IFTA Turns 30 and Names 30

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Mon, 09/13/2010 - 20:00 -- Nick Dager

The Independent Film & Television Alliance marking its 30th anniversary has selected the 30 Most Significant Independent Films from around the world produced over the past three decades. IFTA chairman Lloyd Kaufman and president and CEO Jean Prewitt jointly made the announcement. 
Since 1981 IFTA members have produced and distributed 18 of 30 films that have won the Best Picture Academy Award. Overall IFTA members produce more than 400 films annually. 
 
 In selecting the Most Significant Independent Films from the past three decades IFTA’s 27-member board of directors considered independently financed films produced worldwide and a variety of factors including features that introduced new cinematic styles; garnered awards; achieved critical acclaim; launched the careers of notable producers directors and actors; or had other standout qualities.  
 
 “From Oscar winners to controversial and visionary game changers independent films have shaped and defined the film industry and popular culture over the last 30 years ” Kaufman says. 
 
 Prewitt says “IFTA’s Board an international and diverse group considered a vast number of tremendous imaginative films. The 30 Most Significant Independent Films truly reflects our industry’s breadth of vision and we encourage the discussion that the selection will spark.”
 
The Most Significant Independent Films from each of the past three decades follows: 1980s: Amadeus; Blue Velvet; Dances With Wolves; Das Boot (The Boat); Gandhi; My Left Foot; A Nightmare On Elm Street; Platoon; Sex Lies and Videotape; The Terminator (Honorary mentions: The Killing Fields; The Last Emperor; The Toxic Avenger.) 1990s: Braveheart; Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon; Fargo; Four Weddings and a Funeral; Life Is Beautiful; Pulp Fiction; Reservoir Dogs; The Silence of the Lambs; The Usual Suspects; Where the Day Takes You (Honorary mentions: Basic Instinct Good Will Hunting; Trainspotting.)
 
 2000s: Brokeback Mountain; Crash; The Hurt Locker; Inglourious Basterds; Juno; Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring; Million Dollar Baby; Monster; The Pianist; Slumdog Millionaire (Honorary mentions: Bowling for Columbine; Memento; Twilight)
 
American Cinematheque has partnered with IFTA for the screening series 30 Most Significant Independent Films.) The series will launch on September 29th at American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood with a reception screening of the acclaimed 1989 Irish film My Left Foot winner of two Oscars for Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Best Supporting Actress (Brenda Fricker) followed by a Q&A with director Jim Sheridan (schedule permitting). 

 American Cinematheque and IFTA will announce the screenings schedule details of which are below as well as special guests slated to appear at specific screenings. The series will alternate between the Egyptian and Aero Theatres in Santa Monica. The Independent Film & Television Alliance www.ifta-online.org