Venetian Media Group Invested in Film Project One Shot
The funding deal allows ToneLock Films to maintain full creative control over the upcoming short film project.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Film — General
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Venetian Media Group and Double Woo have provided a financial investment to support the production of the film One Shot. The deal allows the production company, ToneLock Films, to retain 100% intellectual property and creative control.
Why it matters
The investment aims to test whether agency-backed funding can help creative teams bypass traditional industry red tape during pre-production. By removing these friction points, the agencies intend to accelerate project development cycles.
The film will be shot on 16mm film stock using a single continuous take for its technical execution. ToneLock Films maintains full ownership of the project while utilizing this capital to streamline pre-production.
The players
Venetian Media Group
This organization is a Sydney-based agency that provided funding to support the production of One Shot.
ToneLock Films
The production house is retaining full intellectual property and creative control for the new film.
Tony Gardiner
He is the director tasked with overseeing the production of the single-take film.
Claire Lovering
She is an actress cast in the upcoming short film project.
Alexander England
He is an actor featured in the cast of the production.
The details
Director Tony Gardiner leads the project, which features cast members Claire Lovering and Alexander England. The creative team will utilize a single-shot format, a technical challenge that will be captured entirely on 16mm film.
Timeline
Filming for One Shot commences in Los Angeles in November 2026.
A repeat funding push involving additional partners is planned for early 2027.
The film is currently scheduled for release in 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This deal underscores an ongoing shift in the entertainment industry where creators leverage boutique agency backing to retain total project ownership. By bypassing traditional studio funding structures, producers seek to maintain creative control in a landscape defined by competitive streaming wars and franchise saturation.
The production schedule indicates that viewers can expect the film to debut in 2027. Future expansion of this funding model could lead to more independent projects reaching theatrical or streaming platforms with unconventional technical formats.
The takeaway
This partnership demonstrates how creators can successfully navigate the funding process without sacrificing their intellectual property rights. Future projects may adopt this single-shot, agency-backed model to prioritize artistic vision over studio-driven production constraints.
Further reading
For more on the industry, visit the Film — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Campaign Brief.
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