Brad Pitt praises indie cinema's resurgence at film festivals

Brad Pitt said indie cinema “feels as strong as in the ’90s” while walking the red carpet at the San Sebastián International Film Festival on Thursday, just before the world premiere of David Ayer’s new drama Heart of the Beast.

The comment comes at a time when independent filmmaking has been under pressure from streaming giants, pandemic‑related shutdowns and shrinking theatrical windows. In the past decade, many small‑budget films have struggled to find distribution, and festivals have become the primary launchpads for new talent. Pitt, whose production company Plan B Entertainment has backed several successful indie projects, is one of the most visible Hollywood figures to publicly defend the sector’s vitality.

In a brief interview with reporters, Pitt praised the surge of fresh voices emerging from festivals across Europe and North America. He noted that “the energy you see in the rooms at Cannes, Berlin and now San Sebastián is exactly what made the ’90s such a golden era for independent film.” He added that new financing models, such as equity crowdfunding and hybrid theatrical‑digital releases, are giving filmmakers more options than ever before. Ayer’s Heart of the Beast, a gritty thriller about a wildlife poaching ring set in the Amazon, is being presented in competition for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Shell, and will later roll out on a limited U.S. theatrical run before moving to a streaming platform.

The film’s screening will be closely watched by buyers and critics alike, and a strong reception could signal a broader revival for indie titles at major festivals. Industry analysts say Pitt’s endorsement may encourage investors to back riskier projects, while the festival’s awards jury will decide whether Ayer’s film can translate buzz into accolades. If Heart of the Beast garners awards, it could set a precedent for other mid‑budget films to secure wider distribution, reinforcing the notion that independent cinema is indeed back at the strength it enjoyed in the 1990s.