Film Festival at Hollywood Park
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hllywdparkfilmfest.bsky.social
Film Festival at Hollywood Park
@hllywdparkfilmfest.bsky.social
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October 6-12, 2025. Submission is now open! https://hollywoodparkfilmfest.com/
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Indie filmmakers can still break through—but not by following the studio playbook. Festivals, streaming, and niche platforms are where originality thrives.

How can the industry better champion originality without sacrificing reach?
The weekend of June 20-22 was a microcosm of the bigger picture.

For indie creators, the message is clear: unless you have brand equity or studio backing, theaters aren’t where new voices break out—they’re where franchises get louder.
Takeaways for Indie Filmmakers?
1. Theatrical real estate is tighter than ever → brand equity matters.
2. Franchise culture is locked in → familiarity sells.
3. Indie-origin franchises are exceptions, not the norm.
4. Streaming is indie’s lifeline.
Last up: 28 YEARS LATER

It’s a legacy sequel to a cult classic. An exception—not the rule. What began as a low-budget indie became franchise IP.

As a prestige horror legacy sequel, with cult status and original creators back, it delivered: $30M domestic, $60M global, and a 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Next up: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (2025)

Universal stuck to a simple formula: franchise-driven IP, leverage nostalgia, minimize creative risk.

They won big in the end with an $83M opening & 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
First up: Pixar’s ELIO

Despite strong word-of-mouth and critical appreciation,
it got buried beneath franchise noise.

82% Rotten Tomatoes paired with a $21M as Pixar's worst-ever opening weekend.

Audiences are now conditioned to choose familiarity over invention.
Together, these films paint a clear picture of an industry doubling down on safe bets and leaving little room for risk-taking, especially for independent creators.
With Pixar's Elio, Universal’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon, and Sony’s 28 Years Later all launching or sustaining runs, we witnessed a clash between originality, nostalgia, and legacy IP.
The June 20–22 weekend wasn’t just a three-way box office showdown—it was a reflection of the growing disparity between major studio tentpoles and the shrinking space for original or indie-minded filmmaking.

#Elio #28YearsLater #HowToTrainYourDragon #Indiefilm
Boldly challenging the norms of 1999, BOYS DON'T CRY sheds light on the courage it takes to live authentically. It remains a vital milestone in queer cinema.

Have you seen the movie?
Drop your thoughts or favorite scenes below!

#TransCinema #90sIndieFilm
With years of research and casting—this was a labor of love.
From Rotten Tomatoes to the Academy, BOYS DON’T CRY left its mark both critically and culturally.
A film ahead of its time—and not without criticism.

A landmark moment for queer cinema, and a reminder of how far we still had to go. Controversial in its casting, yet influential in shaping more inclusive storytelling ahead.
Before mainstream media was ready, this film brought a trans man’s story front and center.
A trailblazing indie. A complicated legacy. A turning point for trans stories on screen. Here’s why this film still matters ⤵️
Let’s talk about BOYS DON’T CRY (1999), one of our recent Indie Spotlights! Groundbreaking and complex, yet controversial, this film paved the path for trans stories on screen.

#PrideMonth #BoysDontCry #KimberlyPeirce #LGBTQCinema #Transrepresentation
Do you think modern films portray teen boys more authentically, or are old tropes still being recycled?

Think of your favorite (or least favorite) teen boy in film. What did he represent? Did he feel real?

We'd love to hear your take.
Hollywood’s portrayal of the teen boy isn’t static. From the 1950s to today, their cinematic roles have diversified, evolved, and sometimes even been recycled.
From Andy Hardy to Final Girls’ foes, let’s unpack the evolution.
How Hollywood has framed the teenage boy has evolved over the decades, shaping society’s view of boyhood and masculinity. From wholesome to rebellious to cannon fodder, every era's archetype reveals shifting expectations of what it is to be a man.

#Boyhood #ComingOfAge #MasculinityOnScreen
What can you do? Watch & share inclusive films! Support equity-driven fests! Follow orgs like @firelightmedia! Push for transparency!

Representation isn’t just numbers—it’s access, impact, and voice. Let’s build an indie film world where everyone’s story gets told.

#IndieCinema #InclusiveStories
One fest changing the narrative is the Film Festival at Hollywood Park. It’s rooted in inclusion and diversity, and serves as a platform to elevate underrepresented voices and stories. Learn more at hollywoodparkfilmfest.com!
Indie isn’t immune, key barriers include:
- Funding disparities that mirror Hollywood bias
- Niche labels harm the marketability of BIPOC/LGBTQ+ stories
- Gatekeepers who still skew white/male

Access matters: In 2024, only 21% of festival programmers were BIPOC & 1 in 5 festivals had LGBTQ+ jurors