Lovers of independent film know that finding the best is often challenging. True independents and foreign films are often only accessible in big city markets and in many places are squeezed out of exhibition altogether in favor of the Hollywood blockbuster and the more commercially viable offerings. Together, rising marketing costs and a lack of venues conspire to keep material from reaching the audiences who will appreciate it the most.

Film Movement has responded to this situation by offering a first of its kind DVD subscription service catering specifically to this market. For a yearly fee, subscribers receive a monthly DVD (to own — the film is the subscriber's to keep) selected from among current offerings by Film Movement's board of curators. In addition to the feature film, each DVD contains a short, as well as extra content such as directors' commentary and trailers. In addition to the monthly selection, subscribers have the opportunity to purchase other films from Film Movement's catalog at a deep discount.

Launched in 2003 and based in New York City, Film Movement is a full-service North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films. The company has released more than 100 feature films and shorts from 27 countries on six continents, including top prize winners from Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Berlin, Tribeca and other festivals. Film Movement releases its films through many different distribution channels including theatrical, non-theatrical, home video, and television outlets (such as Sundance Channel, IFC, and Showtime).

In order to bring your attention to Film Movement's current promotion of annual memberships and gift memberships, Film Movement and BC Magazine are teaming up to give lovers of independent cinema an opportunity to win a prize package consisting of five DVDs from Film Movement's catalog. Each prize package will contain the following DVDs:

• Wilby Wonderful, starring Juno’s Ellen Page and Sandra Oh (Canada)
• The Rage in Placid Lake, starring Ben Lee and Miranda Richardson (Australia)
• Mother of Mine (Finland/Sweden)
• The Bothersome Man (Norway)
• The Way I Spent the End of the World, executive producers Martin Scorsese and Wim Wenders (Romania)

• Entries must be received by January 15, 2008.
• Five winners will be randomly selected after January 15, 2008 and will be notified by email and here in the comments section.
• One winning entry per household.
  
• Contest is open to U.S. residents only.