Passion or Profit? Deciding the Path for Your Micro-Budget Feature

This week I sit down with Romanian writer-director Alexandru Borchescu to talk about the risks and rewards of jumping straight into a feature film. Alexandru shares why he walked away from film school in his final year to create his debut project—proving that sometimes a passion project is the best film school of all in “Should your Micro Budget Feature be a Passion Project?”.

From Film School Exit to First Feature

Alexandru explains the turning point that led him to skip the traditional path and start shooting a feature right out of school. We discuss the early challenges of financing a micro-budget production, how he pieced together funding on his own, and the lessons he learned from running a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Navigating Money, Sales, and Festivals

Financing is only the first hurdle. Alexandru breaks down what it really costs to make a small independent feature, the realities of sales and distribution, and the film-festival strategies that helped him get his work noticed. His practical advice on budgeting and festival planning is a must-hear for any first-time filmmaker.

Directing with Intimacy and Cultural Perspective

Working with actors in close, personal scenes can be daunting, and Alexandru offers candid insights on creating a safe, collaborative set. We also explore how his Romanian background shapes his storytelling style and gives his projects a distinctive voice on the international indie circuit.

Should your Micro Budget Feature be a Passion Project?

Throughout the conversation, Alexandru shares the motto that keeps him motivated and the key lessons he wishes he’d known before stepping onto set. If you’re debating whether your first micro-budget feature should come from pure passion or a more calculated plan, this episode delivers inspiration and grounded advice in equal measure

Check out Alexandru’s filmmaking here

About Sex Before Church: A young man returns to his hometown after years abroad and is forced to confront the secrets, betrayals, and unspoken grief that have shaped his family. Shot with a restrained, naturalistic style and funded through a grassroots Kickstarter campaign, the film blends Romanian realism with an intimate character study—exploring how love, memory, and place can both wound and heal.

Want to know more about how to make feature films? Check out “How to Make Profitable Low-Budget Movies on Tubi in 2025 with Justin Milton.”
Justin shares hands-on advice about self-distribution, FilmHub, and earning real revenue from micro-budget features, perfect listening if you’re inspired by Alexandru’s DIY financing and want to understand the next steps for getting a film seen and sold.