What exactly is an independent film? Called indie films, for short; these films were meant to be something obscure, creative, completely removed from the mainstream media, and also, large corporate labels. The film could be as random as a something a teenager made in his backyard with his parents video camera. It's what Dawson used to do on Dawson's Creek all the time. This film (specifically film by the way, NOT movie) could last three minutes or three hours. Independent means, simply, something different.
Well, in last decade, independent films are slowly melting into a mainstream flow as our culture has begun to crave that which is eccentric, eclectic, and unique. The predictable script has bored us to death, and thus, we have Napoleon Dynamite, the less than glamorous, anything but exciting, hero of today's indie film.
We owe this opportunity to finally understand what the movie elitists rave about to independent film festivals. They range around the globe, and language is no barrier when it comes to what films will play where (subtitles!). These are some of the largest festivals, that have given light to some of your favorite indie flicks.
Sundance Film Festival
Unlike the myth and legend states, this festival was not created and founded by Robert Redford. In fact, it was started in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1971 to attract tourists to the forlorn state. It basically was boring, to say it nicely, since it involved presentations and seminars. It was not phenomenally successful until Redford founded the Sundance Institute, a place designed to discover and "free" independent artists. In 1991, the whole thing was revamped, named the Sundance Film Festival (to attract Indie lovers, no doubt) and then moved to Park City, the only place beer is legal in Utah. Hmm. Either way, thank goodness, or else we might not have gotten films such as Waitress, Son of Rambow, or the Blair Witch Project.
Well, in last decade, independent films are slowly melting into a mainstream flow as our culture has begun to crave that which is eccentric, eclectic, and unique. The predictable script has bored us to death, and thus, we have Napoleon Dynamite, the less than glamorous, anything but exciting, hero of today's indie film.
We owe this opportunity to finally understand what the movie elitists rave about to independent film festivals. They range around the globe, and language is no barrier when it comes to what films will play where (subtitles!). These are some of the largest festivals, that have given light to some of your favorite indie flicks.
Sundance Film Festival
Unlike the myth and legend states, this festival was not created and founded by Robert Redford. In fact, it was started in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1971 to attract tourists to the forlorn state. It basically was boring, to say it nicely, since it involved presentations and seminars. It was not phenomenally successful until Redford founded the Sundance Institute, a place designed to discover and "free" independent artists. In 1991, the whole thing was revamped, named the Sundance Film Festival (to attract Indie lovers, no doubt) and then moved to Park City, the only place beer is legal in Utah. Hmm. Either way, thank goodness, or else we might not have gotten films such as Waitress, Son of Rambow, or the Blair Witch Project.
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