Created by David Walker, INDIE FILM JOURNAL is an on-line publication committed primarily to the criticism and promotion of independently produced film and video.

Defining “independently produced film and video” has become increasingly difficult. By contemporary standards, films like Juno and Little Miss Sunshine, which cost less than $10 million to produce and earned over $100 million at the box office, are considered to be indie. But twenty or thirty years ago an independent film was considered something like Jim Jarmusch’s Stranger Than Paradise, which was made for $90,000 and earned just over $2 million, or Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It, made for $160,000 and earned over $7 million.

Rather than trying to definitively define “independent film,” IFJ takes an approach similar to that of the U.S. Supreme Court when defining pornography – We know it when we see it. Our commitment is to call attention to quality films that deserve to be seen, and point out those rather dubious movies that should be avoided. With that in mind, here is the mission statement of INDIE FILM JOURNAL.

IFJ strives to call attention to films that lack the financial and marketing resources of mainstream Hollywood, therefore running the risk of being marginalized, despite quality of content.

IFJ believes that all films deserve critical analysis by individuals who understand the craft of cinema.

IFJ supports filmmakers who create and distribute films outside the current paradigm of the mainstream industry.

IFJ believes that it is not just the responsibility of filmmakers to make better movies, but for audiences to demand more from films, filmmakers and film critics, and that audiences have a right to informed criticism.

IFJ does not believe that mainstream films produced in the Hollywood system are evil, and will at times review select films if there is something of merit to be said.

IFJ believes all films are good (except for the bad parts).