Blog

alderwoman Robin Rue Simmons talking at a table with others
Interviews

January 17, 2023

From Podcast to Doc: Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow on Their Reparation Collaboration

Craig Phillips in Behind the Films

Will the burden to make restitution for Black Americans ever be addressed, or is it too late for a reparations movement to finally happen? That question is at the center…...

Jared Leto wearing a black Day in the Life of America t-shirt
Contests

January 03, 2023

WIN “A Day in the Life of America” T-Shirt

Independent Lens in Contests

We're giving away ten fabulous shirts to celebrate Jared Leto's A Day in the Life of America. Stream the documentary on the PBS app by January 11. The contest runs…...

A girl in red background, darkened, tiktok promoting TikTok social network with a smartphone in hand.
Beyond the Films

November 15, 2022

More Than Just a Hashtag: Disability and TikTok

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

By Chloe Johnson If you enter the world’s most popular app, TikTok, ADHD might genuinely be the first thing that nondisabled people think of when they imagine what "disability TikTok"…...

Kelsey Peterson, a woman i a wheelchair, at the beach, stretching her wrists
Interviews

November 07, 2022

“I Want to Move, I Want to Embrace Change”: Kelsey Peterson’s Journey to Dance Again

Independent Lens in Behind the Films

By Xian Horn Kelsey Peterson and I have had very different experiences of disability—I was born with cerebral palsy, and she became disabled as an adult. But watching her film…...

Gaelynn Lea, with violin, photo credit Paul Vienneau
Beyond the Films

November 01, 2022

“Everybody’s Voice Is Unique”: Disability in the Performing Arts

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

By Allison Kirkland Kelsey Peterson's journey in Move Me will resonate with anyone who has undergone change and found something different but just as beautiful on the other side of…...

TikTok Influencer Deja Foxx and her sister taking selfie in front of the ocean
Beyond the Films

October 27, 2022

The Real People Behind Shadowbanned TikTok Accounts

Independent Lens in Beyond the Films

By Andy Hirschfeld Tensions are especially high across the globe right now, and on TikTok, knee-jerk reactions may drive some people into—or out of—their 15 minutes of fame. With that…...

Woman sitting on couch surrounded by photos of her dead son
Interviews

September 15, 2022

The Price of Hazing: A Personal Journey to Understand the Need to Belong

Craig Phillips in Behind the Films

Byron Hurt has made indelible films about the traditions of African American culinary traditions (Soul Food Junkies) and masculinity and misogyny in rap music with his daring doc Hip-Hop: Beyond…...

No Straight Lines

When Alison Bechdel received a coveted MacArthur Award for her best-selling graphic memoir Fun Home, it heralded the acceptance of LGBTQ+ comics in American culture. From DIY underground comix scene to mainstream acceptance, meet five smart and funny queer comic book artists whose uncensored commentary left no topic untouched and… Read More