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As the definition of an independent film has shifted with the ever-expanding budget divide in American filmmaking — particularly Hollywood cutting back on its mid-range projects — when it comes time for awards season, it’s often only the highest profile of “indie films” that get recognized. While we do our best to recognize the films that often get unfortunately, a new awards has launched that honors the best of truly independent American cinema, featuring films all under a $1 million budget.

Aptly titled the American Independent Film Awards (aka AIFAs), they were voted on by international film festival programmers, U.S. based film festival programmers, and North American film critics (including yours truly.) “First and foremost, we would like to thank all film producers and distribution companies who helped us identify qualifying films and outline the categories. We’d also like to thank the international and American based film festival programmers, and...

Cherry Falls, starring the late Brittany Murphy, is getting the Blu-ray treatment courtesy of Scream Factory on March 29th! Also: a trailer for Darling, The Eyes of My Mother acquisition news, Nitehawk Cinema's programming schedule for March, Baskin release details, and Everlasting at the Nevermore Film Festival.

Cherry Falls: Press Release: "Lose your innocence…or lose your life. On March 29th, 2016, Scream Factory presents teen thriller Cherry Falls in its Blu-ray debut packed with new extras including audio commentary with Geoffrey Wright and interviews with writer/co-executive producer Ken Selden and producer Marshall Persinger.

A serial killer is stalking the peaceful town of Cherry Falls. At first, it seems that he is just targeting teenagers, but after the third killing, it becomes clear that all the victims have been virgins. When the town's students hear about this, they realize that there is only one way to protect themselves and...

Borderline Films co-founders Josh Mond, Sean Durkin and Antonio Campos have unveiled a label to board projects as executive producers starting with Park City selection The Eyes Of My Mother.

The black-and-white drama explores the dark obsessions of a lonely young woman in the wake of a tragedy in the countryside and premieres in Next on Friday.

Nicolas Pesce presented the concept for his directorial debut to Mond while working on the latter’s Sundance 2015 Next Audience Award winner James White.

Borderline oversaw the process from development through post-production. Jacob Wasserman, Schulyer Weiss and Max Born are the producers.

“We started Borderline Films so that we had each other’s support and felt safe making the films we wanted to make,” said Mond on behalf of the group.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have all made our first feature and want to use our experience to provide that same kind of support to help other like-minded...

Take two thesps from the previous Sundance film festival who both broke out big and then pair them up for your directorial debut. This is the chance that was afforded to Wayne Roberts. Grand Jury Sundance winning Me and Earl and the Dying Girl‘s Olivia Cooke and Next section winning James White‘s Christopher Abbott were enlisted for Katie Says Goodbye back in March for the New Mexico production. Included on the Blacklist’s weekly top read scripts and described as a blend of coming-of-ager, a modern Western and the first part of a possible trilogy, this appears to visit some dark matter and tonally could be the antithesis of The Girlfriend Experience.

Gist: Katie (Cooke), a kindhearted seventeen-year-old turns to prostitution to overcome poverty and fulfill her dream of a new life in San Francisco.

Production Co./Producers: Producers: Tandem Pictures’ Jake Wasserman (Katie Says Goodbye) and Schuyler Weiss...

Todd Haynes is in the running for best director and both Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are in contention for best female lead alongside Room’s Brie Larson as Carol earned six 2016 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations in Los Angeles on Tuesday.Scroll down for full list of nominations

Close behind were Spotlight and Beasts Of No Nation on five apiece, followed by indie darling Tangerine and Anomalisa on four each.

Not even a glitch that saw the list of nominees temporarily appear on the Film Independent website prior to the official announcement could spoil what turned out by and large to be a recognition of independent film in its myriad forms.

Besides the more predictable contenders like Carol, Spotlight and Room, there was plenty of love for Tangerine, shot on an iPhone, and Beasts Of No Nation from Netflix, whose day-and-date release (and what that portends) infuriated large swathes of the exhibition sector but has clearly...

Todd Haynes is in the running for best director and both Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are in contention for best female lead alongside Room’s Brie Larson as Carol earned six 2016 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Close behind were Spotlight and Beasts Of No Nation on five apiece, followed by indie darling Tangerine and Anomalisa on four each.

Not even a glitch that saw the list of nominees temporarily appear on the Film Independent website prior to the official announcement could spoil what turned out by and large to be a recognition of independent film in its myriad forms.

Besides the more predictable contenders like Carol, Spotlight and Room, there was plenty of love for Tangerine, shot on an iPhone, and Beasts Of No Nation from Netflix, whose day-and-date release (and what that portends) infuriated large swathes of the exhibition sector but has clearly impressed critics.

Magnolia Pictures earned...

Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the La Film Festival and Film Independent at Lacma, announced nominations for the 2016 Spirit Awards this morning. Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at W Hollywood, with actors John Boyega and Elizabeth Olsen presenting the nominations.

Nominees for Best Feature included Anomalisa, Beasts of No Nation, Carol, Spotlight and Tangerine.

“This year’s nominees are a testament to the strength, vitality and diversity of independent, artist-driven filmmaking,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “It’s an astonishingly strong group of films and performances this year and we look forward to celebrating them all at the Spirit Awards.”

Spotlight was selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman...

Supported by the same folks who brought us Mona Fastvold’s The Sleepwalker (Sundance 2014) and accompanied by the Borderline Films crew (who need no introduction on this site but what is worth the mention is how extremely productive they are beyond their own back-to-back features (James White and Christine) first-time filmmaker Nicolas Pesce is well versed in the art of eye candy (this year’s clip for Tei Shi’s Bassically is addictive). The under the radar project saw principal photography come to a close this October. Starring Kika Malgahaes, Will Brill, Clara Wong, Flora Diaz, and Olivia Bond, The Eyes of My Mother sounds indie spirit from someone who appears to have a skillset and more importantly, already have a distinct eye.

Gist: This centers around a young girl who raises herself alone in isolation after a tragedy besets her family.

Production Co./Producers: Producers: Tandem Pictures’ Jake Wasserman...