Jeffrey Ikahn Film Industry Blog

There’s a version of screenwriting that lives inside a formula. Three acts, a likable protagonist, a clear antagonist, a resolution that leaves… Read more: What Makes a Great Indie Film Script, And Why Indie Stories Go Where Studios Won’t

The 2026 festival season has been one of the most active in recent memory. Sundance sparked distribution bidding wars in January. SXSW… Read more: How the Film Festival Circuit Works

On April 15, 2026, Elevate Production Finance (EPF) and Privata Capital announced a new joint media finance fund — one built specifically… Read more: New Indie Film Fund Launches: Elevate Production Finance & Privata Capital

Charli XCX’s acting debut, Erupcja, hits select theaters April 17, 2026, and it’s already earned an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes after premiering… Read more: Why Pop Culture Figures Are Taking Over Indie Film

By traditional measures, an indie film can do everything right. Hitting budget targets, premiering at a festival, and landing a distribution deal.… Read more: The Indie Film Industry is Designed to Fail

The Spirit Awards just had their biggest shake-up in 40 years. For the first time since 1994, the Film Independent Spirit Awards… Read more: The 2026 Spirit Awards Proved Indie Film Isn’t Going Anywhere

The start of 2026 has marked a historic “international festival run” for the Scottish film industry. Screen Scotland is currently celebrating a… Read more: Scotland’s International Film Takeover: From Sundance to the Berlinale

Independent filmmaking has never been a solo pursuit. In 2026, that reality is even clearer as online communities play a growing role… Read more: Top Online Communities Helping Indie Filmmakers Connect and Create

A new film festival is taking shape in Adelaide, South Australia, and it’s built from the ground up. The Semaphore Summer Film… Read more: Adelaide Launches a New Community-Driven Indie Film Festival

A new pathway into independent filmmaking is opening for teens in the Washington, D.C. area. The DC Independent Film Festival has launched… Read more: DC Independent Film Festival Launches Online Hub for Young Filmmakers

The Sundance Institute has revealed the 54 short films selected for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, and the numbers alone tell a… Read more: Sundance 2026 Short Films Lineup Sets a New Bar for Indie Storytelling

A Growing Platform for Global Independent Storytelling The Zions Indie Film Fest (ZIFF) has officially opened submissions for its 25th anniversary edition,… Read more: ZIFF 2026: Submissions Now Open for Utah’s Global Indie Film Showcase

What Happened The inaugural IndieChina Film Festival, set to take place in NYC from November 8–15, has been abruptly cancelled. According to… Read more: IndieChina Film Festival Shut Down Amid Reported Pressure on Directors

The UAE’s Sharjah Film Platform (SFP) is back for its 8th edition, running November 14–23, 2025, with early bird passes now available.… Read more: Sharjah Film Platform Returns for Its 8th Edition This November

The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is back this November with its biggest lineup yet—250 films from 76 countries, representing the… Read more: IDFA 2025: A Global Stage for Documentary Innovation