Aaron Cole: Reconnecting Younger Audiences with Independent Film

This week filmmakers gathered in New York between the Toronto and New York film festivals to rap about the future of the indie business — or perhaps lack thereof.  

According to IndieWire, a panel including Benny Safdie, Ted Hope and Jeff Lipsky, among others, discussed the future of making independent films for younger audiences.

Hope and Lipsky charged that more and more independent films are being targeted at older white women, namely in “mumblecore” movies, while younger 20-somethings aren’t being getting the requisite sex, drugs and rock-and-roll they apparently need in their indie flicks.

But is it possible that younger audiences don’t need sex, drugs and rock-and-roll to be entertained?

Whereas the previous generation may have found identity in rebellion,“Generation Yers” might find identity in a different format. Perhaps multimedia, cross-platform films? Or maybe successful independent films may be quasi-reality based, a la “I’m Still Here”?

Maybe it’ll be skinny jeans. I hear the kids wear those all the time.

— Aaron Cole, aaron@festivusfilmfestival.com