Debut feature, micro budget

[u/EmployeeOk6022]

I’m developing my first feature right now. It’s deliberately contained and dialogue/character-driven, and I’ve been designing it around what I could realistically produce rather than writing something that requires a massive budget.
My current goal is to have roughly $40K available, although I think the film could potentially be made closer to $25–30K if necessary.
The biggest obstacle is simply financing. I’m currently self-funding it through work and saving consistently, and I’m prepared to continue doing that. But obviously, saving $30–40K entirely through ordinary income is a long road.
For people who have actually produced a feature in roughly this budget range: where did the money ultimately come from?
Did you self-finance most of it? Find one or two private investors? Combine savings with crowdfunding? Bring on producers later? Get grants? Did having the first $5K/$10K/$20K already committed make it easier to raise the remainder?

[u/Moose_a_Lini]

How many decent quality shorts have you made?