As part of Independent Lens‘s Throwback Thursdays series, and in honor of the 40th anniversary of hip-hop music, we’re offering the documentary Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes to watch online for free on PBS.org. The film will be available for one week, until August 14th, so take advantage while you can. Byron Hunt’s film drew acclaim for … READ MORE

Independent Lens is currently seeking submissions of films in advanced rough cut or fine cut stage or completed films to broadcast during the October 2014 – June 2015 season. To learn more about eligibility, what we’re looking for, and to complete our online submission form go to www.ilsubmissions.org. Any questions? Feel free to drop a line to ILsubmissions@itvs.org.

The ITVS-funded The Trials of Muhammad Ali will have its television premiere on Independent Lens in the coming Spring, but we’re very pleased to see it receiving a much-deserved theatrical rollout across these United States. Bill Siegel’s film covers the famed boxer’s toughest bout of all: his battle to overturn the five-year prison sentence he … READ MORE

With Independent Lens off the air for summer (and there are still plenty of ways to watch our films online and via Amazon, iTunes, Netflix, DVD and more), this is a perfect time to check out some of the fun interactive features connected to our expansive catalog. Also, on the home page you’ll find a host of other engaging … READ MORE

We were excited to learn that several Independent Lens films have been nominated for 2013 News and Documentary Emmy Awards by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Danfung Dennis’s Hell and Back Again — which had previously been nominated for an Oscar — was nominated for a Best Documentary Emmy. The film intimately traces a … READ MORE

After a tight and active race, Independent Lens voters have spoken: The winner of the 2013 Independent Lens Audience Award is The Revisionaries. Scott Thurman’s “well-made dispatch from a long war” [The New York Times] about the tempest over Texas textbook revisions was called both “alarming [and] hilarious” by Salon.com‘s Andrew O’Hehir, and audiences seem to … READ MORE