepts →

1 · Name and where your work lives

Social handles

Must match a genre we're accepting. See genres.

2 · Three finished worksWhich one should we watch first?

3 · One decision you're proud of

4 · What would you premiere here?Does it exist yet?

5 · Is that work fully yours to sell?To your knowledge, do you own the rights — footage, music, appearances?

One early question, not the full rights gate. Unsure routes to a conversation after admission.

6 · The people who would miss you

7 · What are you making next?

8 · Whose work do you admire?

By applying you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Prestige optional. Done is required.

Applying also puts you on Maker Notes — craft, money, and how to ship next. Unsubscribe anytime.

What's your floor?

True fans who'd pay monthly150

Average monthly support$8

Your monthly floor, after our cut

$1,020

150 fans × $8 × 85%

The deal, in writing

You keep 85%. Untouchable.

Of every sale, every backing, every tip — 85% of what the fan pays, itemized to the cent. Theater1 absorbs card processing out of our share, so nothing ever dips into your 85%. Founding creators lock this rate for life — and the $19/month platform fee is waived for life.

Your fans are yours.

Names, emails, backing history. Bring your YouTube list or newsletter. Export anytime. Dispatch reaches them with prepaid credits — never a lock on the list.

Where your name is in the credits.

Fans who own and back your work appear in the roll. That belonging is why they show up for premieres.

No treadmill. Ever.

Drop when the work is done. Your catalog earns while you rest. No algorithm to feed.

Bring a fan once, earn forever.

Every fan you invite pays you 5% of whatever they spend on Theater1, for life.

Your peers can pay you.

Every quarter, creators allocate The Pool to work they respect — including mid-length and local titles.

Optional · per title

Want us to produce the release?

Theater1 Presents is the studio tier: on one title, we run the campaign — trailer, press, the machine — for a share of that title, on revenue, never a check. Your 85% stays on everything else, always. It should make you more, not less; we do the math with you first.

How Theater1 Presents works →

Creator questions

How much do I actually keep?: 85% of every sale, backing, and tip — of the full amount the fan pays, itemized to the cent. Theater1 absorbs card processing (2.9% + 30¢) out of our share, so it never touches yours. Founding creators lock this rate for life and never pay the $19/month platform fee.
When and how do I get paid?: Through Stripe Connect, straight to your own bank account on a weekly payout cycle. You own the Stripe account; Theater1 never holds your money longer than it takes to settle.
Do my fans really own what they buy?: Yes — permanently. There's no rental clock and no license that expires. A fan who buys your film keeps it, can gift it once, and their name can sit in the credits.
What is a premiere?: Every title premieres once, at a set time, to a full room — countdown, live seats, and chat. It's the opposite of dumping a file into an endless feed. After the premiere the title stays on the slate.
Who can join?: Theater1 is invite-only during the founding phase. Apply through The Door — we're looking for finished work and filmmakers who'll show up for their audience, not prestige.
What does it cost me to be here?: Nothing to apply or upload. There's a $19/month platform fee once you're active — waived for life for Founding creators. Card processing is on us — it comes out of Theater1's share, never yours.

Your fans are in the credits,and they know it.