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Airing weekly on PBS, the Emmy award-winning series is like an independent film festival in your living room. Each episode introduces new documentaries and dramas made by independent thinkers: filmmakers who are taking creative risks, calling their own shots and finding untold stories in unexpected places.
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Independent Lens | WRIT WRITER | PBS
WRIT WRITER reveals a little-known battle of the Civil Rights Movement, led by an indigent, under-educated prisoner. Texas-born, Mexican American Fred Cruz came of age and found his life's calling in prison, where the sanctioned cruelty and brutality among inmates and guards moved him to fight the state prison system in the court of law.
WRIT WRITER airs nationally June 03, 2008 on PBS (check local listings).
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The Filmocracy contest submission period is closed. Thanks to everyone who participated. Winners will be announced June 23, 2008.
Many people used the powerful medium of film to mix it up and make a statement about the politics of food, using KING CORN clips and footage from Getty Images. Participants uploaded their own clips as well, and mixed it all up with the Eyespot online editing tool.
The KING CORN filmmakers will choose the grand prizewinner, but the public picks the rest. The most popular and highest ranked Filmocracy shorts win fabulous prizes!
“Nutrition is my passion,” writes Kylee from Berkeley, CA. “I appreciate the opportunity to make my voice heard (or seen, that is!)” Watch Kylee’s mix and many more on Eyespot.
Watch and rank now
VOTE DEMOCRACY! encourages everyone—particularly young Americans and new voters— to get involved in the democratic process. This national community engagement campaign is focused on: voter registration and engagement, civic engagement and leadership development.
Get involved in the democratic process »
Independent Lens is proud to present ELECTRIC SHADOWS award-winning Web-original projects. We invite you to step outside the confines of time and space and choose where these digital stories will take you. Interact, "talkback" and participate!
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NEW YEAR BABY
WRIT WRITER
THE COOL SCHOOL
DEEP WATER
ABDUCTION: The Megumi Yokota Story

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Want to see Indie Lens on a big screen, learn more about the films and talk about the issues? Here’s your chance.

ITVS Community Cinema presents free monthly screenings of upcoming Independent Lens films, accompanied by panel discussions, guest speakers and more—in more than 30 cities!

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"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

“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

We’ve launched Your Lens to find out what you independent thinkers are thinking. Talkback and get involved. Come back monthly and see new ways to participate and share your passions, ideas and opinions.

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Join the Independent Lens Flickr group!

We are seeking and highlighting photos of women musicians to be part of our Indie Lens slide show inspired by COMPANERAS, the documentary about America's first all-female mariachi band, coming to Indie Lens in April.

We’ve collected some great photos already. Check out the stunning images of the mariachi band, international artists playing exotic instruments, folkies, women who rock, and even a 1958 photo of a woman playing the dulcimer!

View the Flickr photos and slideshow »

Add your photos of women musicians »

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Documentary film lovers, Indie film fans, Uncommon TV fans, Free-thinkers, The curious, Film aficionados, Cinema lovers, Film festival fans, Film goers, Self-reliant, mindful, questioning, alternative types, Unique individuals, Creative thinkers, Socially conscious, Lifelong learners, Visionaries, Film producers, Film directors, Cinematographers

My Blog

WRIT WRITER airs nationally June 3 on PBS.

WRIT WRITER reveals a little-known battle of the Civil Rights Movement, led by an indigent, under-educated prisoner. Texas-born, Mexican American Fred Cruz came of age and found his life's calling in ...
Posted by Independent Lens on Fri, 23 May 2008 11:46:00 PST

THE COOL SCHOOL airs nationally June 10 on PBS.

For a decade1956 to 1966the Ferus Gallery was the catalyst of a nascent modern art scene, grooming idealistic beatniks into competitive, often-brilliant artists. It also helped to solidify the caree...
Posted by Independent Lens on Fri, 23 May 2008 11:47:00 PST

NEW YEAR BABY airs nationally May 27 on PBS.

Born in a Thai refugee camp on Cambodian New Year, filmmaker Socheata Poeuv grew up in the United States never knowing that her family had survived the Khmer Rouge genocide. In NEW YEAR BABY, she emba...
Posted by Independent Lens on Thu, 08 May 2008 01:32:00 PST

A DREAM IN DOUBT airs nationally May 20 on PBS.

One of America's first post 9/11 hate crime murders punctuated a growing wave of violence in retaliation for the terror attacks. Told from the perspective of the victim's brother, A DREAM IN DOUBT tra...
Posted by Independent Lens on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:52:00 PST

NA KAMALEI: The Men of Hula airs nationally May 6 on PBS.

Following legendary teacher Robert Cazimero and the only all-male hula school in Hawaii, NA KAMALEI: The Men of Hula goes beyond deep-rooted stereotypes of "grass skirt girls" and reveals a story of ...
Posted by Independent Lens on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:34:00 PST

KING CORN airs nationally April 15 on PBS.

Two recent college graduates embark on a mission to see where America’s food comes fromby growing it. In the rural town of Greene, Iowa, the two friends plant a single acre of the nation&rsquo...
Posted by Independent Lens on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:12:00 PST

WATER FLOWING TOGETHER airs nationally April 8 on PBS.

WATER FLOWING TOGETHER offers an intimate portrait of a remarkable dancer, Jock Soto, who retired from the New York City Ballet at age 40, after a 24-year career. Soto’s journey as an openly ga...
Posted by Independent Lens on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:11:00 PST

COMPAÑERAS airs nationally April 1 on PBS.

COMPAÑERAS profiles America's first all-female mariachi band, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. Founded in 1994, the 12 members of Reyna shatter age-old stereotypes while expanding the popularity of mar...
Posted by Independent Lens on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:52:00 PST

IRON LADIES OF LIBERIA airs nationally March 18 on PBS.

With unprecedented access, this intimate documentary goes behind the scenes with Africa's first freely elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, president of Liberia. The film explores the ...
Posted by Independent Lens on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:03:00 PST

HARD ROAD HOME airs nationally February 26 on PBS.

The CEO is an ex-drug-dealing gang leader who did 12 years hard time. His right hand man is struggling with old demons. And their star clientwho did time for grand theft autonow wants to be a mechan...
Posted by Independent Lens on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:08:00 PST