Independent producers are important to filmmaking for a number of reasons.
They provide a training ground for new talent. Many people who have gotten their start in independent films have gone on to make their mark in mainstream films. They introduce and explore topics that are seen as too avant- garde or politically risky for mainstream producers. They introduce new techniques that may be later adopted by mainstream producers. Because the independents typically make films at a fraction of the cost of those made by the major studios, they can tailor content to small, select, audiences.