She suggests Austin, San Francisco, and the Seattle festivals as good places to gage audience reaction. She also recommends attendance at the IFFM in New York. Jon Gerrans, Co-President Strand Releasing. Difficult to define what is an independent film, but for us it is a unique, cutting edge film with a particular point of view. If Landmark passes on your film, you're probably in trouble.
Film critics are also a key to the success of an independent film, befriend film critics.
Doug Freed, Buyer for Landmark Theaters. Trailers are hugely important, they drive the art market business. Personally, likes documentaries even if they are always a hard sell. Greatest asset of indie film is quality of the story, that the projects are story driven, production values follow in importance. 36 minute dramatic short starring Glenne Headly and David Thewlis.