In this article, author E.Deidre Pribram offers a nuanced discussion of privilege, representation, diversity and marginalization within the independent film circuit, which she identifies as an institution. Her main goals in this piece is to discuss "the institutionalized and privileged nature of the independent film industry and second, the differing needs...of various marginalized groups" (3). Her specific concern is with the problematics women filmmakers have in 'making it', and asks questions regarding both the lack of qualitative discourse surrounding women's films and the privileges granted to the hegemony of acceptable/'successful' film stories and practices.