PBS Teams With Indie Film Producer ITVS for Independent Lens Creator Lab, Inaugural Lineup Revealed (EXCLUSIVE)

Indie film co-producer ITVS and PBS‘s “Independent Lens” has revealed the lineup of content creators selected for their inaugural production fund and accelerator program, The Independent Lens Creator Lab.

Per PBS and ITVS, the new initiative is a six-month program offering up to $36,000 in production funding, mentorship, and industry support.”

Throughout the Creator Lab, participants will produce up to 12 vertical videos for “Independent Lens” and PBS social media platforms, which will debut in June on the PBS Documentaries YouTube Channel, with additional pieces to air throughout the year.

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The program will see content creators “meet regularly in virtual development workshops for creative, production, and post-production, receiving ITVS’ best-in-class support to shape concepts, provide feedback on scripts and video drafts, and manage all aspects of uploading and community management.”

ITVS currently has more than 80 active projects in production. In March, the co-producer launched the PBS Documentaries YouTube Channel, in partnership with PBS Digital Studios, which is described as “an expansive, diverse collection of documentaries across all forms of nonfiction storytelling” that aims “to serve public audiences through increased accessibility while building a centralized, scalable hub.”

“As public media continues to evolve, ITVS is expanding its commitment to independent storytellers in all forms,” ITVS senior vice president of programming and production Royd Chung said. “We are excited to welcome this dynamic group of talented creators whose work is shaping the future of bold, impactful nonfiction storytelling. It’s vital for us to uplift and amplify their voices on vertical video platforms, where more than half of all Gen Z and millennial Americans get their information.”

See below for ITVS and PBS’ lineup of participants for the inaugural The Independent Lens Creator Lab, with descriptions of the creators provided by ITVS:

Rida Ali is a curious and intentional storyteller creating content on South Asia, decolonized history, and culture. Having moved frequently, she brings an adventurous and global perspective to her work. Rida studied global studies and media at New York University and completed a master’s degree in South Asian studies in London. She is based in Mountain View, California.

Gracie J is a NYC-born celebrity nail artist, traditionally trained in nail tech and a self-taught artist, known for her role as lead nail stylist for TNT’s television series “CLAWS.” Gracie uses her platform to bridge the gap between creative and talent, curating conversation-worthy designs her audience and clients have grown to love. She is based in Brooklyn.

Jason Chu is a prominent voice in the national Asian American conversation, speaking on history and racial justice through music, poetry, and content. His videos on history and pop culture regularly go viral. He served on the LA Mayor’s Office 1871 Memorial Subcommittee, and is the 2025-2026 guest curator at the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles. Chu is based in South Pasadena, California.

Mark Kendall is the co-founder of CoolCoolCool Productions with Bill Worley, where they use comedy to encourage civic engagement and community building. CoolCoolCool’s videos were named Best Reason to Laugh by Atlanta Magazine in 2021. His comedy work has appeared on NPR, Comedy Central, HBO Max, and Adult Swim. He is based in Atlanta.

Fernando Hurtado is a journalist and the creator of “In The Hyphen,” a YouTube channel covering U.S. Latinos. Prior to that, Hurtado was a manager of digital video for NBCUniversal. He was named to LA TV Week’s 40 Under 40 and is an adjunct instructor of visual journalism at the University of
Southern California. Hurtado is based in West Hollywood.

Kyle Offutt is a travel-focused content creator behind “Kyle Goes Off,” known for documenting life on the road with a mix of adventure, minimalism, and storytelling. His work often highlights van life, community, connection, outdoor exploration, and authentic experiences, blending cinematic visuals with a laid-back, introspective style. Offutt is based in Wichita, Kansas.