Dear readers,
Last week (Wednesday 13 April) I reached out asking for help. The Film Magazine faced the real possibility of closure for the first time. Our zero-budget operation, which has grown to reach hundreds of thousands of readers, was in danger of joining the long list of independent film journalism outlets that have folded. Because of your generosity and support, that crisis has been averted.
Thank you.
It was difficult for me and the TFM team to ask for assistance; any proud small publisher can understand that reluctance. From the start we wanted to build The Film Magazine through hard work, discipline, and the skills of our diverse contributors rather than by relying on intrusive monetisation. We have never aimed to create an empire. Cinema is a beloved and universal art form, and it felt wrong to place our work behind paywalls or to fill our pages with invasive ads, pop-ups, paid-for advertorials, or affiliate links disguised as helpful content. Instead, we have chosen to be a free platform that shares knowledge and perspectives from writers around the world, especially voices that are too often underrepresented in mainstream media.
Your responses last week—whether you liked, shared or replied to that appeal—meant everything. You are the reason we continue to uphold high editorial standards in a market that often rewards the opposite. You are the reason I personally edit every article we publish and why we consistently strive for excellence. Working online can feel isolating, and it is sometimes hard to recognise the impact of your voice; your support answered our plea with a clear and uplifting message. It filled me with pride and deep humility. Thank you.
To everyone who donated via PayPal, please know your contributions directly sustain more than a thousand freely accessible pieces of writing: reviews, interviews, essays and guides that appear on university reading lists, school syllabuses and informational resources. Your donations keep those resources open and available to students, educators and film fans everywhere. Thank you for preserving that public value.
Going forward, The Film Magazine will continue to face obstacles that threaten our continued operation. Social media, once a level field for independent publishers, has become increasingly monetised and now disproportionately benefits those with larger budgets. Our secondary revenue stream from merchandising has been squeezed by rising platform fees and increasing production costs, making it harder for small publishers to survive. Although our platform has grown dramatically—up 300% in two years and now among the most visited truly independent film publications in the UK—that growth has come with intensified challenges that put our future at risk.
Everything you read on The Film Magazine remains free. If you would like to support us with a one-off gift or an ongoing contribution, you are welcome to do so via our donation options displayed on the site. These donation links are visible on the right-hand side of pages when using a desktop, and in the menu at the bottom of any article or page, should you wish to help later when you are able.
We still believe the simplest and most powerful way to support free online journalism is by engaging with it: share, comment, like and interact. Actions that take a few seconds from you can dramatically improve the reach of a piece, encourage a writer, and help grow a publication you value. Your engagement means more visibility, more opportunities for writers, and a stronger independent media ecosystem.
Independent online journalism is under immense pressure; many small publications have already disappeared. We are not gone because of you. Your support preserves a space that champions thoughtful film criticism, cultural essays, interviews and news written with care and integrity. We remain committed to providing high-quality coverage of cinema and film culture, to amplifying diverse voices, and to keeping our content accessible to everyone.
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Joseph Wade
Founder | Editor
The Film Magazine