Warner Independent Pictures was an independent film division of the American film studio Warner Bros.. Established on August 7, 2003, its first release was 2004's Before Sunset, the sequel to the 1995 film Before Sunrise. The division financed, produced, acquired and distributed feature films largely budgeted under $20 million. The division closed on November 12, 2008.
History Warner Independent Pictures was established on August 7, 2003, at Burbank, California. Mark Gill was the division's first president. After a controversial departure, Gill was replaced by former Warner Bros. production executive Polly Cohen, who served as president of this division until fall 2008, when the division was officially shut down. While well versed in big-budget motion picture production, it was widely believed Cohen did not have strong enough backgrounds in independent film, or in the marketing/publicity aspects of film distribution, to hold that role. This led to a lackluster slate and output, after a successful initial run under Gill.
In February 2008, Time Warner announced that it would merge New Line Cinema into Warner Bros. New Line's "independent" group Picturehouse was expected to be merged into Warner Independent as part of this process. On May 8, 2008, however, it was announced that both of these specialty divisions would be shut down.
In 2013, Picturehouse was relaunched under separate ownership.
In December 2025, Warner Bros. would re-enter the independent filmmaking space, with former Neon executives Christian Parkes, Jason Wald, and Spencer Collantes spearheading the creation of a new specialty label within the studio. At the 2026 CinemaCon in April 2026, the label's name was revealed to be Warner Bros. Clockwork, with Sean Baker's Ti Amo! announced as its maiden release.
Films
Title Release date Notes Before Sunset July 2, 2004 co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment; international distribution by Warner Bros. Pictures A Home at the End of the World July 23, 2004 co-production with Hart-Sharp Entertainment We Don't Live Here AnymoreCurrently owned by Samuel Goldwyn Films August 13, 2004 North American, U.K. and Irish distribution only; produced by Front Street Pictures; rights licensed to Redbus Film Distribution for the U.K. and Ireland Criminal September 10, 2004 Around the Bend October 8, 2004 A Very Long Engagement December 17, 2004 North American distribution only; distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures The Jacket March 4, 2005 North American, U.K., Irish and Filipino distribution only; co-production with Mandalay Pictures Eros April 8, 2005 North American distribution only March of the Penguins July 22, 2005 multiple award winner, including an Academy Award for Best Documentary FeatureU.S., U.K. and Irish distribution with National Geographic Films only; produced by Bonne Pioche Everything Is Illuminated September 16, 2005 co-production with Big Beach Good Night, and Good Luck October 14, 2005 multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture U.S. distribution only; produced by 2929 Entertainment, Participant Productions and Section Eight Paradise Now October 28, 2005 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Filmnominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language FilmNorth American, U.K. and Irish distribution only Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World January 20, 2006 North American distribution only; produced by Shangri-La Entertainment Duck Season March 10, 2006 North American co-distribution with Esperanto Filmoj only The Promise May 5, 2006 North American distribution only; also distributed in Germany and Austria by Warner Bros. Pictures A Scanner Darkly July 7, 2006 co-production with Thousand Words and Section Eight The Science of Sleep September 22, 2006 North American, U.K. and Irish distribution only; produced by Gaumont, France 3 Cinéma and Canal+ Infamous October 13, 2006 North American, U.K. and Irish distribution only; international rights licensed to Arclight Films For Your Consideration November 22, 2006 North American, U.K. and Irish distribution only; co-production with Castle Rock Entertainment and Shangri-La Entertainment; international rights licensed to Fortissimo Films The Painted Veil January 19, 2007 North American distribution only; co-production with Bob Yari Productions and The Mark Gordon Company The Astronaut Farmer February 23, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Polish Brothers Construction and Spring Creek Pictures In the Land of Women April 20, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and Anonymous Content Introducing the Dwights August 3, 2007 North American, U.K., Irish, German and Austrian distribution only; known as Clubland in Australia The 11th Hour August 17, 2007 distribution only December BoysCo-owned by Alcon Entertainment September 14, 2007 distribution outside Australia and New Zealand only; produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Film Finance Corporation Australia In the Valley of Elah September 28, 2007 North American distribution only; co-production with Summit Entertainment, NALA Films, Samuels Media and Blackfriars Bridge; also distributed in France by Warner Bros. Pictures Rails & Ties October 26, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Malpaso Productions Darfur Now November 2, 2007 co-production with Participant Productions Mama's Boy December 21, 2007 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Carr/Santelli Productions Snow Angels March 7, 2008 distribution outside Latin America, Spain and select other territories only; produced by Crossroads Films Funny Games March 14, 2008 U.S., Australian, New Zealand and Spanish distribution only; co-production with Tartan Films, Celluloid Dreams and FilmFour; co-distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment Chaos Theory April 11, 2008 original distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; produced by Castle Rock Entertainment and Lone Star Film Group Towelhead September 26, 2008 North American and Russian distribution with Red Envelope Entertainment (uncredited) only; produced by Indian Paintbrush, This is that Corporation and Your Face Goes Here Productions Slumdog Millionaire November 12, 2008 multiple award winner, including an Academy Award for Best Pictureoriginal distributor; ultimately distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and Fox Searchlight Pictures; produced by Pathé, Celador Films and FilmFour
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