Indie Film
Most films shown in theaters are made by big studios. They have huge budgets and
great marketing. Every year, thousands of independent movies are also made. Many 5
such "indie" films are of very high quality.
Indie films usually have small budgets and crews. Actors work for little or no pay.
Why do they do it? Indie films are seen as more artistic. The director closely controls
10 the film. And the story can take chances.
Cheap digital cameras and computers help keep costs down. These days, filmmakers
don't even need theaters. They can show their work on the Internet. Take the low
budget movie Born of Hope. Millions of people have watched it online.
Festivals like Cannes and Sundance are important to indie films. After these events,
some indie films get distribution deals. From time to time, they also win major
awards. In 2009, Slumdog Millionaire won the Oscar for best picture. Not bad for a
low budget film!
marketing - advertising and selling something
artistic - creative
director - a key person involved with a movie (He or she tells the actors what to
do.)
Cannes - a city in France (A big film festival is held there yearly.)
Sundance - an American film festival
distribution - the selling and shipping of a product from place to place
Oscar - the name of the statue given to Academy Award winners
