That's a good place to draw the line I think - at this point in time, in the US. - $0 - $100,000 budget TOTAL for both production & distribution (that $100K is for production & the first 6 months - 1 year of distribution related expenses, after that, less than $100K a year in distribution & related expenses could work as a good dividing line for what's indie and what's not) (self-distribution by the filmmaker is ALWAYS more indie than selling the distribution rights and work to another entity) - not made/produced by a Hollywood studio, or a TV network, or cable, etc (but let's say a large company - from entertainment world or otherwise - could have a 40% or less interest in the project - that much invested in the project $s wise, but all final production & distribution decisions resting w/ the filmmaker/director - as long as the above two criteria are met, the films could star known actors (if they wish to work at the above mentioned budget level...
Blog by NYC indie filmmaker Sujewa Ekanayake. Since 2006 or so. Latest epic indie film project - making and releasing 53 scripted fiction features in 53 months - starting Jan - March 2025! - the 53 Spaceships film series project. This blog will have indie film news plus items about sci-fi films, TV shows, and of course info on the 53 Spaceships new movie and series of films!