Butter the popcorn and get comfy, because there are no lineups at this indie film fest.

Instead, there is an independent film festival taking place in the universe of digital channels. The movies roll 24-7, and the seats always feel like home. For indie film fans, the Independent Film Channel could be a blockbuster hit.

"Be an insider - be independent," the channel says on its Web site. Well-known Hollywood stars blurt out the channel's name, as though life here is fun, funky and different.

"With feature films, shorts, documentaries and experimental works, IFC Canada will present a rich schedule of cutting-edge and creative films that are rewarding alternatives to Hollywood's predictable products," the channel promises.

Not only will Canadian films be shown on IFC, the channel plans to support the development and promotion of new talent from across the country. Through IFC programming, film makers and film fans can learn about the art and science of filmmaking in Canada.

That's what being independent is all about - leaving the ordinary behind. And in the world of celluloid, this means staying away from multibillion-dollar productions in favour of leaping into the underworld of cinematography.

"Obviously, there's a niche audience - those who make films, those who are independent-film buffs," said Deborah Carver, IFC's general manager and vice-president of marketing.

"But we're also hoping to attract those who just love movies. I think a lot of Canadians don't think about independent films. Rather, they just think about what's American - and what's not.

IFC invites its viewers to Escape from Hollywood on Saturday and Sunday nights. While the series showcases an array of work from the biggest titles of independent cinema, "it's not about mainstream movie making," IFC promises, pledging to roll up the red carpet "in favour of independent films with texture and character."

IFC's strength is its content, Ms. Carver says. Fresh to the television screen, these are films that haven't been recycled, and many have been screened only at smaller film festivals.

The channel, partnered with Salter Street films, is be run out of Halifax, which lends to a different perspective when it comes to programming, Ms. Carver says.

"I think the perspective we have could be compared to the independent film maker's perspective versus Hollywood," she said.

Ever wonder about the origins of indie film? Or perhaps you just don't get why independent film makers are so close to their craft. Friday nights are Manifesto nights, with producers digging into the vaults of indie films to air a "gem that defines independent film."

"We want to become a place for independent film makers to come," Ms. Carver said. "This may be an opportunity for their work to be seen, as well as a place to learn." While 60 per cent of the channel's content under CRTC regulations is feature films, the other 40 per cent will be taken up by documentaries, short films and magazine shows.

Canada's first independent film channel isn't stuck on Canadian films. Planet IFC looks at independent film makers from around the world.

During the weekday, IFC airs its Marquee Movie, inviting viewers to play hooky from work, stating proudly that "independent film is not just for after dark any more."

On weekends, stay indoors, take off your shoes, close the curtains and follow IFC along the Trans-Canada Highway as it focuses on the country's independent film history.

Forget Monday night football. Every Monday, IFC will showcase films that take on a theme; be it the best in martial-arts films, digital features, first features or anime.

Wake up, grab a bowl of cereal and catch a documentary on IFC in its Doc Yard series. Some of IFC's documentaries will look at filmmaking, be it the director, the muse, the vision, the production or the actors.

Even the toughest, bravest viewer will grow uneasy watching the Indie Screams series, IFC promises. The feature documentary The American Nightmare is the centre point for this horror film fest shown on IFC at various times.

Indie Rocks offers viewers movies with a different beat, that demonstrate the effects of music and musicians on film.

But perhaps the hottest films shown on IFC are part of its Indie Sex series. The feature documentary Taboos follows the evolution of sex and erotica in the indie film world, while IFC will include eye-popping films such as David Cronenberg's Crash, John Waters's Pink Flamingos and Patricia Rosema's When Night Is Falling.

Reality TV meets independent film in IFC's Indie Truth series, as filmmakers such as Michael Moore, Errol Morris, Ron Mann and Barbara Kopple take their cameras where big-budget move studios and network newscasts don't go.

Other features include F3, a special that takes viewers to film festivals around the world, Scene By Scene, Toronto film sage Cameron Bailey takes viewers inside the craft of filmmaking, interviewing a different film maker on each show. Together they discuss theme, style and perspective and deconstruct scenes from the director's work.