Sank independent filmmaker (7)

I believe the answer is:

fellini

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'filmmaker' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'sank independent' is the wordplay.
'sank' becomes 'fellin' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'independent' becomes 'i'.
'fellin'+'i'='FELLINI'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fellini that I've seen before include "It. film director (La Dolce Vita)" , "Shooting Italian" , "Federico --, Italian film producer" , "Federico ------- (1920-1993), Italian film director" , "Italian film-maker, d. 1993" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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