While blockbuster studio films slumped at the box office this summer, a number of indie films performed much better than expected, highlighting the continuing rise of independent film-making and moviegoers’ willingness to give these films a chance.

“The Big Sick,” released June 23, is a romantic comedy based on the true love story of Pakistani-American actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily Gordon. It blew box offices away with it’s extended run this summer, attracting varied audiences to the theater weekend after weekend. Star-studded crime drama “Logan Lucky,” released Aug. 18, continues to sell tickets, and “Home Again,” released Sept. 8, saw the second highest box office numbers that weekend, according to Box Office Mojo.

Indie films have also been garnering significant attention from critics. “The Big Sick” was the most positively reviewed film of the summer and clocked in at a 98 percent, according to critic aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes. Another independent film seeing success is “Get Out,” released Feb. 24. The film is currently the fourth highest ranked film of all time on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Get Out” was written, directed and co-produced by Jordan Peele of Comedy Central duo “Key and Peele.” It was produced on a budget of $4.5 million and was massively successful at the box office, grossing a total of $252.4 million worldwide according to IMDB.

Senior communications major Andrew Roberts said “Get Out” set itself apart from standard big picture horror movies by building a plot which drew in audiences.

“The cool thing about ‘Get Out’ was it used actual mounting tension,” Roberts said. “The imagery felt authentic; everything was building to those truly frightening moments.”

However, the trend in rising popularity for indie films isn’t new as they have been seeing success at award shows as well.“Manchester by the Sea,” released Nov. 18, 2016, was up for six nominations at the Oscars, winning two. “Moonlight,” another independent film, was released Oct. 21, 2016, and was nominated in eight categories, winning three.

NIU Alumnus Kevin Mukherji, Class of 1985, has been working in the film industry for over 30 years and has worked with some of the most famous directors in Hollywood, including Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood. Recently, he has transitioned to making his own films, and his current project is a documentary on animal welfare called “We Are One.” He said it is a great time to be an independent filmmaker because of the opportunities available.

“Things are changing quite a bit, even multi-million dollar movies are going to streaming services like Amazon or Netflix,” Mukherji said. “More movies can be seen, and more movies are getting distributed than ever before.”

Mukherji said there are more opportunities for independent filmmakers, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easier to succeed in the market. Many independent filmmakers will submit their films into dozens of festivals before getting picked up by a production company.

“You have to be very careful [because] a lot of distributors will rip you off,” Mukherji said. “You spend years working on a movie, and you’re almost better off releasing [films] yourself because they won’t care for it very well.”

“The Big Sick,” debuted at the Sundance Festival this year, was purchased for $12 million in the second largest deal at the prestigious festival that year. Its debut made more money, per theater, during its limited release than any other film this year, according to IMDB.

“Most filmmakers just want their films to be seen,” Mukherji said.

Being a self-financed filmmaker, Mukherji said he is allowed to make the films he wants and said independent films are more true to a filmmaker’s vision. He said there are checks and balances in place, but they come from a filmmaker’s peers and audience screenings, not production companies. Senior communications major Carissa Hartwig said she also sees indie films as being truer to the filmmaker’s vision because indie films feel more honest.

“‘The Big Sick’ wasn’t made to fit the normal rom-com storyline,” Hartwig said. “It didn’t talk down to us or try to be something it’s not. It just told us [a] crazy love story.”