SAN FRANCISCO, CA — (Marketwire) — 07/25/11 — 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the Independent Television Service (), one of the largest sources of funding for independent filmmakers. In recognition of this milestone, ITVS is launching the , a free online film festival running from July 25 to September 23, 2011 in honor of the extraordinary contributions of independent filmmakers to public television.
The 20 unforgettable documentaries in the represent glimpses of the collection of more than 1,000 productions ITVS has supported as the country-s leading provider of independent films for public broadcasting. Each full-length program will stream for free for three days on where viewers will also find a of ITVS-s history, film trailers, clips, interviews, an audience award contest, and more.
“For decades, independent filmmakers have stood as public television-s standard bearers of diversity and innovation, telling untold stories and serving underserved communities,” said Sally Jo Fifer, president and CEO of ITVS. “The Indies Showcase lineup brings together just some of the many storytellers that have engaged the public and helped invigorate our democracy.”
The line-up includes 2003 Academy Award® nominee for Best Documentary Feature, “,” a portrait of longing, identity, and the personal legacy of war by Gail Dolgin and Vicente Franco; 2002 Emmy® winner for Best Documentary, “” by Justine Shapiro and B.Z. Goldberg, which offers a touching and fresh insight into the Middle East conflict through the eyes of seven Palestinian and Israeli children; 2010 Emmy® winner for Outstanding Science and Technology, “,” about a British neurosurgeon, Henry Marsh, who encounters medieval brain surgical procedures in the Ukraine; the 2007 audience favorite and Sundance Official Selection “” by Byron Hurt, a riveting documentary that tackles masculinity, sexism, violence, and homophobia in today-s hip-hop culture; the 2009 George Peabody winner “” by Ian Cheney, Curt Ellis, and Aaron Woolf about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation; “” by Laura Poitras, a 2010 Emmy® nominee for both Best Documentary and Outstanding Investigative Journalism, provides a portrait of Abu Jandal, Osama bin Laden-s former bodyguard, and Salim Hamdan, a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay Prison and the first man to face the controversial military tribunals; and “,” nominee for both a prime-time Emmy® Award for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking and Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature. The documentary, produced by Judy Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, follows Daniel Ellsberg, a leading Vietnam War strategist, who concluded in 1971 that America-s role in the war was based on decades of lies.
To learn more about the complete ITVS Indies Showcase line-up visit
To learn more about ITVS visit
Embedded Video Available:
CONTACT:
Voleine Amilcar
415-356-8383, ext 244
You must be logged in to post a comment Login