Independent production companies have been around for over a century, with their

origins dating back to the early days of the film industry. An independent film,
independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is
produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and
distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, in some cases, distributed by
major companies)1. Independent films are sometimes distinguishable by their content
and style and the way in which the filmmakers’ personal artistic vision is
realized1. Usually, but not always, independent films are made with considerably
lower budgets than major studio films1.

In 1908, the Motion Picture Patents Company or “Edison Trust” was formed as a
trust. The Trust was a cartel that held a monopoly on film production and distribution
comprising all the major film companies of the time (Edison, Biograph, Vitagraph,
Essanay, Selig, Lubin, Kalem, American Star, American Pathé), the leading
distributor (George Kleine) and the biggest supplier of raw film, Eastman Kodak1. A
number of filmmakers declined or were refused membership to the trust and came to
be described as "independent"1.

At the time of the formation of the MPPC, Thomas Edison owned most of the major
patents relating to motion pictures, including that for raw film. The MPPC vigorously
enforced its patents, constantly bringing suits and receiving injunctions against
independent filmmakers. Because of this, a number of filmmakers responded by
building their own cameras and moving their operations to Hollywood, California,
where the distance from Edison’s home base of New Jersey made it more difficult for
the MPPC to enforce its patents1.

The Edison Trust was soon ended by two decisions of the Supreme Court of the
United States: one in 1912, which canceled the patent on raw film, and a second in
1915, which cancelled all MPPC patents1. This allowed independent filmmakers to
flourish and create their own unique visions without fear of legal repercussions.

In more recent years, independent production companies have continued to evolve

and grow. In the UK for example, since its inception - in essence since the launch of
Channel 4 in 1982 - the independent sector has grown from being a pure “cottage”
industry of talented creatives beholden to the main broadcasters to one in which
several leading companies now generate significant revenues and profits and have
attracted renewed interest from investors2. The sector is forecast to generate revenues
in 2005 of £820m from first-run commissions alone2.

Today there are many successful independent production companies operating around
the world. Sales companies such as Independent have been producing for years while
others including Protagonist HanWay Cornerstone Bankside and Embankment are
increasingly moving into production in order to have a better position on projects and
get in on good ones earlier3.

Some notable independent production companies include Sony Pictures Classics2,

Searchlight Pictures2, Lionsgate Films2, IFC Films2, A242, Netflix2, Open Road
Films2, and Annapurna Pictures2. These companies have produced many critically
acclaimed films that have won awards at prestigious film festivals such as Cannes
Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival.