Independent Film Company (IFC) is an American film production and distribution company owned by AMC Networks and based in New York. It was formed as an offshoot of AMC's TV network, IFC (then known as the Independent Film Channel), and was originally named IFC Films.
It mainly distributes independent features under its own name, select foreign films, and documentaries under its Sundance Selects label, and co-distributes genre films with Shudder. It operates the IFC Center.
History
The Independent Film Channel, or IFC for short, first ventured into motion pictures in 1997 with their film distribution label, Next Wave Films.[2] The label helped fund "no-budget" movies,[2] with Christopher Nolan‘s first feature, Following, and the Academy Award-nominated documentary Sound and Fury being notable titles.[3] Next Wave Films was shut down in 2002 and folded into IFC.[3] IFC also launched a film company, IFC Productions, which set up operation in March 1997 to produce their own feature film projects.[4] In January 1999, IFC launched a film production label called Agenda 2000, which set up their own film projects, which had their world premiere on the IFC.[5]
Logo as IFC Films, used from 2000 to 2025
In September 2000, IFC launched its own feature film unit, branded IFC Films, to be headed by Bob Berney, who also served as a consultant for the launch of Newmarket Films[6] and would later be the founder of Picturehouse in 2019.[7]
IFC has several ventures in video on demand (VOD), available through cable television pay-per-view, Apple iTunes, and formerly Blockbuster's Movielink.[1] In 2002, IFC Films struck a deal with MGM Home Entertainment to release its theatrical films to home video on DVD and VHS,[8] until they along with IFC's original TV shows moved to Genius Products in 2006 as part of a deal signed by Rainbow Media.[9][8]
In 2006, IFC launched IFC First Take, combining a limited theatrical release with video on demand being available the same day. The films included would be shown at IFC owned IFC Center, as well as other theaters; Landmark Theatres were the first outside theaters announced.[10] That same year, IFC Films began distributing some films to Apple iTunes. The first batch were thirteen IFC films with nominations in the Film Independent Spirit Awards.[11] In October 2008, Arianna Bocco joined IFC, as VP of acquisitions and production, to spearhead the acquisition of 24 films a year for the IFC First Take banner, IFC’s day-and-date division.[12] That same year, IFC launched IFC Festival Direct, a platform for video on demand distribution, for films without a slated theatrical release in the United States.[13] In 2010, it was announced that IFC Films would be launching a division titled IFC Midnight, which would focus on releasing horror, sci-fi, thrillers, erotic arthouse, and action.[14]
In 2009, IFC signed home video deals with MPI Media Group, known primarily for disc releases of classic U.S. and British television titles, documentaries and a Dark Sky line of horror pics,[15] and the Criterion Collection, one of the leading boutique Blu-Ray labels.[15][16]
In 2010, IFC introduced a new tagline: "Always On. Slightly Off."[17] By 2014, the IFC network would have a major facelift, shifting its programming from independent films to comedy programs,[18][17][19] as well as phasing out the full "Independent Film Channel" name entirely.[20] Still, IFC Films kept its focus toward independent films.
In July 2018, AMC Networks reached a definitive agreement to acquire RLJ Entertainment, where AMC would pay $65 million for the remaining RLJE shares not owned by AMC or Robert L. Johnson.[23][24] The transaction was approved by RLJ Entertainment's stockholders on October 31, and AMC Networks completed the acquisition on November 1.[25][26] RLJ Entertainment became a privately owned subsidiary of AMC Networks, with Johnson and his affiliates owning a 17% stake.[24] RLJ Entertainment, as IFC Films' sister company,[27] took over home video distribution of their titles in December 2021.
In April 2022, it was announced that IFC Films had signed a Pay 1 (post-theater window) output deal with AMC+ (AMC Networks' streaming platform). Beginning in May 2022, AMC+ would launch Friday night movie night, featuring a new movie direct from theaters, every Friday, from IFC Films, IFC Midnight, RLJE Films, and Shudder.[27]
In May 2025, IFC Films, which was turning 25 years old, announced that it would rebrand their name to Independent Film Company,[28] a name that holds the IFC backronym, with its parent group renamed from AMC Networks Entertainment Group to IFC Entertainment Group.[29] Independent Film Company unveiled a new logo, alongside an on-screen logo animation featuring music composed by Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz of Beastie Boys.[30][28]
↑Press, Gregg Kilday,The Associated (October 3, 2006). "Sehring taps Bocco as vp at IFC Ent". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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