Director Kevin Smith isapparently certain that Miramax will be able to find a distributor whowill be brave enough to handle his satiricalmovie about the Catholic Church, Dogma (1999). As reported in today’s Toronto Star, Smith is”cockily stating” that Dogma will premiere at the prestigious CannesInternational film Festival in May, eventhough an announcement of the Festival’s schedule will not be made foranother two weeks. Moreover, he’salready posted pictures of Dogma posters on his Web site, reading”October, 1999.” In the meantime theStar observed, Miramax is being taken to task by fans of indie films forits decision not to defend Dogmaagainst the suits at Disney, with some suggesting that the whole affairmay represent the death knell forindependent filmmaking. Last week, Miramax said that it would buy Dogma back from Disney and thenattempt to sell it to another distributor in a maneuver to isolateDisney from any further controversy overthe film. Meanwhile, Smith has told the New York Post that ABC is considering giving thepost-Super Bowl time slot next year to his animated sitcom Clerks, basedon his 1994 indie hit. “But it’s notconfirmed yet,” Smith added.