Independent movie facts for kids

An independent movie, often called an indie film, is a movie made by a smaller company, not one of the really big Hollywood studios. These films are usually made with less money than huge blockbuster movies. Sometimes, people also call them "art films" because they might focus more on feelings or ideas than a super complicated story.

Indie films are becoming more and more popular! This is partly because the tools needed to make movies, like cameras and editing software, are getting much cheaper and easier to use. This means more people can create their own films without needing a massive budget.

Some well-known movies that started as indie films include Reservoir Dogs, American History X, The Basketball Diaries, and the documentary Bowling for Columbine. These movies are called independent because they were made with smaller budgets and by studios that aren't the giant ones you usually hear about.

What is an Indie Film?

An indie film is a movie that is made outside of the traditional, large movie studio system. Think of it like a small, local band compared to a huge pop star signed to a major record label. These films are often made by independent filmmakers who have their own unique vision.

Why are they "Independent"?

The word "independent" means they are not controlled by the big, powerful film companies that make most of the movies you see in cinemas. These large studios have huge budgets and often focus on making movies that will appeal to the widest audience possible. Indie films, on the other hand, have more freedom. They can tell different kinds of stories and explore topics that might not be chosen by bigger studios.

How Indie Films are Made

Making an indie film often means being very creative with a smaller budget. Filmmakers might use less expensive equipment, work with smaller crews, and film in real locations instead of building fancy sets. The rise of new technology, like affordable digital cameras and easy-to-use editing-software, has made it much simpler for people to produce their own movies. This has opened the door for many new voices in filmmaking.

The Impact of Indie Films

Even though they have smaller budgets, indie films can have a big impact. Many famous directors and actors started their careers in independent cinema. These films often win awards at film festivals and can become very popular, proving that you don't need a massive budget to make a great movie. They add a lot of variety to the world of film, offering different stories and styles that you might not find in mainstream movies.

Images for kids

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  Filmmakers Stéphane Brizé (second from the right) and Rodrigo Moreno (second from the left) at a screening of The Measure of a Man in Buenos Aires in 2019.

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  Wes Anderson, a widely renowned indie film auteur.