New Independent Lens Season Unveiled in L.A.

Lois Vossen, series producer for Independent Lens, reports from the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Los Angeles.

Hello from the Television Critics Association (TCA) Summer Press Tour. The TCA represents 200 journalists who write about television for print and online outlets in the U.S. and Canada. Twice a year, they gather in what Tim Goodman, TV writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, refers to as a “death march with cocktails.” It’s two weeks holed up in a swanky hotel in Los Angeles to see what’s coming to television. PBS invites series to present during the two days that PBS is showcased.

We’re at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. After an unusually cold summer in San Francisco, it’s great to be in sunshine, announcing the incredible slate of films coming to the Independent Lens 2010-11 season. (Too bad they won’t let us do this by the pool).

Different themes emerge in the new season. Several films have women’s empowerment at their core including Bhutto, Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story, When I Rise, and Pushing the Elephant.  Faith and community are at the center of The Calling, The Longoria Affair, 45365, Children of Haiti, and Two Spirits. The environment continues to fascinate our filmmakers and audiences through practical and some decidedly non-traditional stories, including Deep Down, an encore presentation of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, and the fascinating insects in Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo.

How the media shapes our attitudes, opinions, and behavior are explored in entertaining and equally profound ways in Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian, Welcome to Shelbyville, and to heart-breaking affect in A Film Unfinished.  The value of art in all cultures and societies are explored during Independent Lens’ Artist Month in April 2011 with Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Wasteland, The Desert of Forbidden Art, and the festival-circuit hit Marwencol. And what’s art without a little “copy” as we look at the real Mad Men (and women) in Art & Copy, and the iconic writer William S. Burroughs.

Deep meaning is there, but there’s also just plain fun in The Parking Lot Movie and Men Who Swim. Plus a few more gems including Between the Folds, Lost Sparrow, and For Once in My Life.

We’re thrilled to welcome filmmakers who have previously established themselves in narrative film including Tamra Davis and Jim Bigham, and equally pleased to support the work of new filmmakers (some coming to Independent Lens with their first films) including Meghan Eckman, Alexandria Hammond, and Jessica Oreck. And of course, there are extraordinary filmmakers who’ve made many previous films including Daniel Birman, Doug Pray, Danny Alpert, and Lucy Walker, to name just a few.

Our film festival in your living room has never felt more vibrant, more noteworthy and more important. Twenty six remarkable films that invite you to put on your PJ’s and cuddle up to PBS on Tuesday nights at 10pm beginning October 19^th.

Check out the Fall program guide here >>

Tags: Bhutto, docs, documentary, Independent Lens, indie films, ITVS, PBS, Press Tour, public television, tca