SUPPORT THE FILM
Help us finish the Story of City Lights
We have a rough cut. We have institutional backing. We need your help to cross the finish line — before City Lights’ 75th anniversary in 2028.
Book banning hit its highest level ever in 2022–23. The Howl trial is not ancient history — it’s the news. This film is needed now.
GIVING LEVELS
Join the film
Choose your level of support. Every gift, at every level, goes directly toward completing the film and getting it into the world by 2027.
The Pocket Poets
The Pocket Poets Series put avant-garde literature into the hands of anyone who could afford a paperback. Your gift keeps production moving forward.
- Name in film credits
- Production update emails
- Digital download at release
The Lighthouse
City Lights became a lighthouse for free expression worldwide. Your gift at this level funds a concrete piece of post-production.
- Name in film credits
- Invitation to SF Premiere
- Signed production materials
- Access to rough cut screening
Howl
A major gift that directly funds the completion of the film: archival licensing, original score, or final sound mix. We'll reach out personally.
- Executive Producer credit
- Private screening for guests
- World premiere invitation
- Personal call with director
Gifts by check, stock or donor-advised fund can be made through Filmmakers Collaborative.
or email
Give any amount
You'll choose your amount on the secure page of our fiscal sponsor, Filmmakers Collaborative SF.
Give Any AmountChecks can also be mailed directly to 145 Ninth Street, Suite 310, San Francisco, CA 94103, with “City Lights Documentary” noted in the memo line on your check.
Prefer Zelle?
Send us your name and contact info first, and we'll reply with the Zelle details (including a QR code if you'd like one).
Request Zelle Detailsor email
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law through our fiscal sponsor, Filmmakers Collaborative SF, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For questions, contact info@citylightsdocumentary.org.
YOUR GIFT IN CONTEXT
What the money does
We are in post-production. The rough cut is done. What remains is the work that transforms a rough cut into a finished film: archival licensing, original score, sound mix, color grading, festival submissions, and distribution outreach.
Every dollar is on screen. Every gift goes through our fiscal sponsor, Filmmakers Collaborative SF, and we’ve been careful stewards of everything we’ve received. That won’t change.
SOUND MIX & COLOR