Independent Lens

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Independent Lens is a weekly television show which airs on PBS distributed by ITVS. Each episode introduces new documentaries and dramas made by film makers who are taking creative risks or finding unusual stories to tell on film. Various seasons of Independent Lens have been presented by well known hosts, such as Edie Falco, Susan Sarandon, Don Cheadle, and Angela Bassett. This season's host is Terrence Howard.

Independent Lens programs vary widely, sometimes including feature-length documentaries, hour long dramas, or even comedic shorts. The intent of the program is to showcase the filmmakers themselves and their spirit of shaking off the conventions of commercial programming and pursuing original and unique foci.

The show has been awarded two Emmy Awards for Best Documentary, one in 2004 for the documentary Be Good, Smile Pretty and another in 2000 for Sing Faster: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle .

[edit] Critical Acclaim

"Watching Independent Lens… is like going into an independent bookstore—you don't always find what you were looking for but you often find something you didn't even know you wanted." —The New Yorker

“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

“Warm, offbeat surprises are in store for those who tune in to this new PBS series.” —The Hollywood Reporter