The Learning is the story of four Filipino women who are recruited to teach in Baltimore city public schools. With their increased salaries, they hope to transform their families’ lives back in their impoverished country. But the women also bring idealistic visions of the teacher’s craft and of life in America, which soon collide with Baltimore’s tough realities.

Friday’s live event is open to the public, and participants are encouraged to log on and ask questions.

Lois Vossen, Vice President of ITVS & Series Producer of Independent Lens

Independent Lens Series Producer and ITVS Vice President, Lois Vossen, was on hand Monday night in New York for the 31^st Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Earlier today she filed this report for BTB, on an evening that bestowed plenty of laurels on public television.

A warm September rain didn’t dampen the News & Documentary Emmy Awards. The most respected and recognizable faces in broadcast journalism, along with hundreds of independent documentary filmmakers, producers, and broadcasters gathered at Lincoln Center for this annual showcase to acknowledge the best in television journalism and reporting.

Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman — longtime friend of ITVS — was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award

A highlight of this year’s ceremony was a Lifetime Achievement Award for Frederick Wiseman. Independent Lens proudly premiered Fred’s narrative film The Last Letter on our third season (2005). Additionally, ITVS has worked with Fred and funded three of his films including State Legislature, Boxing Gym (broadcasting this fall on PBS), and his upcoming film on the University of California, Berkeley.

In his well-timed remarks, Fred thanked the people inside public television who have supported his work these many years including: Sandy Heberer at PBS, Tammy Robinson in her years at WNET, and Claire Aguilar of ITVS. Not just anyone can graciously accept a lifetime achievement award by effectively telling a morgue joke. Fred can.

The other sustained applause of the evening went to presenter Dan Rather for his impassioned plea to the ideals of journalism in a society obsessed with celebrity and sound bites. “Do we still believe that an independent press is the fierce, beating heart of democracy?” Rather asked, asserting that journalism serves as a “parallel justice system” by exposing wrongdoing. “These ideals are being threatened today. The country needs you and your work now more than ever, not just because it will be what keeps the news media and journalism alive, but more importantly, it is what will keep a healthy democracy and a civil society alive.”

Lois Vossen with the team from No Subtitles Necessary — one of six ITVS programs nominated for an Emmy

It was great to see our colleagues from PBS NewsHour — Robert MacNeil, Jim Lehrer, Les Crystal, and Linda Winslow — receive the Chairman’s Award for their outstanding work at this 35-year-old venerable news institution.

Filmmaker Geoffrey Smith won an Emmy Monday night for The English Surgeon

Big congratulations to Geoffrey Smith and our colleagues at P.O.V.! Geoffrey won an Emmy for his ITVS-funded documentary The English Surgeon. We also congratulate the three Independent Lens films that were nominated: Crips & Bloods: Made in America by Stacy Peralta, No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos by James Chressanthis, and Tulia, Texas by Cassandra Herrman and Kelly Whalen; and the two additional ITVS-funded nominees: The Way We Get By by Aron Gaudet, and Be Like Others by Tanaz Eshaghian.

Excellent documentary film and journalism are thriving, and we will continue to respond to Mr. Rather’s call to arms.

Last night, ITVS hosted the Washington D.C. premiere of the landmark new documentary Bhutto, about the life, career, and tragic death of one of the world’s most dynamic leaders — and the first woman ever to lead an Islamic nation — Benazir Bhutto.

The film debuted at Sundance 2010 to rave reviews and Independent Lens series producer Lois Vossen quickly moved in to secure Bhutto for next season; it will air in March 2011 in celebration of Women’s History Month.

But last night, Bhutto belonged to official Washington. Nearly 400 invited guests, members of Congress and the Washington diplomatic corps, journalists, and other notables were regaled with reflections and remembrances of Ms. Bhutto’s life and work.

The pinnacle of the evening though, was a surprise appearance by another dynamic woman leader, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who took the podium during introductory remarks to share memories of her friendship with Benazir (watch the Speaker’s remarks below).

Having the Speaker at our event was truly an honor, especially for a San Francisco-based organization like ITVS! Introductory remarks were also made by Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (see below).

Following the screening of Bhutto, a visibly moved Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, took the stage to talk about Benazir’s political legacy, and the continuing struggle for democracy in Pakistan. He also acknowledged Ms. Sanam Bhutto, Benazir’s sister and only living sibling, who was also in attendance.

The event wrapped up with a brief discussion with the filmmakers (producer Mark Siegel and director Duane Baughman), hosted by veteran journalist Judy Woodruff of  PBS NewsHour (watch the discussion below and read Woodruff’s report on the film for the Online NewsHour).

All in all it was quite an evening. Friends and supporters gathered to celebrate Mrs. Bhutto’s life, prominent members of official Washington turned out to support the ongoing and very consequential U.S. relationship with Pakistan, and once again, ITVS fulfilled its mission to bring independently produced programming to diverse audiences in support of civic dialogue and public education.

One thing is certain, however you might be inclined to judge Ms. Bhutto’s political legacy, this an important film that will educate millions of Americans about the turbulent political history of modern Pakistan.