Local, USA

Indie Films Series / 9 Seasons

Culled from public television stations and independent producers from across the country, LOCAL, USA is a half-hour series featuring fascinating stories of diverse people, curated around a single theme.

26m 49s / TV-PG

Girl Talk | Standing Up, Speaking Out

1m 4s / TV-PG

Gaby, a novice member of the Newton South High School debate team, is discovering what it takes to stand up for herself as a person which translates over to the world of debate. Disagreeing is a challenge when everything you knew before told you otherwise.

Girl Talk | Expression in More Than One Language

1m 1s / TV-PG

Hannah, a varsity member of the Newton South High School debate team, sees debating as more than speaking. As a first generation child of Vietnamese refugees, communication is key in her life at home and school, recognizing how the world perceives her and her family.

Girl Talk: A Local, USA Special | Trailer

1m 45s / TV-PG

Set in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of high school debate, GIRL TALK tells the compelling story of five girls on the diverse, top-ranked Massachusetts team at Newton South. Often talked over, underrepresented and judged differently than their male counterparts, each girl learns to navigate gender biases, reminding us that equal rights and freedom of expression are worth fighting for.

Girl Talk: A Local, USA Special | Preview

30s / TV-PG

Set in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of high school debate, GIRL TALK tells the compelling story of five girls on the diverse, top-ranked Massachusetts team at Newton South. Often talked over, underrepresented and judged differently than their male counterparts, each girl learns to navigate gender biases, reminding us that equal rights and freedom of expression are worth fighting for.

Girl Talk | Motivational Failure

1m 40s / TV-PG

The Newton South High School debate team has dealt with its share of disappointment but it doesn't stop them from moving on and up. Told to "be more Oprah," varsity member Gil is fueled by judgement of her poise rather than her points.

Girl Talk | A Balance Between Self and a "Good Debater"

1m 24s / TV-PG

Bella, a co-captain of the Newton South High School debate team, shares the struggle of maintaining her feminine identity and that of a confident debater. Even today, dress code is one relevant point in presentation at tournaments with girls wavering between skirts and pants.

Girl Talk | Perceptual Dominance

2m 3s / TV-PG

Meet the Newton South High School debate team, one of the largest in the U.S. with a diverse roster - nearly half are girls and many are first generation. What the girls must achieve at the podium is perceptual dominance as they contend with the judges' opinions simply because they are not the boys.

In Their Element | Trailer

1m 47s / TV-PG

IN THEIR ELEMENT spotlights Indigenous leaders rising up to meet the challenge of the climate crisis. The film features four communities across the United States, each working to protect a different natural resource: earth, air, fire, and water. For people whose existence is inseparable from their native land, climate change is not a tale of the future - it is the present.

In Their Element | Preview

30s / TV-PG

IN THEIR ELEMENT spotlights Indigenous leaders rising up to meet the challenge of the climate crisis. The film features four communities across the United States, each working to protect a different natural resource: earth, air, fire, and water. For people whose existence is inseparable from their native land, climate change is not a tale of the future - it is the present.

Extremism in America | Trailer

1m 38s / TV-PG

According to government officials, domestic terrorism by white supremacists is the nation's most urgent threat. EXTREMISM IN AMERICA, from Retro Report and The WNET Group’s Exploring Hate initiative, shows how the spread of extremist beliefs and violence was downplayed for decades by policymakers and law enforcement even as this dangerous ideology, fueled by racism, grew into a potent force today.

Extremism in America | Sikh Temple Mass Shooting

1m 3s / TV-PG

On August 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a gunman with ties to white supremacy entered a Sikh temple, killing and wounding members of the gurdwara and police. The product of extremism, mass shootings at houses of worship - from Charleston to Pittsburgh - have since continued over the past decade.

Extremism in America | Great Replacement Theory

1m 2s / TV-PG

The day after the 2008 presidential election, a predominantly Black church was burned to the ground - this was just one of a number of hate crimes that occurred in the U.S. following President Barack Obama's election. The response was also due to a theory known as the 'great/white replacement' which has been believed, spread and used by white supremacists, conservative media and politicians.

Extremism in America | The Order

1m 2s / TV-PG

Acts of terror have dotted U.S. history but it wasn't until the 1980s that white supremacy became a growing threat. Formed by Robert Mathews, The Order and its actions - including the murder of Jewish radio talk show host Alan Berg - was an alert to the federal government that domestic terrorism should be recognized and prioritized.

Extremism in America | Preview

30s / TV-PG

According to government officials, domestic terrorism by white supremacists is the nation's most urgent threat. EXTREMISM IN AMERICA, from Retro Report and The WNET Group’s Exploring Hate initiative, shows how the spread of extremist beliefs and violence was downplayed for decades by policymakers and law enforcement even as this dangerous ideology, fueled by racism, grew into a potent force today.

Caretakers | Trailer

2m 1s / TV-PG

CARETAKERS looks at the history of Filipinos in care work and profiles Filipino Americans on the front lines today. The film shows, as filmmaker Geena Rocero says, “Filipinos as we are," while telling the stories of all people providing vital care. Meet caretakers like nurse Belinda Ellis, therapist Aleksa Manila, Chef Channing Centeno, and phlebotomist Angel Bonilla.

Caretakers | Preview

30s / TV-PG

CARETAKERS looks at the history of Filipinos in care work and profiles Filipino Americans on the front lines today. The film shows, as filmmaker Geena Rocero says, “Filipinos as we are," while telling the stories of all people providing vital care. Meet caretakers like nurse Belinda Ellis, therapist Aleksa Manila, Chef Channing Centeno, and phlebotomist Angel Bonilla.

Breach of Trust | Trailer

1m 34s / TV-PG

Told from the point of view of women advocating for accountability and change, BREACH OF TRUST examines the sexual assault scandal at the University of Southern California and details crimes committed by former gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall, as well as exposing the active cover-up on the part of the administration.

Breach of Trust | Preview

30s / TV-PG

Told from the point of view of women advocating for accountability and change, BREACH OF TRUST examines the sexual assault scandal at the University of Southern California and details crimes committed by former gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall, as well as exposing the active cover-up on the part of the administration.

The Conversation Remix | Trailer

1m 54s / TV-PG

THE CONVERSATION REMIX explores the present catharsis we are living in, following the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Through three character-driven films that present a vibrant collage of people’s lives and experiences, we dive into how the current uprising is impacting communities, and how we can contribute to discussions about racial justice reform.

The Conversation Remix | Preview

30s / TV-PG

THE CONVERSATION REMIX explores the present catharsis we are living in, following the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Through three character-driven films that present a vibrant collage of people’s lives and experiences, we dive into how the current uprising is impacting communities, and how we can contribute to discussions about racial justice reform.

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