Variety has outlined the bright lights in the indie sector for 2009 and lists Summit at the head of the field with $455 million in box office totals (excluding holdovers).
Lionsgate took in $396 million followed by the Weinstein Co. with $167 million for the year. Focus Features collected $144 million. Overture Films scored $143 million and Fox Searchlight scooped up $119 million.
The scaled-back Miramax earned nearly $40 million with Sony Pictures Classics tallying $36 million.
Bob Berney‘s new shingle Apparition has collected $15.4 million since its first release (Jane Campion‘s Bright Star) in the fall.
Meanwhile, notes Variety, smaller indie distributors like IFC Films and Magnolia had their most profitable years ever thanks to a combination releasing approach.
More details at Variety.
