What does it take to make a film when you don't have Hollywood behind you?

For the 5th anniversary of the Below the Line Film Festival, TREMG News in Progress goes behind the films and into the realities of independent filmmaking.

TREMG has covered Below the Line for the past three years, and this year we're asking a bigger question:

What happens when you stop believing that filmmaking is only for people who already have access?

Tahyira Savanna sits down with festival creatives to talk about the nerves of releasing a film, finding your genre and audience, the moment they almost quit, production challenges, and why audiences showing up matters.

We also look at the independent film ecosystem—including affordable submission and discovery platforms such as FilmFreeway—that help connect filmmakers with festivals and audiences.

And this message is especially for the person listening who has been thinking:

"I want to make a film… but I don't know where to start."

You don't have to know everything.

You can be a student at any age.

You can be a first-time filmmaker.

You can start with what you have and learn along the way.

Every filmmaker has a first film.

🎬 Below the Line Film Festival
📅 October 2–3, 2026

🎟️ Get festival tickets:
FilmFreeway — Below the Line Film Festival Tickets

🎤 Interview by Tahyira Savanna
📰 TREMG News in Progress

Listen. Get inspired. Then go see the films.

#TREMG #NewsInProgress #BelowTheLineFilmFestival #IndieFilm #IndependentFilm #Filmmaker #FilmFestival #IndieFilmmaker #FilmCommunity #StudentFilmmaker #IndependentCinema