The Importance of Independent Cinema and Short Films on Film Culture | Probe Analysis

Why is Independent Cinema important?

Independent films offer creative freedom for emerging filmmakers and storytellers to showcase their talents and voices. Indie cinema is a chance to tell overlooked stories and prioritise originality, creativity and fresh new ideas. Indie films are the backbone of cinema, telling experimental stories that resonate and make an impact.

Similarly to indie films, short films are another form for creative, original and fresh storytellers to showcase their voices in a bite sized piece of cinema. Short films are a chance to show the world what you can do, like indie features but with less resources, smaller budgets and even more freedom.

What is CIFF?

The Cine International Film Festival is a brand new London based film festival which celebrates independent filmmakers. Is it London’s new cultural hub for bold, visionary cinema.  A festival by filmmakers, for filmmakers and cinephiles alike. Celebrating storytelling beyond borders, CIFF sparks creativity, collaboration, and marks a new era for independent film festivals. 

CIFF is a fresh new film festival with a mission to support emerging talent, I had the privilege of attending CIFF’s first year in Soho and wanted to detail the importance of independent cinema and festivals like CIFF. 

Why should I support Indie cinema? 

If you love cinema, if you are bored of the endless blockbusters and boring re-telling of classic stories, independent cinema is the future of the industry. Although it may not seem that way right now, indie filmmakers have never stopped creating, artists never stop and indie cinema is constantly flooded with new stories and characters to explore. You should support indie cinema because it is the lifeblood of the industry, it is the foundation of cinema and without it we would be stuck with the mundane, boring storytelling we see from major, mainstream corporations. 

Supporting independent cinema in any capacity is supporting the underbelly of cinema. Showing your love for new filmmakers and their creations brings attention to emerging talent and draws storytellings from all over the world to share their experiences and their unique voice. 

Can I make a short film? 

The simple answer is, yes. Of course you can. Anyone and everyone can make a short film, pick up a camera and start creating. Everyone has a story to tell and usually, people will want to watch. Festivals like CIFF give a platform to short filmmakers, to emerging filmmakers and talent. If you have a story to tell, tell it. If you have something to say, say it through cinema. Art is one of the most freeing and devising things you can create, creating art is beautiful and powerful - you can impact people, you can thrill them, shock them, bring them to tears, make them laugh. If you have a story, tell it! 

Are short films considered independent cinema? 

Yes, although independent cinema has a large scope from Sean Baker Oscar winning features to zero budget passion projects. I believe short films are considered a part of independent cinema. Indie films and short films go hand in hand, often short films have been adapted into independent features. Usually, independent filmmakers started making short films, whether that’s in school or outside of education - short films are usually the beginning of independent filmmaking. 

Why does Independent cinema need ‘saving’? 

At CIFF, the directors of the festival kept saying we need to ‘save’ indie cinema. When filmmakers, creatives and artists say we need to save independent cinema they mean due to the current societal and political climate we find ourselves in. 

The film and television industry is dominated by big-budget blockbusters, superhero movies, remakes and sequels. The industry is thirsty for more originally, I am not saying the industry is void of originality but in recent years the new storytellers find themselves pushed out by larger IPs and names. 

Indie cinema needs saving because it plays a crucial role in fostering creative diversity and providing a platform for unique voices and perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream cinema. With the popularisation of streaming platforms and easy access to new features, cinema is becoming over saturated for audiences. Scrolling through endless possibilities only to click on the same film you’ve watched a hundred times, indie cinema gives a new life to cinema. Indie films give you a chance to watch something unexpected, something fresh, something new. 

Without support, indie cinema risks being squeezed out by the dominance of big-budget blockbusters and streaming services. Saving independent cinema just means, watch the films, enjoy the films and spread the word. 

Where can I watch indie films and short films? 

Independent films can be found on most streaming platforms. Although it is not associated with independent cinema, you can find a few gems on Netflix. Here are some to check out, I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020), To the Bone (2017), His Three Daughters (2023), First Match (2018) and Paddleton (2019). 

Similar to Netflix, Disney + is not considered the hub of independent cinema but you can find a few interesting watches on the platform if you scroll past the Marvel movies. Here are a couple to watch next, Summer of Soul (2021), Fire of Love (2022) and The Straight Story (1999). 

One of the best platforms for independent cinema and particularly short films is MUBI. MUBI is an incredible platform that holds a sea of unconventional stories, underrepresented voices and hidden gems. I could write a very long article just on indie films on MUBI but here are a few of my favourites. The Florida Project (2017), Tendaberry (2024), Medicine for Melancholy (2008), Mysterious Skin (2004) and Saint Frances (2019). 

Also, here are a few shorts on MUBI to check out: Lemon Tree (2024), Reality + (2014), Asparagus (1979), The Factory (2011), Dream Work (2001), Ungentle (2022), Incoherence (1994) and Atlantics (2009).  

Thank you for reading...

Go watch some indie cinema!