Among the many action films, cookie-cutter romantic comedies and questionable horror films, one name can give hope to even the most discouraged viewers: A24. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Founded just in 2012 by David Fenkel, John Hodges, and Daniel Katz, A24 is responsible for delivering one critically acclaimed hit after another, 24 of which were Oscar nominees. The vibrant and thrilling Florida Project, the engaging, endlessly shocking Hereditary and the wonderfully ridiculous Swiss Army Man, A24 is behind all of these releases. Despite its undeniably enviable track record of various first-class productions, A24 began as and still remains a distributor of independent films. 'Indie' – short for 'independent cinema' refers to a production not affiliated with major film studios. Independent films were born out of the restrictions and need to work with limited resources in the post-World War II era. The destruction of studio space and lack of funding led to a new, gritty and realistic type of film. Although independent cinema has undergone many metamorphoses since then, the reason why many people continue to return to independent cinema has remained the same. Authenticity, something many Hollywood productions lack, is what draws audiences to the genre. Now more than ever people are willing to discuss topics that major studios simply don't feel comfortable exploring. Young people, in particular, are increasingly turning to independent films. Youth is the age in which the expression of one's individuality, the need to rebel and belong reign supreme over everything else. The problem is that the mainstream media rarely manages to paint a recognizable picture of this. Hollywood's portrayal of youth often gives off the same feeling one might get from reading a second-rate teen magazine. Sweet, sappy love stories, high schools populated by walking stereotypes and petty drama, nothing like what any of us experience in our adolescence. Youth is a world of messy rooms, messy hair, and messy relationships – things that simply have no place in major studio productions. Rarely deviating from fail-proof cinematic formulas, Hollywood executives fail to recognize a simple truth: Unbridled artistic vision is what creates true masterpieces. A24's Lady Bird, the studio's biggest hit yet, is a testament to this. A teen comedy at its core, it accomplishes what mainstream coming-of-age films have been unable to do for a long time, a genuine, unmasked portrait of teenage life. A character full of contradictions, Lady Bird resonates with many of us. His need to conform and assert his individuality, his love and frustration with his hometown, this confusing world of polar opposites is what adolescence is all about. Independent films target and engage young audiences and are gaining more recognition today than ever. Independent productions have cemented their place as a commercially successful genre, and it doesn't look like the fascination with independent cinema will fade anytime soon. Alternative cinema is on the rise with A24's quirky and interesting creations at the heart of this exciting cultural phenomenon.