| Welcome to Indie Lens Pop-up! |
Indie Lens Pop-Up is a neighborhood series that brings people together—virtually and in-person—for film screenings and community-driven conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS’s Independent Lens, Indie Lens Pop-Up brings people together to discuss what matters most, from newsworthy topics and social issues to family and community relationships. On this page, find more information about MPT"s 2024-25 season. |
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Scroll past the film section to find screening events in your area... |
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| Free For All: The Public Library
How public libraries shaped the country and continue to be a sanctuary for Americans everywhere.
MPT partnered with over 20 public libraries and resources organizations to present Free For All to Maryland communities. Check out our list of screening events below to see just how many we did!
Learn more about the film and how it watch it here. |
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| Bike Vessel
After several health crises, a 70-year-old man embarks on a transformative long-distance cycling trip with his son.
Community Partner Highlight: Black People Ride Bikes, a Baltimore-based cycling and advocacy organization, whose goal is to make cycling more accessible regardless of socioeconomic background, ethnicity, or experience level.
Learn more about the film and how it watch it here. |
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| Home Court
A coming-of-age story highlighting Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball prodigy in Southern California whose life intensifies as recruitment heats up. As she overcomes injury as well as racial and class differences between her home and private school worlds, in peer groups, and against rival schools, Ashley strives to become her own person and leave a legacy behind.
Learn more about the film and how it watch it here. |
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| We Want The Funk
A syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, spanning from African, soul, and early jazz roots, to its rise into the public consciousness. Featuring James Brown's dynamism, the extraterrestrial funk of George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic, transformed girl group Labelle, and Fela Kuti's Afrobeat, the story also traces funk's influences on both new wave and hip-hop.
Learn more about the film and how it watch it here. |
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WE WANT THE FUNK! |
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On March 28, 2025, MPT hosted a free screening of WE WANT THE FUNK!, followed by a live performance from local favorites, funk/soul/R&B artists Joe Keyes & The Late Bloomer Band. The rhythms and storytelling kept the crowd captivated all night! Check out MPT's YouTube channel for some highlights of the performance, live from MPT Studios. The event brought together an audience that crossed generations, sparking connection and convesation amongst folks from different walks of life. |
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| Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's
Alzheimer’s disease transforms the lives of three families who confront the challenges of becoming primary caregivers. The third and final installment of the Matter of Mind series.
Learn more about the film and how to watch it here. |
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| BONUS CONTENT:
As part of our Indie Lens Pop-Up engagement initiative, MPT partnered with several community organizations who provide guidance and support for caregivers and patients for a resource fair event. Attendees collected tangible resoureces to apply to their unique situation! At the event, we screened the film and facilitated a panel discussion amongst our partners, providing an intimate environment for attendees to seek support and community.
One of the engagement goals of the filmmakers was to build support, understanding, and community for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. MPT decided to focus on this theme and gather messages of hope, love, and understanding for caregivers. Visit our website linked below to read these inspirational messages! You'll also find a myriad of resources from our partners. |
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Screening Events - by region
Check back often for updates! |
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VIRTUAL - AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE!
- Thursday, March 20 @ 12pm: Home Court Lunch & Learn Screening & Community Discussion - VIRTUAL | RSVP
- Tuesday, May 13 @ 7pm: Free For All: The Public Library Discussion Group w/ Maryland Libraries Together - VIRTUAL | RSVP
- Tuesday, May 27 @ 11am: Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's Screening & Discussion w/ Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) - VIRTUAL | RSVP
WESTERN MARYLAND
- Tuesday, April 8 @ 5pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Frostburg Library | RSVP
- Friday, April 11 @ 12pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ South Cumberland Library | RSVP
- Tuesday, May 13 @ 5:30pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Washington County Free Library | RSVP
- Wednesday, May 21 @ 5pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Ruth Enlow Library | RSVP
CENTRAL MARYLAND
- Wednesday, February 19 @ 7pm: Bike Vessel Screening @ Randallstown Library | RSVP
- Monday, March 24 @ 6pm: WE WANT THE FUNK! Screening @ BCPL - Loch Raven Branch | RSVP
- Friday, March 28 @ 7pm: WE WANT THE FUNK! Screening & Concert @ Maryland Public Television | RSVP - seats limited!
- Thursday, April 3 @ 6pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Fallston Library | RSVP
- Thursday, April 3 @ 7pm: WE WANT THE FUNK! Screening & Filmmaker Q&A with Stanley Nelson @ The Parkway Theatre | RSVP HERE | view event flyer HERE
- Saturday, April 5 @ 2pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Abingdon Library | RSVP
- Wednesday, April 9 @ 2pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ BCPL - Pikesville Branch | RSVP
- Wednesday, April 9 @ 6:30pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ BCPL - Cockeysville Branch | RSVP
- Wednesday, April 9 @ 6pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Enoch Pratt Free Library | RSVP
- Wednesday, April 9 @ 6:30pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Joppa Library | RSVP
- Saturday, April 12 @ 1pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Edgewood Library | RSVP
- Saturday, April 26 @ 2:30pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Aberdeen Library | RSVP
- Saturday, April 26 @ 10:30am: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Norrisville Library | RSVP
- Wednesday, April 30 @ 6pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Bel Air Library | RSVP
- Monday, May 5 @ 7pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Howard County Public Library, Central Branch | RSVP
- Wednesday, May 7 @ 6pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library | RSVP
- Monday, June 2 @ 6pm: Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's Screening @ East Columbia 50+ Center | RSVP
- Wednesday, June 4 @ 6pm: Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's @ Maryland Public Television | RSVP
CAPITAL REGION
- Tuesday, April 29 @ 5pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Fairmount Heights Branch Library | RSVP
EASTERN SHORE
- Tuesday, April 8 @ 2:00pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Ocean City Library | RSVP
- Tuesday, April 8 @ 6:30pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Cecil County Public Library, North East Branch | RSVP
- Friday, April 11 @ 9am: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Talbot County Free Library | RSVP
- Friday, April 11 @ 2pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Leonardtown Library | RSVP
- Saturday, April 12 @ 11am: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Queen Anne's County Library, Kent Island Branch | RSVP
- Saturday, May 24 @ 1pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Charlotte Hall Library | RSVP
SOUTHERN MAYRLAND
- Tuesday, February 25 @ 5pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ Calvert Library Prince Frederick | RSVP
- Saturday, April 12 @ 2pm: Free For All: The Public Library Screening @ La Plata Branch Library | RSVP
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Did you attend an Indie Lens Pop-up Screening Event? |
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| Please consider taking our event survey! We want to hear your thoughts. Surveys help us collect meaningful feedback on the impact of our community events. They allow us to continue to make improvements for you - our audience! Click the link below associated with the film you watched and tell us about your experience. Complete the survey and enter to win a $50 Visa gift card.
Free For All: The Public Library: Event Survey Bike Vessel: Event Survey Home Court: Event Survey We Want The Funk: Event Survey Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer's: Event Survey |
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If you took any photos or videos at an Indie Lens Pop-Up event, please consider sharing with us! Our public album is linked below: |
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| About Independent Lens Independent Lens is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series. With founding executive producer Lois Vossen, the series has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, Independent Lens is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Park Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS app. For more information, visit pbs.org/independentlens.
About ITVS Independent Television Services (ITVS) is the largest co-producer of independent documentaries in the United States. For more than 30 years the San Francisco non-profit has funded and partnered with documentary filmmakers to produce and distribute untold stories. ITVS incubates and co-produces these award-winning titles and premieres them on our Emmy® Award-winning PBS series, INDEPENDENT LENS. ITVS titles appear on PBS, WORLD, NETA, and can be streamed on various digital platforms including the PBS app. ITVS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Wyncote Foundation. For more information, visit itvs.org. |
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