FilmHedge Sets First-Look Financing Pact with Apiary Animation and Design Firm

Film and TV financing company FilmHedge has set a first-look pact with the Apiary, a startup animation and game design firm based in Lakeland, Fla.

The deal calls for FilmHedge to provide up to $25 million in financing for projects produced by Apiary, which was founded last year by architect Brad Lunz. Apiary recently inked a deal with Oingo Boingo alum Richard Elfman to develop and write animated projects. Apiary, Elfman and “Rick and Morty” producer Starburns Industries are at work on the original sci-fi animated project “Echo in Space.”

More from Variety

• FilmHedge, Riveting Entertainment Group Reveal $25 Million First-Look Financing Partnership at Cannes Film Market (EXCLUSIVE)

• FilmHedge Closes $100 Million in Debt Financing to Lend for Movie, TV Production

FilmHedge was founded in 2020 as a vehicle to provide financing and credit services to independent producers. The company raised $100 million of its own financing in 2022 “to meet growing demand,” according to FilmHedge.

“We are thrilled to welcome The Apiary to FilmHedge’s expanding family of preferred production partners,” said Jon Gosier, FilmHedge’s founder and CEO, FilmHedge. “FilmHedge has committed $25 million in financing for the studio’s forthcoming productions. This assurance allows producers to focus on the creation of content without getting distracted by sourcing capital. We look forward to working with Brad and his team to bring fresh new content to fans, including with the geniuses behind celebrated series ‘Rick and Morty.’ “

Apiary was established last year as an extension of Lunz’s existing architectural design firm. The company aims to create its own content as well as providing creative services for “animation, conceptualization, hyper-realistic visualization, interactive game design and more,” according to Apiary.

“We are excited to align with FilmHedge on this opportunity,” said Lunz, who is founder and CEO of Apiary. “The team we have assembled, inclusive of Jon and his company, is now positioned to bring creative, unique stories to the forefront of entertainment.”

(Pictured: “Echo in Space”)

Best of Variety

• Oscars Predictions: Original Score – Daniel Pemberton's 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' is the Dark Horse for Statuette

• Oscars Predictions: Documentary Feature – This Year's Snubs and Surprises Points to the Overdue Rule Change Needed in Branch

• New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.