definition of independent film

An independent film (or indie film) is a film
produced without the support of a major movie studio
or a big budget. Creative, business, and technological reasons
have all contributed to the growth of the indie film scene
in the late 20th and early 21st century.

further information:
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Independent_film

and i found one article about 'how you define an independent film?'
How do you define an independent film?
– Lee Myers
via imdb
Classically, an independent film was one that was made
outside of the conventional studio system, be that Hollywood,
Bollywood or Pinewood. But with the rise of the “independent”
labels of the major studios, such as Fox Searchlight and
Paramount Vantage, that distinction is pretty much moot.
Also, consider that the last three Star Wars epics were made
independently (by Mr. George Lucas). Any movie with fast-food
tie-ins really shouldn’t qualify, in my opinion.
I’d argue that the term “independent film” should be reserved
for talking about the movie itself, rather than how it was financed.¹
There’s a reason the word “independence” so often shows up in
proximity to “revolution” — a shared spirit of frustration,
anarchy and apple-cart-upsetting. From their conception,
independent films aren’t just made outside of the studio system.
They are made in opposition to the studio system,
with its relentless need to round off the corners and soften the blows.
And in standing against the status quo, independent films help to change it.²
Of course, my proposed redefinition of independent film can’t
accommodate many of today’s darling indies, which mollycoddle
their audiences with a careful recipe of quirk, warmth and
family dysfunction.³ Just the very term “indie” seems to embody
that spirit of fuzzy cuteness. I would call on filmmakers to
start feeding their movies after midnight, and let their vicious little monsters roar.

further information:
http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/what-is-indie