I feel like someone just kicked one of my dogs.

Miramax Films, one of the most notable supporters of independent films, has shut its doors today. Founded in 1979 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Miramax became synonymous with quality independent films.  It was sold to the Walt Disney Company in 1993, but was still helmed by the Weinsteins through 2005.

While you may not instantly recognize the name, believe me that you know its films.  Here is just a brief list of some of its most notable releases, you can see the rest here:

• Clerks
• Gangs of New York
• No Country For Old Men
• Pulp Fiction
• The Scary Movie series
• Scream series
• Shakespeare in Love
• Sin City
• Spy Kids series
• There Will Be Blood

This but a taste of what Miramax has helped bring to the local theaters, and with Miramax gone, there is a huge void in the film studio system.  Where smaller films will go now is unknown, and films that other studios have passed on that went on to great success may never have been given the chance without them.

Disney has said it would be willing to sell the brand … for $1.5 billion.  The odds of anyone coughing that up are slim-to-none.

Kevin Smith, who’s first film Clerks was released via Miramax, has blogged on the company’s demise.

So long, Miramax, you will be missed.