How do you balance filmmaking with networking, fundraising, and promoting your films?

Tiana Rae: I stay organized by using a physical calendar to map out priorities and adjust plans as ideas evolve, alongside three digital calendars dedicated to my personal life, modeling and acting pursuits, and filmmaking responsibilities. Having separate calendars helps me manage competing priorities without losing sight of deadlines. I’m also building a solid team at Tiana Rae Cinema, and learning to delegate responsibilities has been invaluable in freeing up time to focus on creative development, fundraising, networking, and promotion. I’ve learned that balancing it all requires flexibility, intentional planning, and recognizing that I don’t have to do everything myself to keep a project moving forward.

Do you use cross-media storytelling, such as podcasts or YouTube, for promoting your films?

Tiana Rae: Absolutely! As an independent filmmaker, I’ve learned that promoting a film requires creativity beyond the screen. With fewer people relying on traditional cable television, I believe social media marketing is essential to reaching audiences where they already spend their time. I use platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram to share teasers, cast photos, behind-the-scenes content, and updates that allow people to connect with my projects before they even watch them. I also pursue interviews and press opportunities to share my journey and introduce audiences to the people and stories behind my films. As I grow Tiana Rae Cinema, I’m also considering streaming service advertisements as another way to reach viewers. I want people to feel invested in my projects, not just as films they watch, but as stories they’ve been part of discovering.

What's your personal experience with film festival applications?

Tiana Rae: Navigating film festival applications has been an important learning experience in my filmmaking journey. With 'The Space Between Us', I submitted to multiple festivals, which taught me the importance of researching each festival’s audience, programming, submission requirements, and overall fit for a project. While the film was selected for one festival, I learned that rejection is part of the process and that every submission offers an opportunity to refine my strategy. I’ve also had to be intentional about submission fees and weigh each festival’s potential value against my budget. Ultimately, this experience has helped me become more strategic about where I showcase my work and how I use festival opportunities to build visibility for my films beyond the screening room.

How do you make sure that viewers find your movie in a relentless sea of other releases?

Tiana Rae: I want people to feel like they’ve stepped into the world of my films long before the opening scene begins. With 'The Space Between Us' , I’ve used character posters, cast photography, teasers, and social media content to give audiences a glimpse into the story and the talent behind it. I enjoy finding creative ways to keep people interested, whether that means sharing new visuals, introducing cast members, or talking about the inspiration behind a project. I also pursue interviews, film festivals, and other opportunities to expand my reach beyond my existing audience. As I continue building Tiana Rae Cinema, I’m learning that marketing is not just about getting people to watch a film; it’s about building genuine interest in the stories I tell and giving audiences a reason to follow what I create next.

What movie or production company do you think did a good job marketing and why?

Tiana Rae: One filmmaker whose marketing approach I admire is Ryan Coogler, particularly with projects like 'Black Panther' and 'Sinners'. I appreciate how his films build anticipation through compelling storytelling, strong visual identities, and cultural conversations that extend beyond the screen. The marketing surrounding 'Black Panther' created excitement around its world, characters, and representation, while 'Sinners' demonstrated how mystery and carefully selected promotional materials can make audiences curious to experience a film for themselves. I admire how Coogler creates projects that feel distinctive while giving audiences something meaningful to connect with. As I continue building Tiana Rae Cinema, my goal is to develop targeted marketing campaigns for each project that combine striking visuals, cast-driven content, strategic press coverage, and digital advertising to grow audience awareness, drive viewership, and build a loyal following for future releases.

If you could work with any team from actors to production and distribution, who would it be?

Tiana Rae: I would love the opportunity to work with Ryan Coogler, Issa Rae, or Shonda Rhimes. Each has built a distinctive creative brand and demonstrated the ability to tell stories that resonate with audiences while creating opportunities for diverse voices. I admire Ryan Coogler’s cinematic vision, Issa Rae’s entrepreneurial approach to developing original stories and talent, and Shonda Rhimes’ ability to create compelling characters and expansive story worlds that keep audiences invested. Collaborating with any of them would be an opportunity to learn, exchange creative perspectives, and contribute to projects with meaningful cultural and commercial impact. Ultimately, I want to build those kinds of collaborative relationships through Tiana Rae Cinema while continuing to develop original stories and grow as a filmmaker and producer.

Thank you!

#PRontheGO