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The proper definition of “indie cinema” has been the buzz debate at The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival. Once upon a time these two noble words heralded an experimental director in charge of his destiny. Now the phrase is Hollywood shorthand for a $10 million to $20 million studio drama with an Oscar-nominated performance and a serious box-office campaign.

Last week I pitched up at the NFT for a seminar called Indiewood is Dead . . . Long Live the New, True Indies, featuring five young American film-makers. It was almost impossible not to cheer. American indie directors still lead the way. They have an innate ability to pick up a camera as naturally as we would a book. This generation of thirtysomethings has absolutely no cash, but it does have a militant desire to make the next great film, come hell or high water.

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