When it comes to being an emerging independent filmmaker there is probably no greater help or tool than the internet. YouTube in particular has many, many channels dedicated to the world of independent cinema and filmmaking and here we want to point to ten of the best ones for you to consume as an independent filmmaker.
Indie Film Hustle Podcast
Hosted by Alex Ferrari, The Indie Film Hustle Podcast channel contains a treasure trove of advice for up and coming independent filmmakers through interviews with some of the most successful filmmakers working today
StudioBinder
The StudioBinder channel provides educational video essays for viewers to have a greater understanding of what makes certain films so impressive. Their ‘How They Shot It’ and ‘The Director Chair’ series’ in particular giving emerging filmmakers a great grasp of what makes their favourite films look so good
In Depth Cine
The YouTube channel of cinematographer Gray Kotze, InDepth Cine provides lots of useful tips and guidance to up and coming independent filmmakers, using real life examples from popular movies to demonstrate how to improve your own independent projects
Lessons from the Screenplay
Boasting over a million subscribers, Lessons from the Screenplay has become well known for its insightful video essays on several hit indie films such as Ex Machina, Whiplash and Portrait of a Lady on Fire, smartly commenting on what makes them so great
Film Courage
The Film Courage channel is a great tool for independent filmmakers unsure of themselves. They have a large catalogue of videos giving advice on several topics. This includes content on the business end of things such as selling a story idea as well as content on the filmmaking side of things, with the channel giving particular attention on how to craft an effective screenplay
Lost
The Lost YouTube channel is home to the Future Shorts series – a great showcase for independent filmmakers to display their short films to an online audience, with some of these shorts gaining over a million views
IndieWire
The YouTube channel of the popular and award winning website, the IndieWire YouTube channel brings you in depth interviews with a wide variety of independent filmmakers as well as trailers for some of the most exciting upcoming releases
Every Frame a Painting
The name of this channel is very appropriate, given the level of detailed analysis that goes into each video. In this sense Every Frame a Painting gives independent filmmakers a very good idea of the importance of visual detail in their projects. No surprise really that the channel has garnered over 2 million subscribers
DeepFocusLens
A film review channel, Deep Focus Lens provides a level headed approach to film reviewing and through her videos utilising fan responses on Twitter helps foster a sense of community engagement. What makes Deep Focus Lens stand apart is her willingness to review less high profile independent films that most other YouTube video review channels tend to avoid.
Raindance
We would be remiss were we not to mention our very own Raindance YouTube channel, with it being home to many advice videos, interviews, and footage from the festival itself all for your independent filmmaker viewing pleasure
Eoin McCambridge is a writer/film enthusiast from Dublin, Ireland. Graduating from the University of Galway in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies, he has previously contributed articles and film reviews to the university student website. He also has been involved in personal projects for YouTube and operated in various capacities on a number of film sets.
