This February, join POV in celebrating the richness of the Black experience with our special BLACK HISTORY MONTH collection. Dive into the deep roots and legacy of the Gullah/Geechee heritage in After Sherman, witness the journey and aspirations of African students at MIT in Brief Tender Light, and be moved by the vibrant resilience of queer and trans youth of color in New York City as depicted in Pier Kids. Each film in this collection offers a unique and insightful perspective on Black history, identity, and culture.
In our second collection, CREATIVITY IN CAREGIVING: LIVING WITH COMPASSION, we explore the intricate narratives of caregiving, woven together with themes of love, memory, and the power of imagination. Discover the heartfelt mother-daughter bond amidst dementia in Wisdom Gone Wild, experience the innovative artistry tackling Alzheimer’s in Our Time Machine, and follow the poignant story of a refugee's journey to recreate a sense of home in A Broken House. These films, rich in emotional depth and creativity, underscore the transformative impact of care in our everyday lives.
At POV, we believe in the power of story and its universal accessibility. That's why you can stream all of the films on the POV website and the PBS App. For more insights, exclusive content, and filmmaker interviews, connect with us on social media.
We value your perspective. After you watch, feel free to share your insights, accolades, and ideas for what you'd love to see next at [email protected].
Brief Tender Light
At the elite MIT, America’s premier technological university, four African students strive to graduate into agents of change for their home countries. But what changes come from living in two different worlds?
After Sherman
A meditative visual essay, join filmmaker Jon-Sesrie Goff as he explores his Gullah/Geechie roots against the backdrop of generational trauma and America’s violent past.
Pier Kids
In the heart of NYC, homeless queer and trans youth of color reclaim Christopher Street Pier, weaving bonds of friendship and chosen families as they strive for autonomy.
Are You Down?
Celebrate the life and work of Jamaican-American sculptor Michael Richards. Are You Down? details the spirit of an artist and the lasting impressions he made on those around him.
I'm Free Now, You Are Free
In 1978, Black liberationist Debbie Africa was 22 years old, nine months pregnant, and one month into a 40 year prison sentence. Decades later, her son Mike Jr., born in a prison cell, tells us the full story of his parents’ love and their quest for freedom.
POV Shorts: Water Work
Two stories explore themes of memory, devastation, and resiliency through Detroit and Canarsie's unique relationships to water.
Shut Up and Paint
Titus Kaphar creates intense emotional, Black-centered experiences with his paintings. Will an unbending art market understand his message?
You Can't Stop Spirit
Dive into the vibrant world of Mardi Gras with The New Orleans Baby Doll maskers! Uncover the rich history of this centuries-old tradition that challenges and redefines notions of gender and sexual identity.
Wisdom Gone Wild(through 2/18)
Embark on a warm and heartfelt visual journey with filmmaker Rea Tajiri as she turns the lens towards her own mother, a 93-year-old woman grappling with dementia. Wisdom Gone Wild explores the profound meaning of compassion and caregiving.
Our Time Machine
Through a haunting, magical, autobiographical stage performance featuring life-size mechanical puppets, a father and son confront mortality and the circle of life. Our Time Machine is both a moving family drama and a technical wonder.
A Broken House
What does a home become when you cannot return to it? Artist Mohamad Hafez, a Syrian refugee, attempts to answer this question by creating detailed miniatures of his old life.
Life in Miniature
Discover the grandeur of life in a compact yet powerful format! Dive into the enchanting world of creativity with POV Shorts: Life in Miniature. This inspiring exploration finds beauty in the everyday.
Chilly and Milly
Delve into the brilliant and deeply emotional world of Chilly and Milly. This animated gem explores the profound bond between Milly, a dedicated wife and mother, and her chronically ill husband, Chilly.
Sol in the Garden
Embarking on a journey of redemption, Sol, freed after 16 years of incarceration, discovers a community gardening collective in East Oakland. Witness the transformative power of nurturing plants and, in turn, oneself in Sol in the Garden.
The Body is a House of Familiar Rooms
Step into the visually inventive world of The Body is a House of Familiar Rooms, offering a unique perspective on life with chronic pain. Explore the intricate relationship between our physical bodies and emotional psyche.
Our free resources are crafted with a genuine focus on communities, classrooms, and the natural curiosity within us all. Formulated by dedicated educators, community leaders, and knowledgeable librarians, these assets provide a range of activities, reading material, guidance for facilitation, and thoughtful discussion prompts to enable tangible steps towards impactful change. Explore our comprehensive resources to deepen your grasp of the narratives and themes surfacing in our highlighted titles for the month:
Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, Reva & David Logan Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Perspective Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding comes from Nancy Blachman and David desJardins, Bertha Foundation, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Charitable Trust, Park Foundation, Sage Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Chris and Nancy Plaut, Abby Pucker, Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee and public television viewers. POV is presented by a consortium of public television stations, including KQED San Francisco, WGBH Boston and THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG.
