| 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 2025-26 season. |
|
|
| Looking to partner with MPT on an Indie Lens Pop-Up screening? Scroll down for more information! |
|
| The Librarians
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.
The Librarians premiered on MPT on February 9. Learn more about the film and stream for free here. |
|
 |
| The Inquisitor
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.
The Inquisitor premiered on MPT on February 23 at 10pm. Learn more about the film and stream for free here. |
|
|
| The Tallest Dwarf
The film follows filmmaker Julie Wyman as she searches for her place in the little people community and unpacks dwarfism’s impact on 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.
The Tallest Dwarf premiered on MPT on April 6. Learn more about the film and stream for free here. |
|
|
| The Grocery List Show
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.
The Grocery List Show is now available for free streaming! Learn more about the film and how it watch it here. |
|
|
|
Coming up next from Indie Lens Pop-Up with MPT... |
On Friday, May 29 at 7pm, MPT is closing out the 2026 Indie Lens Pop-Up season at home, with a special presentation of The Grocery List Show. Together, we will watch three episodes from the series, followed by a cooking demo from local, family-owned Rocco's Market & Deli in Hampstead, MD. Not only will you learn more about Rocco's signature Italian recipes, you'll get to try each dish and leave with a recipe card and shopping list, showing you how to source authentic Italian ingredients right here in Maryland. RSVP TODAY! |
|
|
Are you interested in partnering with MPT to present an Indie Lens Pop-up film? |
|
Maryland Public Television (MPT) has been a screening partner of the Indie Lens Pop-Up series for 10 years. Inspired by the documentaries featured on PBS’ Independent Lens, Indie Lens Pop-Up events strengthen community connections and provide free, public spaces for everyone to meet, talk, and take action. MPT provides the resources and the reach to support the promotion and planning of screenings and engagement activities that highlight the films featured in the series. Let us help you bring a valuable event to your local audience! |
|
MPT Presents: The Librarians
On Wednesday, January 28 at 7pm, MPT hosted a special sneak peek of The Librarians, followed by a discussion about the role of librarians in their respective communities, information literacy and access, and some of the major issues facing public and academic libraries. Thank you to our partners from: Maryland Library Association, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Maryland State Library Agency, Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Charles County Public Library, and Maryland Center for Media Literacy and Education. |
|
|
|
|
MPT Presents: The Inquisitor
In celebration of Black History Month, MPT and WHUT hosted a special preview screening of The Inquisitor. The film highlights the legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, shining a light on how her public influence shaped U.S. politics, while exploring the complexities of her personal identity. While Jordan’s political legacy is the center of The Inquisitor, the film also looks at her personal life, exploring Jordan's intersectional identity navigating a landscape of politics and discrimination. After watching a one-hour cutdown of the film, attendees enjoyed an engaging fireside chat to reflect on Barbara Jordan’s life, discuss the current journalistic landscape, and vision cast for the future between panelists: Dr. Kimberly Moffitt, Dean of Howard University's School of Communications and Dr. Christine McWhorter, Assistant Professor of Broadcast Journalism at Howard University.
|
|
|
MPT Presents: The Tallest Dwarf
In partnership with Indie Lens Pop-Up and Little People of America, MPT hosted a special virtual presentation of The Tallest Dwarf on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Following the film presentation, our community partner hosted a discussion amongst friends and neighbors who are members of District 3, Chapter 17 of Little People of America. District 3 of LPA supports individuals in Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with Chapter 17 (The MarValous Chapter) serving Maryland, District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia. LPA provides social interaction, parent and peer support, medical support and education, scholarships and grants. Our members range from newborns to senior citizens, both little people and average height. Dwarfism spans all religions, ethnicities, and economic levels. All are welcome! Learn more: https://www.lpaonline.org/ |
|
|
|
| SPECIAL FEATURE: National Library Week
MPT partnered with public library branches all over the state of Maryland to present The Librarians throughout National Library Week. We are so grateful for the work of our public library partners and the community patrons who support them! |
| 2026 Screening Schedule:
- Tuesday, February 3 at 6pm - The Librarians Screening hosted by Calvert County Public Library | Save The Date
- Sunday, February 22 at 1pm - The Librarians Screening hosted by Montgomery County Public Library | Save The Date
- Monday, April 20 at 5:30pm - The Librarians Screening hosted by Charles County Public Library | Save the Date
- Tuesday, April 21 at 2pm - The Librarians Screening & Discussion hosted by Kent County Public Library | Save the Date
- Wednesday, April 22 at 2pm - The Librarians Screening hosted by Baltimore County Public Library | Save the Date
- Friday, April 24 at 3pm - The Librarians Screening hosted by Montgomery County Public Library | Save the Date
- Saturday, April 25 at 1pm - The Librarians Screening hosted by Montgomery County Public Library | Save the Date
- Saturday, April 25 at 2pm - The Librarians Screening hosted by Anne Arundel County Public Library | Save the Date
|
|
|
|
| About Independent Lens: 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 Peabodyacclaimed 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. Learn more at 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 f ilmmakers 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, Park Foundation, and Wyncote Foundation. Learn more at itvs.org. |
|
|
|
|
