Independence Day
Updated: 11 hours ago
By Julie Sisk | July 4, 2026
Happy 4th of July!
Thinking about Independence Day I started wondering about the “independent films” we exhibit, champion and love. And here is my question:
Are independent films really independent?
The answer, of course, is complicated. Independent films still need financing, distribution, marketing, and investors. Every filmmaker has to answer to someone. Independence in film doesn't necessarily mean freedom from economic realities.
What it often means is something else entirely.
It means the freedom to pursue a story because it matters.
It means making creative decisions that aren't driven solely by the widest possible audience or the largest possible return.
It means believing that art, community, and human connection have value beyond a balance sheet.
That's the kind of independence that inspires me.
Thirty-seven years ago, when I founded The American Pavilion, I wasn't pursuing a growth strategy. And I’d never seen a spreadsheet or heard of EBITDA. I was creating a community—a place where students, filmmakers, industry professionals, and film lovers could come together in Cannes literally under one tent and feel connected to something larger than themselves.
Looking back, I realize I've always been a community builder.
Whether at The American Pavilion or now with Take2Film, the goal has never changed. It's about bringing people together through a shared love of cinema.
That's one of the reasons I am so excited about this new chapter.
Take2Film is independent in every sense of the word. We don’t have shareholders expecting 10% year-over-year growth. We don't have to chase every trend. We have the freedom to focus on what we care about most: creating meaningful experiences for people who love film, introducing newcomers to festivals we know intimately, and building a community of curious, engaged travelers.
There is something deeply satisfying about returning to that independence.
I am sure that's why IND/EX felt so inspiring and comfortable.
This Independence Day, I'm grateful for the filmmakers, exhibitors, programmers, cultural organizations, and entrepreneurs who continue to champion independent voices. The world needs people who create things because they matter, not simply because they scale.
After all, that's what independence is really about.
Hope you enjoy the video from the very early American Pavilion days! Its all about the community!
Warmly,
– Julie
