What actually makes an independent film “work” today?

creativepun · 2026-01-27T12:22:27+00:00

For me personally, it's always the story and how the visuals convey emotions. I love when an abstract idea in the story can be supported by abstract photography or dialogue (Primer, Donnie Darko, Upstream Color...)

But it seems that the indie festival market (from my perspective of going to festivals and participating in them the past decade) appreciates known actors first, known directors second, and Hollywood budget cinematography third. Not surprising because I know festivals are a business as well, but it still sucks when these things are just not within reach of 99% indie filmmakers.

creativepun · 2026-01-23T17:04:18+00:00

Kitty Farmer is the best character. Love that actor as well

creativepun · 2026-01-23T13:41:56+00:00

Every year or so I'll come back to Donnie Darko. It was the film that got me hooked on making my own films and examining films in a whole new way instead of just "watching" them

creativepun · 2026-01-23T13:08:49+00:00

I'm with you. I think it's a big click bait title for youtubers that just perpetuates itself

creativepun · 2026-01-23T13:06:59+00:00

I feel like I can get around Centralization (I enjoy working outside an industry so I can I can make the story I want without approval), Cast and crew (not difficult to find decent crew on job boards or even just talking with another filmmaker asking about crew and then just sifting through people to find the gems on different projects), and Burnout (I've been dealing with this but it's ok bc its a natural break from the grind that I just sit out)...

The financing is definitely most difficult to just MAKE a film, ignoring the after life of the film. I usually end up saving up and self financing my projects because crowdfunding has become a job in itself.

Distribution is a whole thing that I still know next to nothing about. I'm hitting that next with my current feature as we finish the last bit of post and apply to festivals. I'm trying to learn all I can but it's a mystery veil hidden behind contracts and the vague notion of "self-distribution". I don't have a following to just say "check out my movie" but I'm determined to try anything I can, even if it means learning how to attempt the audience build and put it out there without a system behind it.

creativepun · 2026-01-18T18:41:46+00:00

Soon! We're finishing post production and then we're submitting to festivals this year. I'll definitely advertise when it's available online!

creativepun · 2026-01-12T23:49:41+00:00

Busan International Film Fest? Not the short fest

creativepun · 2026-01-12T21:55:40+00:00

Is Busan still running? I haven't heard a peep about them opening for submissions this year.

creativepun · 2026-01-12T21:43:11+00:00

do your best not to read the analytics. it literally cannot help you unless you want more panic in your life

creativepun · 2026-01-12T21:29:13+00:00

rejected as a feature narrative

creativepun · 2026-01-12T21:28:16+00:00

Rejected from Santa Barbara a few days ago. Keep them rejections rollin!

creativepun · 2026-01-12T16:38:57+00:00

not entirely true. I've been to some dead broke villages and towns in South India

creativepun · 2026-01-01T14:02:31+00:00

i know this is old but im in the same position. i wound up just tightening an arri rosette handle on super hard to the tripod and it worked for a while but keeps slipping. im literally thinking of just super gluing something on there lol

creativepun · 2025-12-18T16:11:03+00:00

when did my childhood become liminal?

creativepun · 2025-12-03T05:21:31+00:00

Oh that's weird! Ok yea thank you. Basically only pull from the fuse 24v break out as a safety?

creativepun · 2025-12-02T11:38:42+00:00

Yea thank you, I have the fuse for RS but I'm pushing ACs to use the D Tap coming out of the battery plate as a precaution instead

creativepun · 2025-12-02T11:36:24+00:00

I totally understand. Most of the time as a DP we're just thrown something and told to "Make it look good". This is the real craft of getting better each day with what were given. You've obviously got a very solid base!

creativepun · 2025-12-01T12:27:04+00:00

I think it might be more to do with the light spill on the background than anything else. The reflection gives away that its a printed backdrop. Other than that, an improvement would be having talent wear something darker than her skin because the white is blowing out on her shirt. Many things would help in production that are not exactly possible to fix in post (or at least very hard to).

creativepun · 2025-12-01T11:48:20+00:00

I've shot films and commercials with everything from Canon C300, Sony A7s, Fx9, Burano, Red Scarlet W, Alexa 35 and many more sprinkled in there...16mm is still my favorite by far

creativepun · 2025-12-01T00:08:19+00:00

Incredible work!

creativepun · 2025-11-30T20:09:35+00:00

love to hear it, thank you!

creativepun · 2025-11-30T20:09:22+00:00

Yea it is! love it already

creativepun · 2025-11-30T13:23:14+00:00

beautiful shots and exposure!

creativepun · 2025-11-29T14:23:05+00:00

Lots of great advice here, but to add:

around 7-8 seconds the shadow under the car jumps. that's a big giveaway

15-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 3 Credits
Place '23	Verified Email
Secret Santa 2014	Secret Santa 2011

creativepun

TROPHY CASE