View a list of select awards and nominations for Independent Lens programs below. George Foster Peabody Award KING CORN by Aaron Woolf, Curt Ellis and Ian Cheney (2009) MAPPING STEM CELL RESEARCH: Terra Incognita by Maria Finitzo (2009) SISTERS IN LAW by Kim Longinotto and Florence Ayisi (2008) BILLY STRAYHORN: LUSH LIFE by Robert Levi (2008) STILL LIFE WITH ANIMATED DOGS by Paul Fierlinger (2001) duPont-Columbia University Award ABDUCTION: The Megumi Yokota Story by Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim (2008) DuPont-Columbia Broadcast Journalism Award SEOUL TRAIN by Jim Butterworth and Lisa Sleeth (2006) International Emmy Awards PLEASE VOTE FOR ME by Weijun Chen Best Documentary Nomination (2008) Emmy Awards BILLY STRAYHORN: Lush Life by Robert Levi - Best Documentary (2008) A LION IN THE HOUSE by Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar - Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking (2007) A LION'S TRAIL by Francois Verster, Mark J. Kaplan and Dan Jawitz - Outstanding Cultural and Artistic Programming (2006) BE GOOD, SMILE PRETTY by Tracy Droz Tragos - Best Documentary (2004) SING FASTER: THE STAGEHANDS’ RING CYCLE by Jon Else - Best Documentary (2000) Emmy Nominations CHICAGO 10 by Brett Morgen Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Graphic Design and Art Direction (2009) HARD ROAD HOME by Macky Alston Outstanding Informational Programming (2009) SENTENCED HOME by David Grabias and Nicole Newnham Outstanding Informational Programming (2008) A TOUCH OF GREATNESS by Leslie Sullivan and Catherine Gund - Best Documentary (2006) AFGHANISTAN UNVEILED by AINA Productions and Brigitte Brault - Best Documentary (2005) THE DAY MY GOD DIED by Andrew Levine - Best Documentary (2005) DADDY & PAPA by Johnny Symons - Best Documentary (2004) Academy Award Nomination ENRON: The Smartest Guys in the Room by Alex Gibney - Best Documentary (2006) THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND by Sam Green and Bill Siegel - Best Documentary (2004) WHY CAN'T WE BE A FAMILY AGAIN by Roger Weisberg and Murray Nossel - Best Documentary Short (2002) Nashville Film Festival GARBAGE DREAMS by Mai Iskander Ð Al Gore Reel Current Award (2009) International Documentary Association (IDA) Awards THE NEW AMERICANS by Kartemquin Films – Limited Series Award (2003) IMELDA by Ramona Diaz – IDA/ABC News Video Source Award (2003) CINE Golden Eagle Award MIRROR DANCE by Frances McElroy and Maria T. Rodriguez (2005) BE GOOD, SMILE PRETTY by Tracy Droz Tragos (2004) Sundance Film Festival Awards BROTHER TO BROTHER by Rodney Evans – Special Jury Prize, Drama (2004) IMELDA by Ramona Diaz, Cinematographer: Ferne Pearlstein – Excellence in Cinematography Award, Documentary (2004) SING FASTER: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle by Jon Else - Filmmaker's Trophy (1999) Slamdance Film Festival THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN by Taggart Siegel and Teri Lang – Audience Sparky Award, Best Documentary (2005) Vietnam Veterans of America President’s Award for Excellence in Documentary Film. BE GOOD, SMILE PRETTY by Tracy Droz Tragos (2003) Al Gore Reel Current Special Documentary THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN by Taggart Siegel and Teri Lang (2005)

Critics and audiences alike, have great things to say about Independent Lens. Here’s a sampling:

"Independent Lens is public television's equivalent of This American Life, a completely freeform program with no apparent rules for what passes. Lens airs a decidedly brilliant mix of drama, documentary, even comedy, and provides an imaginative array of unusual, unknown and immensely engaging stories.”
—“Best 24 Hours on Television,” Paste Magazine

"Watching Independent Lens… is like going into an independent bookstore—you don't always find what you were looking for but you often find something you didn't even know you wanted."
—The New Yorker

“The greatest showcase of independent film on TV today.”
—The Kansas City Star

“TV’s best kept secret.”
—Christianity Today

“Entertaining as hell and better than any other documentary series around.”
—Electronic Media/Television Week

“Warm, offbeat surprises are in store for those who tune in to this new PBS series.”
—The Hollywood Reporter

"…I watched the series for about a month in late '04. Along the way, I became more than just a writer doing a bit of TV journalism. I discovered a series of which I'm now a fan…."
– Angnieszka Tennant, Washington DC

"I love it when, from time to time, PBS programming stops me mid-click on my remote as I sit on my couch at two in the morning, fighting sleep. Even more do I adore it when a program such as Independent Lens actually keeps me from changing the channel."
—Gregory K. Morales,Terre Haute, IN

"I'm all for airing that concert footage of old rock and folks bands, as you often do during pledge drives-—after all, that was the music of the generation that comprises your most generous contributors, I'm sure—but kudos for airing something as edgy as THE END OF THE CENTURY, which I believe can rival the best PBS has to offer in terms of cultural relevance.
You guys rock",
—Nell

"I am rarely effusive about film. THE LAST LETTER may well be the best I have ever seen…. I have continued to savor and sorrow the story for two days. I have been changed. I thank you."
—Aileen Taylor, Whigham,Georgia

"Just when I had thought television had reached the pits, along comes a high point—something to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike. Thank you for broadcasting this beautiful film [BROTHER TO BROTHER] on PBS."
—Kitty Hall, Pasadena, California

"Congratulations...there is nothing on radio, movies nor TV to top Independent Lens. My personal favorite was about little Jimmy Scott…. Thank you, all of you, for your fabulous works."
—Ann in Northern Michigan

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[SUNSET STORY] was bright, uplifting, and brought out what our society needs to do about old age: celebrate it and continue to communicate with the aged. Independent Lens is one of PBS' best programs. This film and many others deserve a larger audience.
—Evan Leigh Warren. New York, NY

As a corporate working mother, Independent Lens offers me time to think outside of my world. Thank you!
—Chandra, Roanoke, Virginia

Hi, I'm just writing to give you my thanks and to express how much I truly appreciate Independent Lens coming on the air. Once again PBS comes through when nearly everyone else fails to. Thank you.
—Michael Barbano, West Allis, WI