Securing finances for a film is a challenge, even when you are producing a blockbuster.

But if you are an independent filmmaker, you could be languishing in development hell for a decade.

To overcome that problem, the makers of 2006's surprise hit Kenny, have turned the traditional model on its head.

Brothers' Nest was partially funded by independent cinemas, in what is believed to be an Australian first that helped cut the filmmaking process by more than a decade.

The dark comedy about two brothers planning a murder brings real-life siblings Shane and Clayton Jacobson back to the big screen.

And instead of cinemas being at the end of the process, they are now at the start.

Brothers Clayton and Shane Jacobson worked together on 2006 hit Kenny. ( Supplied )

"This model came about because I literally had a film fall over that I'd been working on for 11 years," Clayton Jacobson, who also directed the film, said.

The relationship between the filmmaker and Melbourne cinema owner Eddie Tamir got Brothers' Nest on the fast track, spawning the idea to have independent owners pre-pay their share of future box office returns before the film was shot.

"We developed a model that basically meant that regional cinemas could come on board, pay a small advance on the movie hire, and in return Shane and I and the production team would give them a very specific, massaged marketing campaign that allows them to have a lot more say in how the film gets shown to their audiences," Clayton Jacobson said.

Cinemas across Australia were quick to jump on board.

"We crunched some numbers, looked at it, looked at the creative team behind the film, which was obviously very appealing, and were excited to be investing in it at the early stage," Wallis Cinemas programming manager Sasha Close said.

Once the cinemas were on board, the Jacobsons could then seek more finance.

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The movie was shot for less than $2 million and Clayton Jacobson said he hoped it could be the start of a process that would allow him to shoot a film each year.

"Getting bums on seats has always been hard, and I don't think it's getting any easier," he said.

"It does require a sort of an Alby Mangel approach, you've got to go out there and do those extra yards."

With cinema backing across five states, the Jacobson brothers are about to embark on a series of national red-carpet premieres.

Brothers' Nest opens in cinemas across Australia on June 21.