It cost almost nothing, it was made by an inexperienced filmmaker, and it was an unexpectedly big success.

No, I’m not talking about Paranormal Activity. I’m talking about a high-school senior from a small town in Israel, making his final project in cinema studies: a short apocalyptic movie called Banisko. It got the attention of 100 top execs from Hollywood and major TV networks, after winning the NexTV Web Series and Short Film Competition in the scripted drama category over 700 applicants. Watch Banisko via Jinni here.

Helping people discover a gem like Banisko is what Jinni is all about. We hope people will use Jinni’s smart search and recommendations to look beyond the usual blockbusters and find what fits personal tastes or mood in the moment, from a much richer variety of video.

Check Jinni for Banisko’s “genome,” watch the trailer or the whole movie, or find out what makes it similar to great movies like Children of Men or the classic Things to Come. Or if you search for more titles like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you will see Banisko in the results set (with an explanation). We’re sure its director wouldn’t object to the comparison…

Other than “regular” rewards like cameras, software and so on, the most significant prize and idea behind the NexTV Competition is discovery by industry insiders. Discovery over the internet, by both industry insiders and the audience of viewers, is increasingly important for indie filmmakers.  So it’s interesting to look at the role of internet discovery in the success of Paranormal Activity and Banisko…

Both movies were made by inexperienced filmmakers - Paranormal by Oren Peli, Banisko by Omer Zigdon. Peli started the old-fashioned way, by applying to film festivals. He continued rolling out via late night and festival screenings. As soon as his movie got the attention of the industry with a limited release by Paramount, an exceptionally strong online marketing campaign led to wider release and amazing success at the box office. Peli also gained distribution for his second, upcoming film via online word-of-mouth.

Zigdon’s process was online from the beginning. A panel of respected industry judges got to see his fabulous work – all over the internet, without any physical event – and now, after winning, he will gain even more exposure. Of course, he’s yet to prove himself on a screen bigger than 22″ or 24″, but now he has a chance to do so. And this took just a couple of months…

In a conversation with Zigdon, he told me that the jury included members of The Office and In Treatment, execs from NBC, ABC, talent agencies, and more. Among those who will now get exposed to it are execs from all studios, mini studios, TV networks and other relevant firms. Top that with press and media coverage and you get a very thankful young filmmaker. Zigdon says he was already contacted about new projects and he plans to take advantage of the many doors now opening.

Omer Zigdon is just one example of how the internet can support independent, low-budget works, open doors, create word of mouth - and contribute to the richness of the film we watch.

Technorati Tags: indie film, indies, filmmaker

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While you’re waiting impatiently for Zack and Miri Make a Porno to open in theaters this Friday, let’s talk about director Kevin Smith. In the style of many geniuses before him, Smith dropped out of film school, worked as a video store clerk, and sold his comic book collection to make his first movie, Clerks, on a budget of $27,000. Flush with $3 million at the box office and critical acclaim, Smith went on to make Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl, and  Clerks 2. What do nearly all these movies have in common? Slackers. So in honor of KS’s favorite character type, here’s our list of top cinematic slackers. Grab that dirty clothing off the floor, collapse on your ratty couch, stuff stale cheetos in your face, and get inspired…

1. The Big Lebowski, 1998

Jeff Lebowski, known as the Dude, is a cheerful burnout whose world turns upside down when he’s mistaken for a millionaire with the same name - and finds himself in the LA underworld. The plot is frenetic, the dialogue is hilariously absurd, and the soundtrack and acting are unexpectedly stellar.

2. Clerks, 1994

Chronicling a day in the life of a Quick Stop clerk, Clerks captures the hilarity of the humdrum even as it raises slackerdom to existential proportions. From behind his counter, Dante Hicks tries to bring some order to the crazy customers, his mixed-up love life, and his incorrigible friend and fellow clerk Randal.

3. Knocked up, 2007

Lazy, immature 23-year-old Ben sporadically works on a pseudo-porn website in between smoking up with his roommates - until a one-night stand with Alison, a glamorous career woman, leads to accidental pregnancy. The parents-to-be have practically nothing in common, but they decide to keep the baby and give their relationship a chance.

4. Clerks 2, 2006

In this funny, very raunchy sequel to Clerks, it’s been more than 10 years but Dante Hicks and Randal Graves are still working at the same Quick Stop video and convenience store in New Jersey – until it burns down and they find jobs at Mooby’s, a nearby fast-food joint. The film features cameos from Jason Lee and Ben Affleck and a soundtrack ranging from Smashing Pumpkins to Alanis Morissette.

5. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, 2001

Kevin Smith’s fifth and final installment in his New Jersey Chronicles is a chance for scene-stealing stoner Jay and his taciturn sidekick Silent Bob to carry their own movie. It’s a lovingly crude comedy rife with celebrity cameos, slapstick movie spoofs, and clever jabs at Hollywood.

6. Dazed and Confused, 1993

Stoners, jocks, and snobby sorority girls wait for classes to end with drugs and parties. Richard Linklater’s movie is a comic, nostalgic cross-clique look at high school, with a painfully familiar and unforgettable cast of characters.

7. Billy Madison, 1995

To gain control of his family’s billion dollar business, a slacker must go back to school and get through grades 1-12 again in 6 months. The fact that he’s a hopeless goof who failed it all the first time doesn’t help.

8. Mallrats, 1995

When a couple of well-meaning slackers lose their girlfriends, they set about trying to reclaim their pride - and their women - in the most obvious place: the mall. The film marked Jason Lee’s debut as a leading man, and though it failed in theaters, it became a cult classic on video.

9. Big Daddy, 1999

Adam Sandler stars as Sonny Koufax, a perpetual adolescent whose girlfriend gives him an ultimatum: take some responsibility or kiss her goodbye. Magically, his roommate’s child turns up on his doorstep, and Sonny decides to care for the child and prove his maturity.

10. Slacker, 1991

Texan filmmaker Richard Linklater’s debut indie feature takes an original approach to narrative, creating an entirely new form of cinema in the process. Shot at a leisurely pace with a style similar to Robert Bresson, Slacker follows the unmotivated inhabitants of Austin, Texas over one day as they waste their time talking about politics, philosophy, and pop culture.

Want more? Search on Jinni for –
Slacker * Buddies * Stoners * Dropout * Indie * Life turned upside down

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