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Community Engagement

With the largest community engagement program in public media, we’re redefining what it means to work together.

Through deep partnerships with PBS stations, libraries, community organizations, and local changemakers, we use independent documentaries as launchpads for dialogue, civic participation, and lasting connection.

Documentaries empowering change from the ground up

Our approach isn’t just about the live audiences we invite into local events—it’s about building trust, strengthening local ecosystems, and creating space for diverse voices to meet, share, and take action. With a multi-platform strategy, ITVS fosters engagement that’s dynamic, welcoming, and rooted in the lived experiences of communities nationwide.

Through our community screening series Indie Lens Pop-Up, we host live, local events across cities and towns, suburbs, and rural areas, in all 50 states. These events build trust, strengthen community connections, and provide free, public spaces for everyone to meet, talk, and take action.

Neighbors Coming Together

A room of high school age looking people clapping looking in the same direction off camera
Audiences enthusiastically applaud for special guest, Olympian Cheryl Hayworth, featured in “Strong!” at a KQED x Indie Lens Pop-Up youth-focused event at the YMCA in Oakland, CA.
Three women holding their fists in the air looking out of frame and wearing shirts that say The Black Women. Serious expressions on their face
A powerful spoken word performance by the Black Sheros at “The Black Panthers: The Vanguard of the Revolution” Indie Lens Pop-Up event cohosted by KQED, Firelight Media, Youth Speaks, and Pandora in Oakland, CA.
A divers group of people on a stage sitting in a row. one person holding a mic. Film publicity still on a screen behind them.
At the Austin Film Society premiere of “A Town Called Victoria,” panelists shared their experiences and answered questions about how we can support our neighbors.
A screen showing
Audiences before the start of a youth-led round table that followed a “Charm City” Indie Lens Pop-Up x KQED screening at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA.
The back of peoples heads looking at screen showing
A discussion with filmmakers and librarians following a “Free for All: The Public Library” screening hosted by KPBS at San Diego Central Library.

partners

If you are interested in hosting a screening for the 2025-26 Indie Lens Pop-Up season, please get in touch.

Make friends, share stories, and join us!

Contact Indie Lens Pop-Up

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