
Duncan Jones Crafts a Bold Indie Rogue Trooper
Duncan Jones' indie, R-rated animated Rogue Trooper premiered at Annecy, using Unreal Engine and performance-capture to deliver a hyper-kinetic, comic-book–flavored sci‑fi war epic on a tight budget.
All articles tagged with #independent film

Duncan Jones' indie, R-rated animated Rogue Trooper premiered at Annecy, using Unreal Engine and performance-capture to deliver a hyper-kinetic, comic-book–flavored sci‑fi war epic on a tight budget.

Jennifer Esposito says she has to move out of the home she mortgaged to fund her indie drama Fresh Kills, clarifying the house was sold to pay off the mortgage; she’s now crowd-funding her next project, Mary Rides the F Train, to keep pursuing independent cinema.

At the Sundance Film Festival, filmmakers gathered to honor Robert Redford’s lasting impact on independent cinema with a gala tribute, highlighting his role in founding the Sundance Institute and supporting independent filmmakers.

Park City hosts Sundance’s final edition before the festival relocates to Boulder next year, honoring Robert Redford after his passing with tributes, screenings of past festival highlights, and reunions, while introducing new voices and AI-focused themes as the industry confronts change and consolidation.

The Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive oral history gathers memories from dozens of filmmakers about Sundance’s evolution—from its scrappy, snowbound beginnings to becoming a global marketplace that launched careers (from Clerks and Reservoir Dogs to Boys Don’t Cry and Garden State) and delivered legendary world premieres. It reveals the highs and heartbreaks of festival life, the high-stakes bidding wars, and Sundance’s enduring influence on indie cinema, even as the festival moves from Park City to Boulder, Colorado.

Sundance opens its final Park City edition in a mood of transition, honoring founder Robert Redford as the festival prepares to relocate to Boulder next year, while curating a star-filled lineup of new features, restored classics and documentaries that underscore its enduring indie-film legacy.

In a candid THR interview, Ethan Hawke discusses his lead turn as the tormented Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon, a 1943 New York night-set drama from Richard Linklater, and how the role marks a deeper shift from leading roles to character work. He reflects on the film’s single-location setup during Oklahoma!’s opening night at Sardi’s, the ongoing Oscar campaign, and the broader state of independent cinema. Hawke also hints at a forthcoming Linklater project, while acknowledging funding hurdles and the importance of bold, smaller films alongside major projects.
Diane Lane stars in the under-the-radar dystopian thriller 'Anniversary,' which explores political radicalization and family unraveling over five years. Despite her strong performance and the film's timely themes, it struggled with visibility and marketing, highlighting challenges in independent film distribution. Lane, also an executive producer, emphasizes the importance of meaningful projects and the difficulties of gaining recognition in a crowded market.
The 2026 Spirit Awards nominations are led by 'Peter Hujar’s Day' with five nods, with several other films and TV series receiving multiple nominations across various categories, highlighting the diversity and creativity in independent cinema and television.

The 2025 Gotham Awards showcased a disconnect between its traditional indie roots and its evolving status as an awards season fixture, with big stars attending but small films and lesser-known winners dominating, highlighting an identity crisis within the event.
The Gotham Awards nominations are led by 'One Battle After Another' with six nods, while other notable films include 'If I Had Legs I’d Kick You' and 'It Was Just An Accident'. The awards celebrate independent cinema, expanding eligibility to include big-budget films from major studios, with winners to be announced on December 1.

Robert Redford, a legendary actor and director, significantly impacted Hollywood through his founding of the Sundance Institute, which transformed the Sundance Film Festival into a major platform for independent cinema and diverse storytelling, fostering countless careers and changing the industry landscape. His death marks the end of an era for the festival and independent film community.

A celebrity guessing game related to the Emmys features clues about an actress known for her indie film roles and comedic charm, with hints pointing towards her appearance in 'Best In Show' and her Emmy nomination.

Jim Jarmusch's 'Father Mother Sister Brother' is a minimalist, contemplative film consisting of three loosely connected episodes that explore family dynamics and emotional distance, set across different cities with notable actors, emphasizing subtlety and the unspoken in human relationships.

The documentary filmmaking community faces significant challenges due to federal funding cuts, including the rescinding of the CPB's budget, leading to budget reductions at PBS and other organizations. Despite these setbacks, filmmakers and media organizations are exploring alternative funding sources and digital platforms to continue producing and distributing documentaries, emphasizing resilience and innovation in the face of financial adversity.