This year has seen the passing of cinema legends who shaped the modern film scene and embody the indie film spirit.
In January this year indie filmmaking lost a trailblazer in powerful celluloid storytelling – David Lynch. Without a doubt Lynch is considered one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. To say his films are often characterized by a distinctive surrealist sensibility would be an understatement. His surrealism was so distinct as to cross genres that cinephiles had little choice but to identify his style as “Lynchian”. His passing left a void in the world of indie film making and became the catalyst of loss and legacy for 2025.
Hollywood legends such as Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, and Diane Keaton feature on this celebration alongside indie talents Wings Hauser, Sally Kirkland and Diane Ladd. They do so because all of them all the way to Rob Reiner embodied the spirit of and championed indie film. Their passing leaves behind some powerful legacies that continue to influence cinema today.
Here is Cine Bijou’s memorial tribute to the greats of cinema we lost in 2025.
What do you think of our montage of cinematic legends? Did we miss anyone out? Whose passing impacted you the most and why? Let us know in the comments or you can leave a comment on Youtube and on social media – Bluesky, Instagram, and Threads