PBS’ Independent Lens Launches 20th Season of Free Pop-Up Screening Series in Teaneck and Nationwide

The Librarians

(TEANECK, NJ) — The award-winning PBS documentary series, INDEPENDENT LENS, presents the launch of the upcoming season of Indie Lens Pop-Up in partnership with the Teaneck International Film Festival and the Puffin Cultural Forum.  The season kicks-off on February 4, 2026 with The Librarians and continues through May. The series is free for all but sign up is required.

The long-running community screening series celebrates its twentieth season, which has brought together nearly half a million people for conversations inspired by thought-provoking documentaries. This season, the screening series will feature both in-person (taking place locally at the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck and the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee) and virtual events in more than 200 communities across nearly all 50 states.

Indie Lens Pop-Up will engage communities on a range of topics, from the debate over book collections in libraries and the legacy of a groundbreaking Congresswoman, to representation within the Little People community and exploring world cultures through the local grocery store.  These community events empower audiences to deepen their understanding of themselves and each other.

“What makes INDEPENDENT LENS truly special is the way Indie Lens Pop-Up brings these powerful documentaries right into local communities all across the country,” said Beatriz Castillo, senior director of engagement and impact operations at ITVS. “These aren’t just film screenings—they’re opportunities for people to come together, have real conversations, and explore different perspectives in a way that’s respectful and inclusive. More and more, communities are craving spaces where they can connect, learn from one another, and talk about the issues that matter. Indie Lens Pop-Up helps make that possible.”

Jeremy Lentz, Executive Director of the Teaneck International Film Festival, states “The films being presented empower our community to come together and talk about topics that might be otherwise difficult to discuss with one another. With this continued partnership, we’re not only able to watch films from the award-winning INDEPENDENT LENS series, but we also create open, safe forums to talk about important issues affecting our neighborhoods today, hopefully providing useful resources for those who need them.”

The Teaneck International Film Festival and The Puffin Cultural Forum are proud to continue their sixth consecutive year presenting Indie Lens Pop-Up series.  This year they are especially excited to be adding a new screening venue thanks to a partnership with the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, New Jersey.  Previous Indie Lens programs have had a significant impact in our community and helped to shed light on many local and national issues impacting New Jerseyans. 

The 2026 Indie Lens Pop-Up lineup includes the following documentaries:

* Librarians across the U.S. examine how book review policies are shaping their communities in The Librarians.

* The Inquisitor highlights the legacy of Barbara Jordan, unraveling how her public influence shaped U.S. politics, while exploring the complexities of her personal identity.

* Filmmaker Julie Forrest Wyman searches to find her place within the Little People community, exploring dwarfism within her own family and the diverse experiences of other Little People in her film The Tallest Dwarf.

* The Grocery List Show takes viewers to five bustling international grocery stores in America with Top Chef contender Chrissy Camba.

Here is the Indie Lens Pop-Up 2026 lineup.

The Librarians directed by Kim A. Snyder. When Texas lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Across the U.S., librarians face the impact of uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life. Virtual screening date: Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30pm (EST)

The Inquisitor directed by Angela Tucker. Explore the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan in The Inquisitor. Jordan was a groundbreaking Texas congresswoman whose sharp intellect and moral clarity transformed U.S. politics. From Nixon’s impeachment to civil rights battles, her voice demanded accountability, while she privately faced struggles few ever knew of. In-person screening held at Barrymore Film Center (153 Main Street in Fort Lee, NJ) on Thursday, February 19th at 7:30pm (EST) (Please note for this in-person screening free reservation tickets must be reserved through BarryFilmCenter.org beginning on January 7th.

The Tallest Dwarf directed by Julie Forrest Wyman. This film follows filmmaker Julie Forrest Wyman as she searches for her place in the Little People community and unpacks rumors of dwarfism in her own family. Through intimate stories, creative collaborations, and archival history, the film delves into identity and medicine, asking whether society should change people or the structures that limit them. Virtual screening date: Wednesday, March 25th at 7:30pm (EDT)

The Grocery List Show directed by Emily Strong. Hosted by Top Chef contender Chrissy Camba, The Grocery List Show is a trip to five bustling international grocery stores in America and the communities they serve. Special guests and food enthusiasts join Chrissy to shop for ingredients and cook a favorite family recipe, as they celebrate global food traditions over a shared meal. In-person screening held at Puffin Cultural Forum (20 Puffin Way in Teaneck, NJ): Friday, May 8th at 7:30pm (EDT)

TO RSVP TO ANY OF THE LISTED EVENTS VISIT TEANECKFILMFESTIVAL.ORG OR CLICK HERE.

For more than 20 years, the award-winning Indie Lens Pop-Up program has partnered with local organizations across the country to bring people together for film screenings and community-driven conversations. Inspired by the documentaries featured on PBS’ INDEPENDENT LENS, Indie Lens Pop-Up is a space for sharing ideas and making connections that shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Since its inception in 2005, nearly half a million participants have come together at Indie Lens Pop-Up events to discuss issues that impact local communities.

INDEPENDENT LENS is an award-winning documentary series that fosters understanding, seeks to build empathy, and encourages a more united society. Produced by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS documentaries have premiered on PBS for 25 years and streamed on YouTube, helping Americans foster deeper connections between communities and themselves. From the Oscar-nominated I Am Not Your Negro to the Peabody-acclaimed docuseries Philly D.A. and the Emmy^Ⓡ award-winning The Invisible War, INDEPENDENT LENS provides viewers with in-depth, nuanced storytelling reflecting the experiences of people from a variety of voices and communities. INDEPENDENT LENS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting: a private corporation funded by the American People, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Acton Family Giving, Park Foundation, and Wyncote Foundation. Stream anytime on the PBS app or YouTube.

Teaneck International Film Festival draws over 4,000 filmgoers each year. Films and talkbacks illustrate what TIFF is about – making untouchable topics part of everyday conversation by addressing racism, oppression, the environment, the LGBTQ+ community, women’s issues, threats to democracy, immigration, and more — stories of ordinary citizens whose voices are not often heard. With the theme, Activism: Making Change, the festival is an excellent starting point for fostering appreciation of differences, understanding all that we share, and encouraging efforts to help make the world a better place.