Collective Development

What Collective Development does

Collective Development Inc. (CDI) is a private, independent film production company headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, founded in 1996 by DJ Perry, Jeff and Juanita Kennedy, and Dean Teaster. The company produces feature films across multiple genres with a thematic emphasis on biblical, faith-based, and family-friendly storytelling, alongside selective forays into horror comedy (Rom Coms Must Die), Western (Wild Faith), war drama (Silent Night in Algona, Harsens Island Revenge), and dramedy (Best Years Gone). CDI has delivered more than 20 completed films, anchored by its flagship franchise The Quest Trilogy (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star, The Christ Slayer). The company also operates a smaller Commercial Division producing branded content, corporate videos, and music videos for clients including Harman Kardon/JBL, Hawaiian Tropic, Revell Books, and the Nonferrous Founders Society.

The company's production capability rests on a small, stable core team of founders and senior producers — DJ Perry (CEO), Dean Teaster (COO), and senior producers Anthony Hornus, Melissa Anschutz, and Shane Hagedorn — who collectively have decades of collaborative experience and frequently serve as writers, directors, and actors. CDI's team is supplemented by directors-for-hire and contractors on a project basis. Distribution is handled through two channel partners: Bridgestone Multimedia Group (worldwide rights for The Quest Trilogy) and Twin Engines Global (theatrical booking and home video for newer releases). Operational alignment with Twin Engines is reinforced by CDI Senior Producer Melissa Anschutz serving as Twin Engines' CMO and graphic lead David Gries supporting Twin Engines marketing.

CDI's revenue model combines streaming licensing across major platforms (Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Tubi, Fandango at Home), physical media sales (DVD/Blu-ray), limited theatrical release via Twin Engines Global, and commercial content production fees. Marketing relies on faith-based media channels including podcast and radio appearances (Faith on Film, Eric Metaxas, The 700 Club), film festival circuits, earned media via PRLog press releases, and YouTube/IMDb content. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; distribution and licensing fees are negotiated on a project-by-project basis. CDI is privately held with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or parent company ownership, and is supported by a diverse sponsor roster ranging from platinum sponsor Garmax Group to local silver and bronze sponsors.

Name

Collective Development

Legal name

Collective Development Inc.

Website

https://cdiproductions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Collective Development Inc. is a Lansing, Michigan–based independent film production company founded in 1996 that produces faith-based and family-friendly feature films across multiple genres. It has delivered 20+ films including Forty Nights and Silent Night in Algona, distributed globally on Amazon, Apple TV, Tubi, and via Bridgestone Multimedia Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Streaming licensing and distribution: Licensing of film library to major streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Tubi (AVOD), Fandango at Home for worldwide distribution of titles like The Quest Trilogy distributed by Bridgestone Multimedia Group.
2. Physical media sales: DVD and Blu-ray sales through Amazon and other retailers for films including Harsens Island Revenge and Silent Night in Algona.
3. Theatrical distribution: Theatrical release revenue through theater booking arrangements with Twin Engines Global handling distribution, with films like Rom Coms Must Die booking select theaters in spring.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Collective Development Inc. (CDI) is an independent motion picture company that produces feature films across multiple genres — primarily biblical adventures, faith-based family dramas, Westerns, war dramas, dramedies, and horror comedies — and distributes them through major streaming platforms, theatrical booking, and physical media. The company also operates a Commercial Division that produces cinematic branded content, music videos, and corporate video for clients such as Harman Kardon/JBL, Hawaiian Tropic, Revell Books, and the Nonferrous Founders Society.

Product overview

Collective Development Inc. (CDI) is an independent motion picture company celebrating 30 years of filmmaking. The core offering consists of feature films across multiple genres, primarily biblical adventures (The Quest Trilogy: Forty Nights, Chasing the Star, The Christ Slayer), dramatic films (Wild Faith, Lost Heart, Silent Night in Algona, Harsens Island Revenge, Best Years Gone), and horror comedy (Rom Coms Must Die). The company also operates a Commercial Division that produces cinematic content for brands and organizations. Films are distributed through partnerships with Bridgestone Multimedia Group and Twin Engines Global, and made available via streaming platforms including Amazon, Apple TV, Tubi, and Fandango at Home.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Capitol City Film Festival People's Choice Awards - Best Screenplay of the Year, Best Actor (DJ Perry), Filmmaker(s) of the Year (DJ Perry and CDI) for MBF
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McGraw MultimediacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 April 2026Co-production partnership for 'Rom Coms Must Die,' an upcoming horror comedy film that parodies romantic comedy conventions. McGraw Multimedia co-produced with CDI and Adam C. Towner marks his debut co-starring role.
• Katharsys PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Multi-film development deal announced March 20, 2026 in Lansing, Michigan to produce three original feature films under director Lynn Drzick: 'Springheel Jack' (reimagining of Jack the Ripper mythology), 'Palefire' (science fiction comedy), and 'In the Woods 2' (sequel to the 1990s creature-feature). CDI serves as the production company for all three projects.
• Bridgestone Multimedia GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide distribution partner for The Quest Trilogy biblical film series including Forty Nights, Chasing the Star, and The Christ Slayer.
• Twin Engines GlobalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner managing CDI film library marketing and distribution. Melissa Anschutz serves as CMO of Twin Engines Global. Handles theatrical booking and home video/streaming release for films including Rom Coms Must Die.
• Nonferrous Founders Society (NFFS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization partner for commercial content production through CDI's Commercial Division.
• Revell BooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublisher client for promotional video production of the '100 Ways To Love Your Husband/Wife' book series by Authors Matt and Lisa Jacobson.
• Harman Kardon/JBLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommercial client for Auto Show Headquarters video production showcasing innovation and premium sound through dynamic visuals and immersive storytelling.
• Hawaiian TropicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner for bold, lifestyle-driven branded content campaigns through CDI's Commercial Division.
• Revel / Baker BooksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization partner for commercial content production through CDI's Commercial Division.
• TIGI ProfessionalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum/Gold level sponsor with educational focus, featured on CDI sponsors page.
• Protege AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold level sponsor and educational partner, featured on CDI sponsors page.
• Garma Max GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum level sponsor featured on CDI sponsors page.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kendrick Brothers (Sherwood Pictures): Small independent studio behind the faith-based Fireproof, Courageous, and War Room franchises — directly parallels CDI's model of recurring, Christian-themed independent features produced by a tight core team.
• Believe Pictures: Independent Christian film production company producing faith-based feature films for streaming and limited theatrical release — closely mirrors CDI's small-team, multi-genre faith-friendly approach.
• EchoLight Studios: Faith-based independent film producer focused on inspirational, family-friendly theatrical releases — directly comparable niche positioning to CDI's biblical and family-oriented catalog.
• Pure Flix: Faith-based independent film production and distribution company producing family-friendly, inspirational content — closely aligned with CDI's biblical/family-focused slate and streaming distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Sony AFFIRM Films: Sony's faith-based film label producing inspirational theatrical features (e.g., Heaven Is for Real, Miracles from Heaven). Comparable genre focus but operates within a major studio's distribution ecosystem.
• Angel Studios: Faith-friendly independent distributor expanding into theatrical/streaming releases of family content (e.g., Sound of Freedom, The Chosen). Operates in the same family/faith segment as CDI but with significantly larger capital and theatrical infrastructure.
• Lionsgate: Major independent studio with faith-friendly titles (e.g., The Shack, I Can Only Imagine) competing for similar streaming platform slots and family-audience attention as CDI's slate.

Others

• Bridgestone Multimedia Group: Distribution partner and adjacent Christian media publisher/distributor handling CDI's Quest Trilogy worldwide. Functionally an enabler/peer in the faith-content ecosystem with overlapping production and distribution activities.
• UP Entertainment (UP TV): Faith-based linear/streaming network that programs uplifting, family-friendly film content — comparable to CDI as both potential buyer of CDI content and as a competing producer in the same audience segment.

Emerging players

• Kingdom Story Company: Faith-focused production company co-founded by Angel Studios leadership, developing theatrical Christian content — competes for the same limited faith-film production talent and platform real estate as CDI.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeBxnQ-6CpDdzCXpQKfuWVQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/WildFaithMovie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/collective-development-corp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Collective Development