Independent Lens

Watch Independent Lens

  • TV-14
  • 1999
  • 29 Seasons
  • 7.9  (654)

Independent Lens is a critically acclaimed documentary series that has been on PBS since 1999. Hosted by notable actors such as Susan Sarandon, Edie Falco, Peter Coyote, Don Cheadle, Kal Penn, Alona Tal, Lance Reddick, America Ferrera, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the show features independent filmmakers from all over the world who explore a variety of social, political, and cultural issues.

Each episode offers a unique insight into the world of indie filmmaking, with documentary filmmakers sharing their stories and their work. The series showcases a diverse range of genres, including cinema verit

Independent Lens is a series that ran for 29 seasons (547 episodes) between August 9, 1999 and on PBS

Independent Lens
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Seasons
The Inquisitor
6. The Inquisitor
February 23, 2026
Summary is not available.
The Librarians
5. The Librarians
February 9, 2026
Librarians across the U.S. examine how restrictions on library content are shaping communities.
Vivien's Wild Ride
4. Vivien's Wild Ride
January 26, 2026
When legendary film editor Vivien Hillgrove begins losing her sight, she confronts memories of loss and resilience while reinventing herself as an artist with a disability. From her groundbreaking career in cinema to her life on a small farm with her partner, Karen, Vivien’s story reveals how creativity, care, and connection can reshape what it means to see and belong.
Life After
3. Life After
November 3, 2025
Filmmaker Reid Davenport investigates assisted dying and uncovers how ableism, policy, and systemic failures can make death seem like the only option. With gripping stories and a personal mission, "Life After" explores who gets real choice, and who doesn't, in life and death.
Ratified
2. Ratified
October 20, 2025
"Ratified" brings the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to life through Virginia's pivotal ratification battle. Led by Black women and with the support of a multi-racial, multi-generational coalition, this documentary traces the legal, political, and deeply personal fight to enshrine gender equality in the U.S. Constitution nearly a century after the ERA was first proposed.
Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution
1. Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution
October 6, 2025
A groundbreaking look at Phil Sharp's rise from being a rural Kentucky farm boy who battled dyslexia to Nobel Prize-winning scientist. Narrated by Mark Ruffalo with insights from Walter Isaacson, "Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution" reveals how Sharp's RNA discovery transformed biology and launched the biotechnology revolution leading to life-saving treatments for millions.
Description
Where to Watch Independent Lens
Independent Lens is available for streaming on the PBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Independent Lens on demand at Fandango at Home and PBS.
  • Premiere Date
    August 9, 1999
  • IMDB Rating
    7.9  (654)
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