Enjoy documentaries featured on PBS’s Independent Lens. These screenings offer a space for sharing ideas and making connections that shape our understanding of the world.
The Inquisitor
Tuesday, March 3, 6:00-8:00pm
Meet Barbara Jordan, a civil rights icon whose powerful voice masked a complex private life. 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. Sign-up now.
The Librarians
Screening & Panel Discussion: Friday, April 24, 6:00-8:30pm
Encore Screening: Saturday, April 25, 3:00-4:30pm
The Librarians takes viewers from Texas to Florida and beyond where local libraries have become unexpected battlegrounds in a national struggle over parental control, intellectual freedom and democracy itself. 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. A panel discussion with local advocates and experts will follow the Friday screening. No panel discussion following the Saturday encore screening. Panelists include:
- Jennifer Hovanec, La Grange Public Library Executive Director
- Joanna Marek, Spring Avenue Elementary School Librarian
- Joyce Hagen-McIntosh, Freedom to Read Foundation Assistant Program Director
- Kristin Pekoll, Illinois Library Association Conference and Continuing Education Manager
Sign up for the screening and panel on April 24 or the encore screening (no panel) on April 25
The Tallest Dwarf
Monday, May 4, 10:00-11:30am
A filmmaker seeks belonging in the little people community and explores dwarfism within her 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. Sign-up now.
The Grocery List Show
Thursday, May 28, 7:00-8:30pm
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. Sign-up now.