Modern audiences take the existence of independent cinema for granted, but in fact it’s a more recent phenomenon. Indie films emerged as an important part of American culture in the 1990s, particularly in New York City where they were often celebrated both as a place of resistance to mainstream culture.

Boston has its own tradition, thanks in part to Boston University’s own Jan Egleson, who was making fiercely independent films in Boston at least a decade prior to the indie explosion of the ’90s. 

A Boston native, Egleson thrived during this period by spotlighting several stories set right here in the city. 

“I loved [Boston] for its diversity, and the diversity of the people and the diversity of the urban setting,” Egleson said. “It was a great world to explore.”

Growing up and living in the city allowed Egleson to explore the stories of Bostonians that hadn’t been told yet.

Six of Egleson’s films will be showcased in an event at The Brattle Theatre in Cambridge from Oct. 4-6, all of which stem from his knowledge of the city.

The screening will include Egleson’s award-winning trilogy about working-class adolescents in Boston: “Billy in the Lowlands,” “The Dark End of the Street” and “The Little Sister.”

Ned Hinkle, creative director at The Brattle Theatre, said he is always looking to feature regional films. He had always been interested in showing Egleson’s work, but scheduling had never worked out until now.

“I just got really excited about doing something that would celebrate Jan’s filmmaking, both in town and out of town,” Hinkle said. “He’s had such an interesting career, and it doesn’t get talked about very much, so we’re happy to have the opportunity to highlight these six films and have him talk about his work in the industry.”

Now an associate professor of film and television at Boston University, Egleson said becoming a professor later in his career allowed him to help students understand the “nuts and bolts” of the film industry. He said he hopes students can see his work and see that independent filmmaking is possible.

“You can do it,” Egleson said. “I think that’s very important for people to see.”

Gustavo Rosa, an assistant professor of film and television, originally reached out to The Brattle to organize the screening. He said showcasing independent films is important because it creates a space for stories to be told outside mainstream media.

Rosa said Egleson’s work is “enormously inspiring,” and both he and Egleson hope to teach students that their stories are important.

“Students should say, ‘If I want to tell my story, if I want to make movies, I don’t need permission from anybody,’” said Rosa. “They should have the confidence to tell their stories no matter how meager their resources or how far from the dominant culture their stories are. We celebrate diversity now, but Jan was making films very much centered on diversity decades ago.” 

Egleson’s work shows a different side of Boston, Hinkle said. The viewers will get a chance to see the city in a different light from how it’s portrayed in mainstream productions.

“It really should be fun to see these [films] in the theater the way they were meant to be seen on the screen with an audience,” Hinkle said. “Hopefully some folks will come out and take a chance on these films.”

Egleson will be present during some of the screenings throughout the weekend to answer questions from the audience. As a filmmaker, his goal is to keep the spirit of film alive. 

“I hope that other young filmmakers will take a look at [the films] and learn a little bit about how they came to be, and maybe take away some lessons that they can use as they set out to make films,” Egleson said.