Independent Film Financing Could Go Onchain As Polymath And CineCity Explore Tokenised Investments

Film financing is being tested as a new use case for tokenisation, as Polymath and CineCity Studios explore a platform that could allow investors to access film projects through regulated digital securities.

The companies announced the collaboration on 1 October 2026, combining Polymath’s digital securities infrastructure with CineCity’s production resources in Chicago.

Film Investment Could Become Easier To Access

Independent film financing can involve private agreements, a limited pool of backers and complex legal arrangements, making it difficult to connect productions with a wider group of investors.

The proposed platform would explore a different structure by creating tokenised interests in film investments under a regulated securities framework.

Polymath would provide the technology for issuing digital securities, bringing investors on board, handling compliance processes, maintaining investor records and managing the interests throughout their lifecycle.

CineCity would contribute its production network and facilities, creating a link between the investment infrastructure and the film projects that could receive financing.

Natalie Hirsch, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Polymath, said,

“The film industry is just one of many exciting examples of where tokenization can solve real-world capital formation problems. CineCity has the facilities, industry relationships, and production ecosystem, while Polymath brings the technology and capital markets infrastructure. Together, we have an opportunity to build a modern investment model around an asset class that historically has been inaccessible to many private investors.”

Why Film Is A More Complicated Asset To Tokenise

Tokenisation has already found a natural place in assets such as US Treasury products and money-market funds, where cash flows and legal structures are relatively standardised.

Film is different.

Investment returns can depend on production costs, distribution agreements, box office results, streaming rights and multiple contractual claims.

A digital token does not remove those underlying risks or automatically create a liquid market for the investment.

Instead, the potential benefit is in the administration of ownership and investment rights.

A regulated digital security could provide a structured way to record who owns an interest, who can purchase it, how transfers are handled and how distributions are managed.

The proposed strategy could cover different stages of film financing and a range of investment structures, although the final terms have yet to be determined.

CineCity Brings A 140,000-Square-Foot Production Base

CineCity Studios operates a 140,000-square-foot film and television facility in Chicago that has hosted productions connected to Disney, Fox, Netflix, Comcast, NBCUniversal and Tyler Perry Studios.

The campus also supports commercial projects for brands including BMW, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Xfinity and Foot Locker/Nike, alongside independent film and television productions.

The studio has expanded into virtual production, motion capture, multi-camera tracking, Unreal Engine and AI integration through its VP LED Studios facilities.

Stanley Wozniak, Managing Partner of CineCity Studios, said there is strong demand for both new investment opportunities and more efficient ways for filmmakers to finance productions.

Wozniak said,

“There’s a tremendous amount of capital looking for differentiated investment opportunities, while filmmakers are constantly looking for more efficient ways to finance and produce quality productions.”

He added that the studio’s virtual production capabilities could help bring investors, technology and film production into the same model.

Illinois Tax Credits Could Add To The Investment Case

The proposed platform would also operate against a backdrop of film incentives in Illinois.

CineCity said productions at its Chicago facility can qualify for Illinois’ expanded Film Production Tax Credit, which provides a 35% credit on eligible spending in the state.

The programme has been extended through 2038.

A separate federal proposal introduced in 2026, the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act, would provide a 20% credit on US labour costs if passed as described by the companies.

CineCity said a qualifying Chicago production could potentially combine the two incentives for a total of 55%.

However, the federal credit remains a proposal, meaning the potential combined benefit depends on the legislation being passed and the production meeting the relevant requirements.

Polymath Expands Tokenisation Beyond Traditional Assets

The project would give Polymath another potential use for its regulated digital securities infrastructure, extending its focus into film, entertainment and other alternative investments.

The company provides technology for issuing digital securities, managing compliance, onboarding investors and administering tokenised financial interests after issuance.

Polymath also announced on 18 August 2026 that it had agreed to be acquired by TruGolf Holdings, which trades on Nasdaq under the ticker TRUG.

The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.

For the CineCity collaboration, however, the key word remains “explore”.

The companies have not launched an investment product or opened the platform to investors.

Product design, regulatory requirements, investment structures and project selection still need to be worked out before the concept becomes an investable offering.

Polymath has also clarified that it is a technology provider and is not acting as a broker-dealer, funding portal, investment adviser or placement agent, nor is it offering or recommending any security.