Hollywood and the film industry have seen a lot of changes in the past few years. Audiences and filmmakers alike have grown tired of the typical Hollywood blockbuster movies, which offer little ingenuity or style. With a movie industry still flooded with monotonous “summer blockbuster” films that offer no real substance, audiences and critics are exploring more independent-style features. Indie films, such as Kevin Smith’s Clerks and the immensely popular Blair Witch Project, have thrust small, low-budget independent films into the Hollywood spotlight. Even major movies – such as last year’s Oscar-winner American Beauty – have begun adopting an independent feel.
But independent film may seem a mysterious genre shrouded in obscurity for the everyday moviegoer. Most movie theaters shy away from indie films out of fear that they will not turn a profit, and the low-budget films are not advertised as widely as major pictures. Also, while film festivals are abundant, only the major ones such as the Sundance Film Festival really put indie films into the public eye, theaters and awards ceremonies.
With other options closed, the internet proves to be the best resource for independent films to reach a wider audience. The Web is filled with sites that catalog independent features, upcoming events, news and everything about film that entertainment TV shows like Entertainment Tonight do not cover. These sites offer an easy and relatively quick way for viewers to check out independent films, and a great way for young and unknown filmmakers to get their movies into the spotlight.
The Independent Film Channel (www.ifctv.com)
The Independent Film Channel is the premiere destination for independent cinema, but it is a cable channel that requires a subscription and is hard to come by. The channel’s Web site provides all the information an independent film fan needs, including updates on events, programs and opportunities for young filmmakers.
Unlike other indie Web sites, users cannot download any movie clips from IFC’s site. Functioning primarily as a vehicle to promote the IFC cable channel, the Web site is riddled with advertisements under the guise of serious articles. So-called “news items” inform the viewer of upcoming TV events on IFC.
The IFC was established and is maintained by an advisory board of well-known Hollywood directors, such as Martin Scorcese and Spike Jones, and movie stars such as Tim Robbins. The Web site provides interviews, events, discussions and articles centered on film outside the Hollywood mainstream.
IFILM (www.ifilm.com)
IFILM is a California-based Web site launched in October 1998 to showcase independent films by young filmmakers. It also provides a place for fans and industry professionals to view indie movies. The site allows easy access to independent films of all genres, as well as news from both the underground and mainstream film communities. The site runs most films through several computer video players, such as Quicktime and Windows Media Player. IFILM provides a variety of quality independent films, both short and full length.
IFILM has a slicker image than ALWAYSi, but offers similar material. The site also includes Hollywood movie trailers, as well as mainstream movie news. Rather than catering solely to an underground audience, IFILM appeals to the all-around film buff.
ALWAYSi (www.alwaysi.com)
ALWAYSi is another quality independent film site that provides a large variety of viewable indie films – from comedies to experimental films. The site also offers movie trailers and information about filmmakers and independent cinema. ALWAYSi provides new films as well as classic underground films that are hard to find. And download times for movies from the Web site are surprisingly fast considering the clear picture quality.
Featuring a comprehensive newsletter to keep members updated, ALWAYSi spotlights a new genre almost weekly. With an easy-to-use search system and weekly staff picks from each category, viewers do not find themselves overwhelmed by too many choices, and can rely on a little guidance from the site’s creators.
AtomFilms (www.atomfilms.com)
AtomFilms offers a Web site fully dedicated to independent short films. The site contains several running “episodes” of shorts, such as the popular Angry Kid clay-animation shorts. The site also provides information on filmmakers, interactive features and games. Films download easily and have fairly good quality. Atom Films is perfect for moviegoers with a short attention span for independent films.
More sophomoric than ALWAYSi or IFILM, AtomFilms focuses on comic shorts rather than serious films. Gross-out humor rules the site’s library of animated shorts.
Studentfilms.com
Studentfilms.com provides an outlet for college students to get their films out into the public for viewing. The site provides a place to submit films, opportunities to praise and criticize films and forums and chats rooms to discuss the movies with other users. Downloads from Studentfilms.com require QuickTime, which provides superior quality for viewing streaming video on the Web and is free to download directly from the site.
While these Web sites are only a sampling of the independent film resources on the Web, they all provide easily downloadable videos and a place for filmmakers to submit their own work. They are recommended for film enthusiasts eager to break away from bland Hollywood creations.
