When is a traditional theatrical window still the right call for an indie in 2026?

Hey everyone,

I'm currently prepping for a narrative feature shoot next spring (a gritty, character-driven drama) and trying to wrap my head around distribution. We've got pretty ambitious cinematic goals; think tight, handheld operating with my AMIRA, maybe some wider, more composed stuff on an ALEXA Mini LF if we can stretch the budget. My director is really visual, leaning towards a very specific look that would pop on a big screen. We're aiming for a festival run, of course, but after that, I'm genuinely scratching my head.

I've seen so much discussion lately, and read a fair amount, that pretty much writes off theatrical for most indies now, pushing towards streaming first. But I can't shake the feeling there have to be exceptions. What are the specific scenarios, if any, where sticking to a traditional theatrical window might still be the most strategic move for an independent film in 2026? I'm talking actual, tangible benefits that outweigh the general wisdom of going straight to digital.