The Canadian independent film industry may not be the most famous or biggest market in the world, but it is surely one of the most promising. That said, there is no clear picture of its future or easy way to get into this overwhelmingly complex market.
The upside is that we have an unbelievably large variety of urban and natural landscapes which offer the perfect starting point for creating breathtaking scenes. Plus we have a wealth of historical narratives that inspire our young directors and keep their work unique among global contenders.
In short, the future of the Canadian independent filmmaking industry is a combination of challenge and excitement. But it might be worth taking a few steps back and seeing how we got here:
The Early Days
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has been the leading player in Canada’s public film and digital media production industry for about eight decades now. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC) entered the game, creating a fertile ground for Canadian filmmakers to showcase their work.
NFB and CFDC both were driven by a sense of national identity, and encouraging Canadian filmmakers to produce feature films that reflected the unique Canadian culture and narrative instead of offering second-hand copies of Hollywood movies. And the result was pretty phenomenal.
In 1971, Claude Jutra, the grandfather of Quebecois cinema, released one of the most significant Canadian films of his era: “Mon Oncle Antoine”. “Mon Oncle Antoine turned out to be one of the turning points of the Canadian independent movie industry, featuring a subtle and detailed illustration of pre-Quiet Revolution Quebec.
While there was growing interest in making more “Canadian” films, many Canadian filmmakers still had difficulty raising the necessary funds or getting their work into distribution. So despite the government funding, the independent filmmaking industry remained a relatively small and poorly-financed industry in Canada.
The Heydays of Canadian Independent Filmmaking
The late 1960s and early 1970s were the eras that can be described as the genuine transformation of independent filmmaking in Canada into truly fascinating artwork. The new generation of filmmakers who appeared on the scene was unwilling to rely on the traditional documentary style of the NFB and eagerly sought new ways to express their own experiences.
At the same time, regional cinema was gradually finding its place among movie enthusiasts. In the early 1970s, regional film events such as the Toronto Filmmakers Co-op, the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative in Halifax, and the Winnipeg Film Group were offering a fully-fledged platform for young filmmakers who remain loyal to the concept of cultural cinema.
The Toronto Film Co-op in particular was an inspiring event that led to the emergence of numerous independent film institutions across Canada that had considerable access to state-of-the-art resources and equipment and, more importantly, reached a wide audience interested in original cinematic art.
While the late 1960s and early 1970s were some of the best days in the Canadian independent film industry, the 1980s was the Golden Age which saw the emergence of a new wave of brilliant directors like Atom Egoyan, Patricia Rozema, and David Cronenberg who put the national market on a global scene.
This period of “explosion and evolution” as Peter Morris puts it was characterized by young ambitious directors who were willing to take risks and move away from traditional forms of filmmaking and toward more experimental styles and techniques.
What’s Unique About Independent Filmmaking in Canada?
Independent cinema in any part of the world reflects the unique style, narrative and identity of its birthplace. Plus, there is some personal touch involved in indie Filmmaking that has been added by visionary, auteur directors who have a strong personal vision and creative control over their films.
Canada is no exception here. Independent Filmmaking in Canada especially during its Golden Age was characterized by a few features that more or less continues to mark the culture of cinema in our country:
Diverse Voices
Independent filmmaking in Canada has been known for its perspectives and unique voices, created in part by encouraging marginalized communities to share their narratives and personal perspectives in dealing with issues of identity, cultural self-expression, and cultural difference.
Experimentation with Form and Style
Some people believe that indie movies are purely boring! That might be true in some cases but over the past couple of decades, Canadian filmmakers were continuously pushing the boundaries of traditional cinematic methods and experimenting with new forms, genres, and storytelling styles that have been rarely tried before.
Government Funding
The establishment of government funding programs, especially NFB and CFDC was a turning point in the history of independent cinema in Canada. Besides providing financial resources to produce and distribute films on a large scale, the government funding programs played a central role in promoting cultural values and regional narratives across the country.
Political and Social Consciousness
And finally, Canadian independent filmmaking can take pride in developing one of the strongest political cultures and a deep social consciousness that has for long been dealing with third-rail, controversial issues such as Indigenous rights, feminism, and the challenges of marginalized communities in Canada.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to the intersection of culture and industry, there will always be strong proponents and critics on both sides. Independent filmmaking is definitely one of the hottest topics that has been discussed for a long time.
But no matter where we stand on the financial viability of indie cinema, we can all agree on one thing: independent filmmakers are the indicators of a healthy and vibrant film industry. They are the adventurous, risk-taking, visionaries who bring fresh perspectives to the table and diversify our culture. So, make sure to keep an eye on them!