#independent-films

#independent-films

Plenty of films go into Venice, Telluride, and Toronto with North American distribution already in place, particularly when you have the backing of a distributor like Netflix (which had four world premieres this fall) or Focus Features (which brought the house down with the likes of " Hamnet" and " Bugonia "). But with more than 300 features premiering at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, and a swath at Venice, Telluride, and now headed for New York, many venture in without distribution support.

Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema returns this September for Season #22, offering free public screenings of local independent films in parks, cafés, studios, galleries, and other cherished public spaces.

"The Clan's Heir is a Transwoman (2013) plays like a lo-fi passion project, but it's also a surprising, queer-centered take on the yakuza genre."

"The secret to his success? Instead of begging for development deals, he decided to chase something more practical: money. I found it way easier to find people with money than it is to get a company to say 'Yes,' Grashaw said."

I'm grateful to be here and this film has made me realize that I can turn pain into art.

The Cannes Film Festival has become a critical platform for films aspiring for the Oscars, notably with its history of films like Parasite winning significant accolades.