Airing weekly on PBS, the five-time Emmy Award-winning series Independent Lens is an independent film festival in your living room. Each week we bring you another original documentary film, each made by one of the best independent filmmakers working today.
This season, Independent Lens returns with 22 independent films that will transport you and challenge you to experience universal human themes from unique perspectives. We will delve into issues emerging from the economic crisis in America, from job loss to wealth disparity; examine the origins of soul food, its importance in African American culture, and its serious health implications; we will examine a military culture in which female soldiers are sexually assaulted at a terrifying rate, and their attackers often left unpunished; we
This season, Independent Lens returns with 22 independent films that will transport you and challenge you to experience universal human themes from unique perspectives. We will delve into issues emerging from the economic crisis in America, from job loss to wealth disparity; examine the origins of soul food, its importance in African American culture, and its serious health implications; we will examine a military culture in which female soldiers are sexually assaulted at a terrifying rate, and their attackers often left unpunished; we
Latest Articles About Independent Lens on PBS
Award-Winning Film THE BAD KIDS Premieres on PBS 3/20
by BWW News Desk - March 20, 2017
Winner of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award for Vérité Filmmaking,The Bad Kids premieres on Independent Lens Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:00-11:30 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS....
by BWW News Desk - March 20, 2017
Winner of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award for Vérité Filmmaking,The Bad Kids premieres on Independent Lens Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:00-11:30 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS....
Documentary 'The Last Laugh' Premieres on PBS's INDEPENDENT LENS, 4/24
by Caryn Robbins - March 17, 2017
The Last Laugh is a documentary based on the premise that the Holocaust would seem to be an absolutely off-limits topic for comedy. But is it?...
by Caryn Robbins - March 17, 2017
The Last Laugh is a documentary based on the premise that the Holocaust would seem to be an absolutely off-limits topic for comedy. But is it?...
PBS/Independent Lens to Air Acclaimed Documentary NEWTOWN, 4/3
by Caryn Robbins - February 28, 2017
On December 14, 2012, a disturbed young man committed a horrific mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that took the lives of 20 elementary school children and six educators....
by Caryn Robbins - February 28, 2017
On December 14, 2012, a disturbed young man committed a horrific mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that took the lives of 20 elementary school children and six educators....
Award-Winning Film THE BAD KIDS Premieres on PBS 3/20
by Caryn Robbins - February 21, 2017
Winner of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award for Vérité Filmmaking,The Bad Kids premieres on Independent Lens Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:00-11:30 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS....
by Caryn Robbins - February 21, 2017
Winner of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award for Vérité Filmmaking,The Bad Kids premieres on Independent Lens Monday, March 20, 2017, 10:00-11:30 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS....
Sneak Peek - TOWER Premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS on PBS, Today
by BWW News Desk - February 14, 2017
Directed by Keith Maitland, the film premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS Today, February 14, 2017, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS....
by BWW News Desk - February 14, 2017
Directed by Keith Maitland, the film premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS Today, February 14, 2017, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS....
Sneak Peek - TOWER Premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS on PBS, 2/14
by Caryn Robbins - January 30, 2017
Directed by Keith Maitland, the film premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS....
by Caryn Robbins - January 30, 2017
Directed by Keith Maitland, the film premieres on INDEPENDENT LENS Tuesday, February 14, 2017, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS....
Filmrise Acquires Exclusive Worldwide Distribution Rights to SUPERGIRL
by Caryn Robbins - January 23, 2017
FilmRise on Friday announced its acquirement of the exclusive worldwide rights to SUPERGIRL. The film will screen at Slamdance 2017 tomorrow, Saturday, January 21st and Tuesday, January 24th....
by Caryn Robbins - January 23, 2017
FilmRise on Friday announced its acquirement of the exclusive worldwide rights to SUPERGIRL. The film will screen at Slamdance 2017 tomorrow, Saturday, January 21st and Tuesday, January 24th....
PBS Announces Highlights of Black History Month Programming
by Caryn Robbins - January 17, 2017
To honor Black History Month, and as part of its commitment to celebrate the diversity of America year-round, PBS kicks off a new year with documentaries and specials that highlight the African-American experience...
by Caryn Robbins - January 17, 2017
To honor Black History Month, and as part of its commitment to celebrate the diversity of America year-round, PBS kicks off a new year with documentaries and specials that highlight the African-American experience...
Remembering MLK Jr. & More on Tonight's MetroFocus on THIRTEEN
by Caryn Robbins - January 13, 2017
The award-winning series MetroFocus premieres new episodes in the New York and tri-state region weeknights at 5 p.m. on WLIW21, 5:30 p.m. on NJTV and 6 p.m. on THIRTEEN. All episodes are available at metrofocus.org following the broadcast....
by Caryn Robbins - January 13, 2017
The award-winning series MetroFocus premieres new episodes in the New York and tri-state region weeknights at 5 p.m. on WLIW21, 5:30 p.m. on NJTV and 6 p.m. on THIRTEEN. All episodes are available at metrofocus.org following the broadcast....
Meet the Real 'Mad Men' on Tonight's MetroFocus on THIRTEEN
by Caryn Robbins - January 06, 2017
The award-winning series MetroFocus premieres new episodes in the New York and tri-state region weeknights at 5 p.m. on WLIW21, 5:30 p.m. on NJTV and 6 p.m. on THIRTEEN. All episodes are available at metrofocus.org following the broadcast....
by Caryn Robbins - January 06, 2017
The award-winning series MetroFocus premieres new episodes in the New York and tri-state region weeknights at 5 p.m. on WLIW21, 5:30 p.m. on NJTV and 6 p.m. on THIRTEEN. All episodes are available at metrofocus.org following the broadcast....
PBS Loos at Past and Present of Nuclear World with Special Programming
by Caryn Robbins - December 22, 2016
How can we safely contain some of the deadliest, most long-lasting substances on earth? What happens when weapons built to deter slip from our control? And why is a simple rock-uranium- the most powerful substance on Earth?...
by Caryn Robbins - December 22, 2016
How can we safely contain some of the deadliest, most long-lasting substances on earth? What happens when weapons built to deter slip from our control? And why is a simple rock-uranium- the most powerful substance on Earth?...
Documentary NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU to Premiere on PBS, Today
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2016
The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, AMERICAN MASTERS --NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU, premieres nationwide Today, October 25...
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2016
The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, AMERICAN MASTERS --NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU, premieres nationwide Today, October 25...
PBS's AMERICAN MASTERS Present Documentary 'Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You', Today
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2016
Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom....
by BWW News Desk - October 25, 2016
Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom....
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA Among Nominees for 26th Annual GOTHAM AWARDS; Full List
by Caryn Robbins - October 20, 2016
Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester By The Sea, Barry Jenkins' Moonlight, Kelly Reichardt's Certain Women, Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!! and Jim Jarmusch's Paterson are among the IFP Gotham Awards nominees announced today....
by Caryn Robbins - October 20, 2016
Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester By The Sea, Barry Jenkins' Moonlight, Kelly Reichardt's Certain Women, Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!! and Jim Jarmusch's Paterson are among the IFP Gotham Awards nominees announced today....
PBS's AMERICAN MASTERS Present Documentary 'Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You', 10/25
by Caryn Robbins - October 05, 2016
Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom....
by Caryn Robbins - October 05, 2016
Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom....
Documentary NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU to Premiere on PBS, 10/25
by Caryn Robbins - September 13, 2016
The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, AMERICAN MASTERS --NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU, premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25...
by Caryn Robbins - September 13, 2016
The first documentary about the 94-year-old television legend, AMERICAN MASTERS --NORMAN LEAR: JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF YOU, premieres nationwide Tuesday, October 25...
GREASE:LIVE Tops 2016 Creative Emmy Awards; Check Out Tonight's Full List of Winners!
by Caryn Robbins - September 11, 2016
The Television Academy tonight presented Part 2 of its two 2016 Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies for programs and individual achievements at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles....
by Caryn Robbins - September 11, 2016
The Television Academy tonight presented Part 2 of its two 2016 Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies for programs and individual achievements at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles....
PBS Debuts GOLD STAR Video for PBS Online Film Festival
by Caryn Robbins - July 11, 2016
The PBS Online Film Festival showcases powerful and engaging stories from filmmakers across the country. The festival has become a popular annual online event, attracting more than 1.5 million video streams over the first four years, as well as nominations in the Webby Awards....
by Caryn Robbins - July 11, 2016
The PBS Online Film Festival showcases powerful and engaging stories from filmmakers across the country. The festival has become a popular annual online event, attracting more than 1.5 million video streams over the first four years, as well as nominations in the Webby Awards....
Fifth Annual PBS Online Film Festival to Include 25 Independent Short Films
by Caryn Robbins - July 01, 2016
PBS announced that the PBS Online Film Festival will return for a fifth year on July 11-29, 2016, and will feature 25 short-form independent films from a broad spectrum of public media stations and partners....
by Caryn Robbins - July 01, 2016
PBS announced that the PBS Online Film Festival will return for a fifth year on July 11-29, 2016, and will feature 25 short-form independent films from a broad spectrum of public media stations and partners....
Acclaimed Boxing Documentary T-REX to Premiere on PBS This August
by Caryn Robbins - June 27, 2016
ZCDC and The Film Collaborative are honored to announce the VOD release of the acclaimed boxing documentary T-REX....
by Caryn Robbins - June 27, 2016
ZCDC and The Film Collaborative are honored to announce the VOD release of the acclaimed boxing documentary T-REX....
Sundance Institute Sets Projects for Screenwriters Lab, Documentary Edit and Story Labs & New Theatre-Makers Residency
by Tyler Peterson - June 08, 2016
Sundance Institute has selected 25 projects to participate in its Screenwriters Lab, Documentary Edit and Story Labs and new Theatre-Makers Residency, which will take place concurrently this summer in the mountains of the Sundance Resort in Utah. The confluence of these three artist development prog...
by Tyler Peterson - June 08, 2016
Sundance Institute has selected 25 projects to participate in its Screenwriters Lab, Documentary Edit and Story Labs and new Theatre-Makers Residency, which will take place concurrently this summer in the mountains of the Sundance Resort in Utah. The confluence of these three artist development prog...
Award-Winning Documentary T-REX Available Now on Vimeo on Demand
by Caryn Robbins - June 01, 2016
ZCDC and The Film Collaborative are honored to announce the long-awaited theatrical release of the award-winning documentary T-REX....
by Caryn Robbins - June 01, 2016
ZCDC and The Film Collaborative are honored to announce the long-awaited theatrical release of the award-winning documentary T-REX....
Sundance Institute Names First-Time Filmmakers for Directors Lab
by Tyler Peterson - May 05, 2016
Sundance Institute has selected eight first-time filmmakers for its signature Directors Lab, which helped launch the careers of award-winning filmmakers Cary Fukunaga, Dee Rees, Marielle Heller, Benh Zeitlin and Quentin Tarantino. Taking place May 30-June 23 in the mountains of Sundance Resort in Ut...
by Tyler Peterson - May 05, 2016
Sundance Institute has selected eight first-time filmmakers for its signature Directors Lab, which helped launch the careers of award-winning filmmakers Cary Fukunaga, Dee Rees, Marielle Heller, Benh Zeitlin and Quentin Tarantino. Taking place May 30-June 23 in the mountains of Sundance Resort in Ut...
Arts Alliance Luncheon to Honor James & Kay Mabie in June
by Tyler Peterson - May 04, 2016
The fourth annual Arts Alliance Illinois Voices of a Creative State benefit luncheon will take place Friday, June 10, 2016 at Fairmont Chicago (200 N. Columbus Dr.). The luncheon will feature a discussion highlighting the life-altering impact of the arts as a catalyst for social change, addressing u...
by Tyler Peterson - May 04, 2016
The fourth annual Arts Alliance Illinois Voices of a Creative State benefit luncheon will take place Friday, June 10, 2016 at Fairmont Chicago (200 N. Columbus Dr.). The luncheon will feature a discussion highlighting the life-altering impact of the arts as a catalyst for social change, addressing u...
Election Coverage, New & Returning Drama Series & Olympic-Themed Specials Set for PBS Summer Programming
by Caryn Robbins - April 28, 2016
The PBS summer schedule offers comprehensive election coverage, as well as specially themed programs around the 31st Olympiad in August 2016....
by Caryn Robbins - April 28, 2016
The PBS summer schedule offers comprehensive election coverage, as well as specially themed programs around the 31st Olympiad in August 2016....
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