Beginning in January 2020, unforgettable and acclaimed new stories are coming to Independent Lens on PBS, America’s home for documentaries. From the story of a Somali family in Minnesota torn apart by a son’s fateful decision, to Chicago for a look at one of political activism’s most unlikely alliances as well as a shocking look at … READ MORE

Independent Lens’ new season is here and so take a peek at the unforgettable, award-winning films that make up the first half of the 2017-2018 slate. We open on Monday, November 6 with Chasing Trane, John Scheinfeld’s portrait of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane, featuring Denzel Washington speaking the words of Coltrane. Other highlights of the Fall 2017-Winter 2018 lineup include Raoul … READ MORE

Independent Lens is proud to announce that Leslee Udwin’s India’s Daughter, which premiered on the PBS series in November 2015, is the winner of a 2016 Peabody Award. The Peabody Awards are bestowed by the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication; this is Independent Lens’s 16th Peabody Award. India’s Daughter recounts … READ MORE

Independent Lens returns this fall with a new season of documentaries that tell unforgettable stories of courage and resilience, explore the most pressing issues of our time, and take viewers on journeys around the world. Having recently received 11 News & Documentary Emmy nominations (with two wins) and one Primetime Emmy nomination, Independent Lens opens … READ MORE

Last night, the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards ceremony was held at Geffen Hall in New York City, and we were excited to learn that two Independent Lens films came away with Emmys. Congratulations to not only the winning filmmakers and all the Independent Lens films that were nominated, but to the full group of outstanding documentaries and … READ MORE

Greetings indie doc devotees! You might notice things look a bit different around here. Perhaps you’re even reading this on your tablet or smartphone? It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the new Independent Lens website. We took advantage of our summer hiatus to do a site refresh and provide you with faster, better and … READ MORE

The International Documentary Association (IDA) Documentary Awards were announced today in a ceremony in Los Angeles, and we’re proud to say that Independent Lens was bestowed the honor of being named Best Continuing Series. In addition, Blood Brother, Steve Hoover’s film about his friend Rocky Braat’s experiences working with HIV-positive children in India, airing on Independent Lens … READ MORE

The Independent Lens documentary series launches its 12th season on PBS on September 30th with a lineup of 23 films from both new and established filmmakers. Actor/director Stanley Tucci will be returning as the series host. The season will kick off with Ramona Diaz’s Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey, about Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, who was plucked from YouTube to … READ MORE

  Our film The Invisible War may not have scored Oscar gold last night, but we are so proud it came so close. Our very own Lois Vossen, Independent Lens senior series producer, was on the scene, and provided us with some great “insider” photos. We’ll intersperse them with her comments about the film. Consider … READ MORE

Can’t make it to Sundance Film Festival this year? Neither could some of us at the office, and at least a few other people in the world. But tens of thousands of others have descended on the festival, and our very own crack(pot) reporter Steve Goldbloom is right in the thick of the crowd. Check … READ MORE

It’s been a banner year for Independent Lens. Our films have scored some of the most highly coveted film awards, honors, and accolades in 2012 – including five of the 15 features on the Academy Awards documentary short list. “It’s a pinnacle so far for us, and we’re so proud of everyone involved,” says Lois … READ MORE

by Lois Vossen, Independent Lens Senior Series Producer & Vice President, ITVS We are pleased to report that PBS, ITVS, and POV have emerged from months of conversation to confirm a new Monday nights at 10 PM broadcast slot for Independent Lens and POV.  The new timeslot reaffirms that independent filmmakers and public broadcasting together … READ MORE