Independent Lens

Indie Films Series / 8 Seasons

Authentic stories. Extraordinary people.

1h 16m / TV-PG

Folk Frontera

14m 8s

Far West Texas is a place where local folklore looms as large as the landscape. Two fronteriza women—one a public radio music show host, the other a Mariachi and folklórico dancer—live in two cultures at the same time, as they struggle to find their place in the vast Chihuahuan Desert. Touches of magical realism infuse this portrait of life along the U.S.- Mexico border.

When I'm Her

14m 30s

When I'm Her follows the double life of a dancer who inhabits an alter ego. A luminary figure at American Ballet Theatre in New York, Michael Cusumano had a stellar career ahead of him, but after past trauma prevented him from realizing his artistic and professional potential, he finds refuge and liberation by becoming Russian ballet instructor Madame Olga, the mentor he never had for himself.

Senior Prom

14m 2s

For so many high-schoolers, prom is a rite of passage in all of its love-filled, well-coiffed, abundantly photographed glory. But for generations of LGBTQ+ youth, prom has been emblematic of an exclusion from a world they could not experience as their authentic selves.

The Great World of Gregory Blackstock

10m 38s

The richly obsessive life and work of renowned autistic artist Gregory Blackstock comes to life, as he uses his art to catalogue and make sense of the world around him. Gregory’s cousin Dorothy helps bring his drawings to the attention of the art world, while the film brings his work to life through hand-crafted animation, drawing you into the unique vision of this singular artist.

Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 1

10m 37s

Twin brothers Don and Ron Brodie travel to Jamaica to reconnect with their roots, with first stop the bustling city of Kingston. While all-night dancehall parties are a main attraction for tourists and locals alike, the Brodies link up with a local taxi driver to get a feel for life far outside the city. City to Country | Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 1

Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 2

11m 56s

The Brodie brothers reunite with an old acquaintance named Orville, a local jack-of-all-trades (DJ, beekeeper, driver, you name it) who has taken up driving an unregistered taxi as a supplemental source of income. Reunion | Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 2

Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 3

11m 57s

With help and inspiration from experienced Jamaican taxi drivers Dean and Stacy (one of the first female drivers they've met in Kingston) the Brodie brothers explore the possibilities of running a taxi service on their own. Twin Charter | Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 3

Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 4

12m 44s

With their parents' own immigrant journey from Jamaica to America in mind, the Brodie brothers travel through the heart of Jamaica, to Mandeville and Montego Bay, in hopes of better understanding where they come from. All Routes Lead Home | Driver Radio: Jamaica, Episode 4

Blind Love, Episode 7

10m 32s

We check in with our "Blind Love" friends one last time: After the stress of rapid-fire speed-dating, Simon feels like he's bonded with a girl over a love of sushi; Joni decides to give James a chance; Solomon meets a girl and tries to impress her with his cooking (okay, a shared kitchen effort with buddy Nick); and Mario's whole attitude brightens. Give Love a Chance | Blind Love, Episode 7

Blind Love , Episode 6

8m 43s

The build-up to his first date with a girl from his church had him nervous about everything, but after they go out, Mario can’t believe his luck; she seems like everything and more. Meanwhile, Joni goes back and forth on her feelings for a doting James and tests his resolve by playing the field as she continues the dance of romance. Joni Plays the Field | Blind Love , Episode 6

Blind Love, Episode 5

8m 28s

A gifted choir musician, Mario finds his Congregation getting involved in playing matchmaker, and then needs his sister's help to vet a potential date. Meanwhile, Simon gets a style makeover in preparation for a speed dating event and discovers it's a lot different when it's not his mom picking out clothes for him. A Match Made in Heaven | Blind Love, Episode 5

Blind Love , Episode 4

8m 51s

Solomon gets over his former attitude about going out with someone who is also blind, meeting a cool girl he thinks "has the blind thing down." For Joni, it means trying to appreciate James as more than a dutiful friend, and getting over jaded feelings that came after a painful breakup. When Your Blind Date is Actually Blind | Blind Love , Episode 4

Blind Love, Episode 3

9m 4s

Mario goes against type with a date who slowly warms up to him, while New Yorker Simon, a sheltered 23-year-old who plays poker with other blind buddies who learn he's never been on a date before, is gonna need to get by with a little help from his more experienced friends. The Dos and Don’ts of Blind Dating | Blind Love, Episode 3

Blind Love, Episode 2

9m 41s

Getting past that first date can be hard, maybe even harder for people who are blind and have low vision. One thing that's universal: AWKWARD-ness. First Dates: From Awkward to Promising | Blind Love, Episode 2

Blind Love, Episode 1

8m 58s

Diving into the dating game, single blind millennials are on a mission to be recognized for who they are--they don't want pity, they want a serious relationship. Is Dating Different When You’re Blind? | Blind Love, Episode 1

American Nomads, Episode 6

5m 40s

Led by Bob Wells, thousands of people gather in the Arizona desert for the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR), an annual two week rally for van and RV dwellers. With stagnant wages and rising home prices, many consider alternatives to the status quo. At RTR, committed nomads share tips and stories about life on the road and create connections and friendships with like-minded freedom seekers.

American Nomads, Episode 5

6m

Living in a van is a tricky feat on its own; throw in attending college full time, in a sometimes-unforgiving city, and things get even more complicated. Young African American couple Lovell and Paris, both veterans going to school in pricey San Francisco, are doing their best to balance the two while navigating the many challenges like break-ins and restrictive parking regulations.

American Nomads, Episode 4

5m 45s

Guisepi once discovered the magic of spontaneous gatherings while cooking dinner in the back of his pickup truck on Hollywood Boulevard. He now lives aboard his mobile tea house, a converted school bus he shares with his partner Ally. But after six years on the road together, it feels more like a home to him than her. Will they consider putting up roots together for a home base?

American Nomads, Episode 3

6m 21s

Kate and Ellen spend their days traveling America turning Airstreams into chic tiny homes. After living on a "little island in a really unaccepting sea," as they call the town they lived in, they now share their life together on the road as a gay couple, working in a male dominated industry, overcoming roadblocks to live their best life.

American Nomads, Episode 2

6m 30s

Crystal left her old life behind to seek financial independence living in her van. She's developed a significant following on YouTube as one of the few African American vandwellers sharing her experiences. As she heads north to Maine to meet up and share stories with a few of her followers, we'll get a glimpse of the joys and challenges of being a single African American woman living on the road.

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