Journalist and filmmaker Chris Billing recently talked to Independent Lens about making Lost Sparrow, a deeply personal film about the secrets that killed his brothers and tore his family apart. The film premieres on Independent Lens on Tuesday, November 16 at 10 p.m. on THIRTEEN.

Interview courtesy of Independent Lens. For more interviews and other Independent Lens film content, visit their blog.
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Douglas Chadwick (Photo Credit: Rick Yates)

Inside Thirteen recently spoke with wildlife biologist and writer Douglas Chadwick, author of The Wolverine Way, to de-mystify wolverines and discuss his role in Nature‘s Wolverine: Chasing the Phantom.
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CIRCUS clown Mark Gindick

The journey continues on Circus as the Big Apple Circus makes its first performance stop in Virginia and experiences winter in New York while performing at Lincoln Center.
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Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock in "The Great Game"

Sherlock Holmes returns in Masterpiece‘s final installment of Sherlock, The Great Game.  Known for his quick wits, can Sherlock stop a mad bomber who threatens to murder innocent people?
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From locations you never knew existed to places usually off-limits, the new season of The City Concealed explores a wide range of hidden sites. We’ll visit the birthplace of the jazz speakeasy in Harlem, and check in on the last remaining Greek synagogue in the Lower East Side. We’ll visit the original baseball stadium of the New York Black Yankees of the Negro Leagues, and take you to a circa 1917 fort in the Rockaways. And much more.

New episodes of The City Concealed will be featured each week, beginning Tuesday, November 9.
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Tonight is the premiere of Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian. Independent Lens caught up with filmmaker Neil Diamond to talk about the film and his motivations. Catch the film tonight, November 2, at 10 p.m. on Independent Lens.

Interview courtesy of Independent Lens. For more interviews and other Independent Lens film content, visit their blog.

Filmmaker Neil Diamond

What impact do you hope this film will have?

I hope it will make people question their opinions and beliefs about Native people and perhaps go out and see some of the many films Native people have been making for a number of years now.

What led you to make this film?

The idea for Reel Injun came from questions people asked me about Native people when I first moved to the south to study. Like, did we still live in teepees and ride horses?
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In honor of Election Day, THIRTEEN has a lineup of election-themed programs to keep viewers in the know about the candidates, issues, results and behind-the-scenes happenings of the day.

Here are some highlights of our election coverage:

Tonight at 8 p.m., Antiques Roadshow presents “Politcally Collect,” a salute to the election and the keepsakes of political battles long past. Read More …

The Flying Cortes trapeze troupe

Next week, the Big Apple Circus comes to THIRTEEN in PBS’ new multi-part documentary, Circus.  The film will take viewers behind-the-scenes to explore the unique world of circus performers, including the rigorous training and rehearsals, and the ups and downs of touring, and the exhilaration that accompanies it all.

Circus premieres Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 9 p.m on THIRTEEN.  For more information on the show, check out full episode descriptions.
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Director Doug Pray

Art & Copy debuts on Independent Lens on Tuesday, October 26 at 10 p.m. on THIRTEEN.  Meanwhile, here’s some behind-the-scenes insight from director Doug Pray:

What impact do you hope this film will have?

I hope it will encourage better advertising. Commercial communication is not going to disappear from our environment anytime soon. Ninety-five percent of it is terrible. Can it be improved? Made more inspiring? Funnier? More socially redeeming? Can it be effective in a way that goes beyond just selling a product? The people in Art & Copy believe it can be done, and have, at times, proven so.
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