What is considered an indie film?

A project is considered an indie film when there is no major movie studio or production company financially backing it. Though the terms are not synonymous, an indie film is often a low-budget film on account that it lacks the monetary support of the studios or major production companies.

Is indie a film genre?

No. Film genres are categories such as horror, rom-com, or sci-fi where audiences can expect certain tropes associated with those types of movies. However, because indie films are often made with smaller budgets, they too can share certain attributes such as a small cast, single locale, or other characteristics that frequently define a film with a low budget.

What makes an indie film unique?

What often sets indie films apart from more mainstream projects is the intimate nature of them. Because of their smaller budgets, indie films usually focus more intensely on the storytelling aspect of their projects rather than visual effects, A-list celebrities, or other elements that both indicate higher budgets and can detract from the story being told.

What Is An Indie Film? Breaking Down This Staple of Cinema

Author: Anna Keizer

Date: January 29, 2023

Anna Keizer is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter and filmmaker. She has been writing for film and television for 15 years. She holds a B.A. in Film/Video from Columbia College Chicago and an M.A. in Film Studies from Chapman University. She has been an Academy Nicholl Fellowships Quarterfinalist and an Austin Film Festival Script Competition Second Rounder.
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What Is An Indie Film? Breaking Down This Staple of Cinema