About Us

All of our films have leveraged unique, strategic paths to purchase and profitability, and we believe that your movie should be next.

Play Video
Ready to MAKE IT?
GET STARTED

Our Mission

Bonsai Creative was founded in 2014 in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee by founders Chris Barkley and Nicholas Buggs. As longtime creatives and storytellers, we recognize that the future of narrative film lives in the creative minds of independent filmmakers. At Bonsai Creative, we live by three main principles: Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged. As the big studios merge and double-down on tentpole movies while Hollywood stars monopolize the popular "independent" scene, there appear to be fewer opportunities for the true, low-budget independent. The result is a homogenized industry that seems to favor the privileged few. However, the world of media distribution continues to become more open and inclusive which provides a wealth of opportunities for the informed filmmaker. The problem is that most filmmakers tie themselves to an antiquated studio model that limits or prohibits these opportunities. That's where we come in. Since the founding of our company in 2014, we have invested in and provided film consulting for three feature films, a short film, and a comedy special. We have also provided coverage on numerous screenplays. Our consultation has covered topics including story, casting, shooting locations, film coverage, branding, marketing, merchandising, social and community engagement, and sales strategies. All of our films have leveraged unique, strategic paths to purchase and profitability, and we believe that your movie should be next.

Winner, Tennessee First Audience Award:
Best Feature Film

Winner, Tennessee First Audience Award:
Best Feature Film

Winner, Best Feature Film

Founders

Nicholas Buggs
Co-Founder | Film Consultant
Nicholas Buggs is an Executive Producer and Film Consultant specializing in independent films. As Co-Founder of Bonsai Creative Enterprises (Bonsai Creative), Nicholas has successfully leveraged a background in Management Consulting, Business Development, Project Management, and Process Engineering to develop strategic approaches to maximizing the potential in independent film projects. Considering himself a "catalyst for creatives", Nicholas works alongside business partner and best friend Christopher Barkley to help filmmakers and buyers eliminate the obstacles to bringing great stories to life.

Christopher Barkley

Co-Founder | Film Consultant
Chris Barkley was born in beautiful Nashville, Tennessee and fell in love with storytelling after seeing The Princess Bride (which he's enjoyed over fifty times) as a child. Taking a unique path to storytelling, Chris began as a songwriter, having penned over 200 songs. The need to emote, coupled with the discipline required to earn a Journalism degree (Middle Tennessee State University) lead Chris to co-found Bonsai Creative with his best friend, Nicholas Buggs to help independent creatives tell stories in a meaningful (and profitable) way. Since then, Chris has worked as Executive Producer, Film Consultant, Story Consultant, and Brand Strategist on multiple feature and short films.
"I was looking for someone to listen to my creative ideas, interact with it as if it was theirs. Bonsai Creative did that for me. Stories are important to Chris and Nick, even if the project isn't a good match. I can count on them to care. Bonsai invested in me and now my projects are award-nominated and winning films."
Kris Wente film
Kris Wente
Filmmaker