Photographer and filmmaker Julie Pacino’s use of NFTs is an example of how filmmaking and web3 have overlapped since the rise in popularity of digital collectibles.

Thanks to the grassroots success of two of her NFT collections — "I Live Here Now” and “Keepers of the Inn” — Pacino secured funding to produce and distribute a movie. The film’s development has sparked a conversation about how movies get made and the role web3 can play in the process.

While moviemaking runs in her family (her father is Oscar-award-winning actor Al Pacino), Pacino is paving her own path and bringing other filmmakers with her too. Her films are often inspired by the works of cinematic legends, having grown up watching her dad's film industry career. She draws from films inspired by directors like Gaspar Noé and Darren Aronofsky, whose works such as "Enter the Void” and “Requiem for a Dream” have significantly influenced her approach to filmmaking and storytelling.

Yet, her own unique cinematic language sets her apart in the film industry. She brings a unique sensibility to her work, an individuality and personal touch across every project.

Here's what to know about filmmaker Julie Pacino.

From short film directing to feature film ambitions

Julie Pacino’s journey in filmmaking has been nothing short of impressive, marked by a steady progression from short film directing to ambitious feature film projects. Starting at a very young age, Julie immersed herself in the world of cinema, gaining invaluable experience on film sets and honing her craft.

As an award-winning filmmaker, Julie carved out a niche for herself in the industry prior to the rise of NFTs. Her short films have garnered critical acclaim, with her 2020 work, “Nowhere to Go,” winning Best Short Film Directing at the Toronto Film Channel.

Julie’s passion for filmmaking is evident in her unique cinematic language, which has been shaped by her exposure to a diverse range of film genres and directors. Her films are often inspired by the works of cinematic legends like Stanley Kubrick, Ari Aster, Gaspar Noé, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese. This eclectic mix of influences has enabled her to develop a distinctive style that sets her apart from other filmmakers.

As an independent filmmaker, Julie has had the freedom to experiment with various genres and themes, including horror movies. Her first film project, a horror movie she made at the age of 9, showcased her early interest in the genre and her willingness to push creative boundaries. Since then, she has continued to explore different themes and genres, always striving to innovate and challenge conventional storytelling.

Julie’s approach to filmmaking is also shaped by her belief in the value of film school. While she has acknowledged that film schools can provide a solid foundation in the technical aspects of filmmaking, she also believes that hands-on experience is invaluable. She recommends film schools for those looking to learn the basics and gain access to equipment and like-minded individuals, but she emphasizes that making a film teaches more than any classroom can.

Her first film project NFT collection came about unexpectedly

Before becoming an NFT artist, Pacino was already heavily involved in the art world. She is a photographer and filmmaker whose short films have premiered at celebrated venues like the Montreal Independent Film Festival and Venice Film Awards. 

It’s no surprise then that she brought cameras with her on a girls' trip to the Madonna Inn, a California hotel a few hours out of Los Angeles, and felt so inspired by her surroundings that a photoshoot ensued. The pictures she took over that trip later became her first NFT collection, "I Live Here Now."

“‘I Live Here Now’ is the exploration of developing a character through stills to inspire a feature film,” explains the project’s description. 

Pacino adds that it was a combination of “the beauty and emotion evoked by the Inn’s essence” and wanting to understand better “the story in which these characters existed” that ultimately inspired her to stage a photo shoot with the hopes that the pictures would help fill in the story’s blank spaces.

The collection was shot on two film cameras, one that shot 35mm and 120 film. The difference between film stock comes down to the size of the film, which affects the detail of the image. 

'I Live Here Now' set forth a unique use case for NFTs and films 

Pacino’s first collection sold out in 30 minutes upon release and includes 100 1-of-1 NFTs pulled from the pictures from that vacation to the Madonna Inn. The collection didn’t just inspire arbitrary characters and their stories, though. They laid the foundation for the premise of a psychological thriller feature film. The NFT collection is now the first to inspire the storyline for a feature-length film, which will be Pacino’s directorial debut.

After the success of her first collection, Pacino released a subsequent collection to finance the film partially. Julie Pacino has often reflected on her own experience in film school and would recommend film schools for the valuable skills and knowledge they provide. “Keepers of the Inn” is a 3,356-item NFT collection and includes behind-the-scenes pictures of a rehearsal of “I Live Here Now.” Among the NFTs’ utilities is the ability to contribute and offer feedback on the film’s creative process, including 1:1 conversations with Pacino.

Following her rapid boundary-pushing impact on the film industry’s embrace of web3 technology, TIME’s NFT project, TIMEPieces, invited Pacino to join their NFT collection, “Build a Better Future: Genesis Drop.” Pacino’s contribution to the collection is an image of two women holding each other, backlit by neon spotlights, depicting how “an artist cares for her muse.”

An independent filmmaker, Pacino will release her movie as an NFT

Pacino’s feature film’s unique financing path isn’t the only way that web3 will be interwoven in the film’s development. After bringing on film distribution company Utopia to produce and distribute the movie, Pacino signed a deal with Moonpay in 2023 to release the film as an NFT. 

To Deadline, Pacino explained: 

“I’m incredibly inspired by the convergence of film, photography, and NFTs and how it will provide access to capital and community for independent filmmakers. The NFT space has changed my life by connecting me with an incredible community and enabling me to grow my body of work. I want this project to help pave the way for democratizing film financing and opening more doors for queer and female filmmakers to create and share their art.” 

Pacino is still writing her story as a filmmaker and NFT artist, but it will include some notable chapters this year. Her first feature film wrapped production in February 2024 and is expected to debut in the near future. 

But even before its release, it’s hard to dispute how it’s already successfully pushed the boundaries of web3 and filmmaking.