The classic vehicle for raising funds from the public is what is known as a managed fund. This is a legal structure the same as a property trust.
It consists of a fund, a trustee and a manager. The fund is the “pot of money” contributed by the “unit holders”. The trustee is the unit holders’ representative and the entitiy which holds the fund and any assets purchased with the fund’s money.
The manager is the entity promoting the “scheme”, and managing the project in which the fund is investing.
This whole process is controled the Corporations Law and there are strict rules which must be followed.
It is a time consuming approach requiring a Financial Services Licence and a registered offer document (i.e. a prospectus) being registered with ASIC.
It is expensive as everything must be properly documented and checked by lawyers and accountants. While it is not a legal requirement, if you are going to have any chance of promoting a managed fund, then you will need a tax ruling from the ATO.
I have gone down this path and it was one battle after another. But if you can do it then you are able to promote your film project to the world at large, provided you adhere to the law.