July 16, 2020
The Evolution of Disability in Film: After the Accolades, the Work Continues
Independent Lens in
By Lawrence Carter-Long Once upon a time, disability was just a diagnosis. Through time, the word has evolved to encompass larger more expansive concepts like community, identity, and culture. In…...
February 20, 2020
As American as the Blues: Lynching in Film and TV
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
By Ade Adeniji Always in Season explores the history of lynching through the mysterious 2014 death of Lennon Lacy while also looking at historical reenactments of lynching, prompting some to…...
December 20, 2019
New Year’s Resolutions and Goals from the Independent Lens Film Family
Independent Lens in Lifestyle
What are your own resolutions for the New Year? Or your personal hopes, dreams, and goals? We reached out to some members of the Independent Lens family -- the directors…...
December 10, 2019
9 Lights for Hanukkah: Finding Light in Dark Times
Sharon Knolle in Lifestyle
This Hanukkah, as millions light their menorahs and rededicate themselves to their family, their faith and their communities, we look for ways to find and share joy, light, healing, and…...
April 16, 2019
Independent Lens Wins Two 2018 Peabody Awards
Craig Phillips in Announcements
Independent Lens is proud to announce that two of the series' films —Dolores and The Judge — have won 2018 Peabody Awards in the Documentary category. The oldest and most prestigious award for…...
February 07, 2019
RaMell Ross Charts “the Visual Story of Blackness” in Oscar-Nominated Doc
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
Just one year after RaMell Ross' Hale County This Morning, This Evening won a Special Jury Award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, the filmmaker will follow his film's television debut…...
January 23, 2019
Elvis and the Death of the American Dream, Through Movies
Sean Axmaker in Beyond the Films
Elvis Presley is ostensibly the subject of The King, Eugene Jarecki's expansive road movie of a documentary. The award-winning director drives Presley's 1963 Rolls-Royce across the US, from Mississippi and…...
October 02, 2018
Independent Lens Wins Two 2018 News & Documentary Emmys: TOWER and Forever Pure
Craig Phillips in Awards
The News & Documentary Emmy Awards were presented on Monday, October 1, 2018, in a ceremony at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City,…...
June 18, 2018
Make Your Voice Heard: Pick Your Favorite 2017-18 Independent Lens Film (Updated)
Independent Lens in Announcements
It's that time of the year again: Now that Independent Lens has concluded another season, we need you to vote for the recipient of this year's Audience Award. Yes you,…...
April 20, 2018
Five Questions with Nick Offerman about Wendell Berry
Craig Phillips in Behind the Films
Look & See: Wendell Berry's Kentucky co-producer Nick Offerman, an actor of many an indie film and of course on TV's Parks & Recreation, Fargo, and author of Paddle Your Own…...
March 30, 2018
Censored Iranian Artists, Poets and Musicians Threatened with Exile
Independent Lens in Beyond the Films
[Note: Please enjoy this guest essay on Iranian artists and censorships, in conjunction with the broadcast premiere of When God Sleeps, by artist and game creator Kurosh ValaNejad. See more…...
March 08, 2018
From Jane to Dolores, Agnès to Elsa, Documentaries on Unheralded Women Who Made History
Sharon Knolle in Independent Film
In celebration of Women's History Month (every March), we focus on great recent documentaries about great women, all who forged their own path in times and places where that wasn't expected…...