I have only included the movies I have seen. Getting it made is certainly an achievement though, Brooke! And perhaps one day I will be able to include it.
I look forward to seeing "Ramona at Midlife." If you wish, you can watch, "Lee'd The Way." I am still waiting for Ted to watch it. I would love your feedback and Ted's.
Great post, thank you for this. I think there will always be filmmakers creating great movies on a shoestring budget (I'm currently in post-production on mine). Achieving this is hard, but not remotely as hard as what follows: these movies are often completely ignored by the film industry. Indeed, they compete for the same 40 spots at top festivals with multi-million dollar movies - I am reusing here the phrasing of Carlos A. Gutiérrez (@carlosagutierrez), who recently wrote one of the best and most comprehensive posts about this https://substack.com/home/post/p-167433540.
Invariably and regardless of quality, the film industry favors the latter. There is also a very real 'legacy problem'. One young filmmaker is acclaimed for his first or second movie, and then is assured access to one of the 40 spots for his next 5 films, albeit these might not be good at all. It's not an industry, it's a club, and a club that artificially created a bottleneck to keep small films at bay. There is also a culture of 'big bucks or bust' that leads to scorn for the poor and the unconnected - read movies with no budgets and no support. Making a movie with no money is almost shameful in this country, and independent filmmakers are often looked down on as if only one degree away from homelessness. This lack of respect and appreciation for the artistry is truly a shock when one comes from a country, France, whose renowned Cinema is built almost entirely on such movies.
Make sure you let me know about your present film, so I can put it on my list. I am part of a studio of filmmakers who have made and are making these micro-budget films.
I have a Substack where I post about it. Editing took its toll on the frequency of these posts, haha, but I finished it, so while color-correction and sound mix are done, I should post more and share updates. https://estelleartus.substack.com/
I’m glad to see you including some microbudget film stuff as today I think a very high percentage, maybe 90% of truly independent filmmakers work in this world.
Great list Ted, and these are the films that made it later after a good fest premiere and additional marketing and easily years and years of unpaid work and hours. Under 300k in budget is only a part of the formula and commitment. Sweat Equity and singular, and an often a lonely existence working on your film and dream are what also make the difference.
I easily watch at least 100+ of these types of films yearly for Slamdance, finding the gems and deserving films takes patience, some often need to get passed by many key festivals, only to be discovered by another….
But when I meet the filmmakers of these films there always something beyond what the film cost, the $$$ numbers become incidental in the end, wherein the talent, personality, insight and sheer dedication to their project is often what makes the difference.
A genuine cinematic charisma and strength of character to lead collaboration is often magnetic, talent attracts and begets talent.
Great list, Ted! Here are a few other favorites (don't know the budgets but I'm sure they're all under the $500k threshold): CHAN IS MISSING, THE HOURS AND TIMES, FROWNLAND, IT FELT LIKE LOVE
My sophomore feature Magnetosphere (dropping on July 22) doesn't qualify for this list but is also a modest indie and I believe my PR rep just contacted you about it — would love to be in touch! nicolarosemail@gmail.com / nicolarosedirects.substack.com
It's not the well-known ones I want to feature, it is just those are the ones I have seen! And there is only so much time in the day (or life). There are so many that I have identified as things I want to watch I know I won't get to them all. That said, GP is on the list!
Thank you very much, Ted. And just a heads up that my publicist, Alya Stationwala at Route 504, got in touch with you about my sophomore feature Magnetosphere. It’s not under the budget threshold you mentioned, but it would be lovely to have a review, interview or mention from you. Please let me know if there’s anything I/we can supply you with, and thank you so much. Love what you do with this blog.
Thank you! Goodbye Petrushka was my starter feature, a tiny micro budget semi comedy about being 19 and abroad and making stupid choices… hope you enjoy.
Great film. I loved your treatment of "love" and weaving in different aspects of entertainment: sports, puppets, animation and film. It brought back memories of my favorite film of all time, "Children of Paradise."
oh thank you so much! No obligation, but would you be willing to leave a brief review on IMDb and letterboxd? It can be as brief as you like and as many or as few stars as you like, :-)
Hey Ted, just a heads up, I emailed you a private Vimeo link to watch the re-edited movie. I sent the trailer as well. Hope you get a chance to watch and I hope you like it! Ready to make my second feature film!
Thanks Eric and that's the idea. I started this newsletter partially because I wanted there to be something to inspire me over morning coffee, and I felt if I can't have that, perhaps I could give it to others.
Right on, Tim. If you “need” 50 k for a short… I would say take another look. Back when lugging cans of film, ppl could not conceive of the things possible now. I don’t care what you shot it on, how you shot it, or if you raised money at a lemonade state. Clever filmmakers make me stop think about the budget because I am wrapped up in their story. I made a movie , the second of my career, very fortunate to have made it with Mr. Hope. People kept saying , you made that for 1.9 million?? The writer director would say to me, essentially, we should never have to apologize for the budget. It works or it doesn’t.
Elliot Grove, Raindance, and the British Independent Film Awards in London do a great job acknowledging non-US low budget films. The Raindance blog has tons of great information.
Full disclosure, I run Raindance New York and a RNY Short Film night in the fall.
In terms of modern budgets, I’ve seen a lot of folks come at this with the idea they need $50,000 to do a 10 minute short. In comparison, I’ve had one of my feature budgets come in at $50k.
High quality, low budget films can be done.
To do that, craft comes into play. We will need mad skills. Way more skills than one thinks in all phases and departments.
Fighting this revolution will be hard but it can and must be done!
I have to admit. Not getting into Raindance this year with my $4k feature was pretty disappointing. Of all the festivals, I thought that was the one I had the best chance at getting in.
I would love for it to have a limited theatrical run. I've had really good responses from just the poster and trailer. I do think that if I can get the trailer in some theaters along with the poster, it could bring people in looking for something that isn't a sequel, prequel, remake with the same 10 actors (Pedro), with a social justice storyline.
Yes, love this! These are the films that gave me permission and inspiration to become a filmmaker! Let’s not forget the amazing Barbra Loden’s WANDA with a crew of 5 and Penelope Spheeris’s first narrative feature, SUBURBIA. Both made for under 100K.
Thank you, Ted! I'm currently in development and pre-production for my debut feature—working with a budget under $300K. It's definitely a challenge, but staying true to the core of the story and my vision keeps me grounded. I'd really appreciate your advice. Would it be okay if I reached out privately?
Yay! Love that you added SMITHEREENS and Cassettes FACES and SHADOWS! As a fan of micro budget filmmaking, my Adrienne Shelly Foundation award winning feature, PERFECTION and most recent film, HANCOCK PARK both made for well under 100k too! Xo
Great additions here Dane. Thanks for contributing to the microbudget list. I haven't seen all of them so you have also added to my To Watch group. If only we could make some extra time in the day.
When I read the script for IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, I was blown away. I thought we had to get a woman to direct it and brought it to a few, but they turned it down. I encouraged Neil to do a short first and fed him some of the good microbudget films at the time (I remember LAWS OF GRAVITY was one). I intro'd him to Matt Malloy, who had been in the Hal Hartley films I'd don. Neil got in an accident, won an insurance claim, and that funded the feature. He brought it to us to help, but my company was too busy at the time, and we brought it to the staff to decide if we could take on more, but they passed. I am bummed to this day, I couldn't have helped more, but I did share it with Geoff Gilmore who ran Sundance at the time. And the rest is history. A side note is Neil had several of his scripts written at the time, and we sent them to agents -- but no one would sign him. After he self-produced/financed ITCOM, he soon became one of the most produced writers in America.
mine! we made Ramona at Midlife for just under 300K!
I have only included the movies I have seen. Getting it made is certainly an achievement though, Brooke! And perhaps one day I will be able to include it.
always happy to send you a link. we played woodstock, bentonville, florida, omaha & others, some alongside invisible nation.
I look forward to seeing "Ramona at Midlife." If you wish, you can watch, "Lee'd The Way." I am still waiting for Ted to watch it. I would love your feedback and Ted's.
I watched "Ramona At Midlife." It is an excellent film. Let's talk.
Great post, thank you for this. I think there will always be filmmakers creating great movies on a shoestring budget (I'm currently in post-production on mine). Achieving this is hard, but not remotely as hard as what follows: these movies are often completely ignored by the film industry. Indeed, they compete for the same 40 spots at top festivals with multi-million dollar movies - I am reusing here the phrasing of Carlos A. Gutiérrez (@carlosagutierrez), who recently wrote one of the best and most comprehensive posts about this https://substack.com/home/post/p-167433540.
Invariably and regardless of quality, the film industry favors the latter. There is also a very real 'legacy problem'. One young filmmaker is acclaimed for his first or second movie, and then is assured access to one of the 40 spots for his next 5 films, albeit these might not be good at all. It's not an industry, it's a club, and a club that artificially created a bottleneck to keep small films at bay. There is also a culture of 'big bucks or bust' that leads to scorn for the poor and the unconnected - read movies with no budgets and no support. Making a movie with no money is almost shameful in this country, and independent filmmakers are often looked down on as if only one degree away from homelessness. This lack of respect and appreciation for the artistry is truly a shock when one comes from a country, France, whose renowned Cinema is built almost entirely on such movies.
Make sure you let me know about your present film, so I can put it on my list. I am part of a studio of filmmakers who have made and are making these micro-budget films.
I have a Substack where I post about it. Editing took its toll on the frequency of these posts, haha, but I finished it, so while color-correction and sound mix are done, I should post more and share updates. https://estelleartus.substack.com/
Are you related to First Run Features?
No, but I am a producer/writer with Made To Order Movies: An International Studio Without Borders or Walls.
I’m glad to see you including some microbudget film stuff as today I think a very high percentage, maybe 90% of truly independent filmmakers work in this world.
Great list Ted, and these are the films that made it later after a good fest premiere and additional marketing and easily years and years of unpaid work and hours. Under 300k in budget is only a part of the formula and commitment. Sweat Equity and singular, and an often a lonely existence working on your film and dream are what also make the difference.
I easily watch at least 100+ of these types of films yearly for Slamdance, finding the gems and deserving films takes patience, some often need to get passed by many key festivals, only to be discovered by another….
But when I meet the filmmakers of these films there always something beyond what the film cost, the $$$ numbers become incidental in the end, wherein the talent, personality, insight and sheer dedication to their project is often what makes the difference.
A genuine cinematic charisma and strength of character to lead collaboration is often magnetic, talent attracts and begets talent.
Making notes successful films takes EVERYTHING.
Great list, Ted! Here are a few other favorites (don't know the budgets but I'm sure they're all under the $500k threshold): CHAN IS MISSING, THE HOURS AND TIMES, FROWNLAND, IT FELT LIKE LOVE
Adding them now. Great callout Nelson. Thanks!
Hi Ted,
I know you're looking to highlight well-known ones, but — my first feature Goodbye, Petrushka was well made for under $200K in 2021. https://tubitv.com/movies/680460/goodbye-petrushka
My sophomore feature Magnetosphere (dropping on July 22) doesn't qualify for this list but is also a modest indie and I believe my PR rep just contacted you about it — would love to be in touch! nicolarosemail@gmail.com / nicolarosedirects.substack.com
Thanks,
N.
It's not the well-known ones I want to feature, it is just those are the ones I have seen! And there is only so much time in the day (or life). There are so many that I have identified as things I want to watch I know I won't get to them all. That said, GP is on the list!
Thank you very much, Ted. And just a heads up that my publicist, Alya Stationwala at Route 504, got in touch with you about my sophomore feature Magnetosphere. It’s not under the budget threshold you mentioned, but it would be lovely to have a review, interview or mention from you. Please let me know if there’s anything I/we can supply you with, and thank you so much. Love what you do with this blog.
I will put "Goodbye Petrushka" on my list to watch.
Thank you! Goodbye Petrushka was my starter feature, a tiny micro budget semi comedy about being 19 and abroad and making stupid choices… hope you enjoy.
Great film. I loved your treatment of "love" and weaving in different aspects of entertainment: sports, puppets, animation and film. It brought back memories of my favorite film of all time, "Children of Paradise."
oh thank you so much! No obligation, but would you be willing to leave a brief review on IMDb and letterboxd? It can be as brief as you like and as many or as few stars as you like, :-)
You forgot “Looking for the Jackalope” - a cautionary tale about nostalgia, made for about $200,000. ;)
I have only included the films I've seen. Perhaps one day that will include LFTJ.
Hey Ted, just a heads up, I emailed you a private Vimeo link to watch the re-edited movie. I sent the trailer as well. Hope you get a chance to watch and I hope you like it! Ready to make my second feature film!
Best,
Karl Shefelman
Yes, I loved it Karl.
Oh thanks! Where did uoi see it? What is your name?
I am Eugene Mandelcorn, a producer/writer with Made To Order Movies.
Right, of course! Now I remember connecting with you . How are you? Whatcha working on?
We will be shooting a feature later this year in SoCal and have another project to shoot in the South of France.
Great! I’ve got two features in development, one set in Austin and one set in in Texas and West Africa , Mali.
Thanks for putting this together, Ted. Lots to get inspired by on here.
Thanks Eric and that's the idea. I started this newsletter partially because I wanted there to be something to inspire me over morning coffee, and I felt if I can't have that, perhaps I could give it to others.
Right on, Tim. If you “need” 50 k for a short… I would say take another look. Back when lugging cans of film, ppl could not conceive of the things possible now. I don’t care what you shot it on, how you shot it, or if you raised money at a lemonade state. Clever filmmakers make me stop think about the budget because I am wrapped up in their story. I made a movie , the second of my career, very fortunate to have made it with Mr. Hope. People kept saying , you made that for 1.9 million?? The writer director would say to me, essentially, we should never have to apologize for the budget. It works or it doesn’t.
Elliot Grove, Raindance, and the British Independent Film Awards in London do a great job acknowledging non-US low budget films. The Raindance blog has tons of great information.
Full disclosure, I run Raindance New York and a RNY Short Film night in the fall.
In terms of modern budgets, I’ve seen a lot of folks come at this with the idea they need $50,000 to do a 10 minute short. In comparison, I’ve had one of my feature budgets come in at $50k.
High quality, low budget films can be done.
To do that, craft comes into play. We will need mad skills. Way more skills than one thinks in all phases and departments.
Fighting this revolution will be hard but it can and must be done!
We need a von Steuben.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Wilhelm_von_Steuben
Perhaps I have just found a theme for my Substack. 🤔
I have to admit. Not getting into Raindance this year with my $4k feature was pretty disappointing. Of all the festivals, I thought that was the one I had the best chance at getting in.
Where can I see your film, Mark?
It ends it's festival run early September. Then I'll be putting it up on Amazon first, if I don't get distribution
Let's talk about it possibly getting a limited theatrical before going to Amazon.
I'll be in LA for 19 weeks from August 5th
I would love for it to have a limited theatrical run. I've had really good responses from just the poster and trailer. I do think that if I can get the trailer in some theaters along with the poster, it could bring people in looking for something that isn't a sequel, prequel, remake with the same 10 actors (Pedro), with a social justice storyline.
Yes, love this! These are the films that gave me permission and inspiration to become a filmmaker! Let’s not forget the amazing Barbra Loden’s WANDA with a crew of 5 and Penelope Spheeris’s first narrative feature, SUBURBIA. Both made for under 100K.
Thanks for the catch! I love Wanda! That and Killer Of Sheep! It seems that SUBURBIA was done for $500k, about this threshold, alas.
That’s interesting about Suburbia, I’m actually in that film as a teenager and maybe IMDB has the budget as more?
Thank you, Ted! I'm currently in development and pre-production for my debut feature—working with a budget under $300K. It's definitely a challenge, but staying true to the core of the story and my vision keeps me grounded. I'd really appreciate your advice. Would it be okay if I reached out privately?
Yay! Love that you added SMITHEREENS and Cassettes FACES and SHADOWS! As a fan of micro budget filmmaking, my Adrienne Shelly Foundation award winning feature, PERFECTION and most recent film, HANCOCK PARK both made for well under 100k too! Xo
Upstream Color -- Shane Carruth, $50k
Another Earth -- Mike Cahill, $150k, apparently most of which was just one single effects shot.
To be honest a lot of Brit Marling produced / acted movies probably fit this parameter.
Hundreds of Beavers -- Mike Cheslik -- estimates vary but it seems to have settled on $150k over 3.5 years
The Feeling that the Time For Doing Something Has Passed -- Joanna Arnow, I don't remember the budget but it's sub-$100k.
I have more but I'll have to think about it.
I've also worked on a few $250k movies:
By Any Means -- 2017, Dir. Leighton Spence
Yellow Fever -- 2017, Dir. Kat Moon
Stealing Chanel -- 2015, Dir Roberto Mitrotti
Landing Up (2018) -- Dir. Dani Tenenbaum I don't actually know the budget but I guarantee it was sub $200k.
And then one of my favorite movies I worked for, 37 (2016) by Puk Grasten was about or just over $500k I think.
Great additions here Dane. Thanks for contributing to the microbudget list. I haven't seen all of them so you have also added to my To Watch group. If only we could make some extra time in the day.
In the Company of Men is such a great, prescient film
When I read the script for IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, I was blown away. I thought we had to get a woman to direct it and brought it to a few, but they turned it down. I encouraged Neil to do a short first and fed him some of the good microbudget films at the time (I remember LAWS OF GRAVITY was one). I intro'd him to Matt Malloy, who had been in the Hal Hartley films I'd don. Neil got in an accident, won an insurance claim, and that funded the feature. He brought it to us to help, but my company was too busy at the time, and we brought it to the staff to decide if we could take on more, but they passed. I am bummed to this day, I couldn't have helped more, but I did share it with Geoff Gilmore who ran Sundance at the time. And the rest is history. A side note is Neil had several of his scripts written at the time, and we sent them to agents -- but no one would sign him. After he self-produced/financed ITCOM, he soon became one of the most produced writers in America.
Spa Night by Andrew Ahn (Film Independent Cassavetes Award winner)
Dang, I have had that one on my To Watch list for awhile. Thanks for reminding me, Trent.