Academy Awards

U.S. Marine Sergeant Nathan Harris poses with his wife.

Independent Lens Standout Hell and Back Again Scores Oscar Nomination

Airing on Independent Lens in May, Danfung Dennis's haunting war documentary Hell and Back Again has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary. Also nominated is If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, which aired on POV in September. Congratulations to Danfung and to all the nominees. Well deserved! Read more >>

From the Blog

A woman and a girl from the Ponce family smile for the camera.

Announcing the Winter/Spring 2012 Season!

The winter/spring season includes recent IDA Award winners, Independent Spirit Award nominees, a duPont Award winner, and two films on the so-called “short-list” for Academy Award® nominations: Hell and Back Again, one of the most powerful documentaries ever made about war, and We Were Here, a heartfelt, heartbreaking look at the early days of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco. Read more >>

From the Blog

Activist Angela Davis sporting a large afro and orange turtleneck in a photo circa 1972.

Black History Month Comes to Independent Lens

Independent Lens announced three new films that examine the history of African American activism, each from a unique perspective, at the Television Critics Association press tour. Our TCA panel included legendary activist Angela Davis and artist Talib Kweli. Read more >>

From the Blog

A Look Back at the Anti-Apartheid Movement

Beginning with the very first session of the United Nations, and ending in 1990, Have You Heard From Johannesburg chronicles the history of the global anti-apartheid movement that took on South Africa’s entrenched apartheid regime. Filmmaker Connie Fields talks about her approach to the film and parallels with today's protest climate. More >>

YouTube? We Do!

Lee Gorewitz putting on lipstick.

Sneak Previews of Upcoming Independent Lens Films

Want to find out what’s coming to Independent Lens in the next few months? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and get previews-a-plenty! Check it out >>

Download Us

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Independent Lens is on iTunes and Amazon Video-on-Demand

Did you know that you can rent or buy many of the films you see on Independent Lens? True story. We’re on iTunes here, and on Amazon here. So fire up your laptop, tablet, e-reader, phone, or whatever doohickey you like to use. Take us with you!
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Independent Lens on Facebook

A close-up of two dolls, one dressed as a bride and the other as a groom who also has a red gash on his forehead.

Do You Like Us? Then ‘Like’ Us!

Did you know that Independent Lens has one of the most vibrant Facebook communities in the PBS family? Come join us and talk about the films, meet your fellow fans, and participate in a rich, ongoing conversation about Stuff That Matters.
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Community Cinema

Black-and-white photograph Daisy Bates with a pensive expression on her face

Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock

Rediscover a forgotten pioneer in the civil rights movement.

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Community Classroom

Rose Mapendo embracing her daughter, Nangabire, after they are reunited.

Pushing the Elephant

Free lesson plans and film modules explore long-term effects of war on women and families.

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