THE STORY IN US

 PBS Digital Studios & PBS Creative Voices Ignite Filmmakers Program Launch New Anthology Series, “THE STORY IN US”

Celebrating Global Storytelling Traditions

THE STORY IN US serves as a vibrant tapestry of global traditions, from Navajo (Diné) weaving and West African griots to the visual eloquence of Deaf theatre. Each 10-to-15-minute film offers a character-driven deep dive into a culture’s storytelling tradition, told faithfully by members of that community. This approach offers an intimate and authentic perspective on stories of culture and heritage. By spotlighting these diverse narratives, the docuseries reveals how the stories we tell, and the ways we tell them, shape our collective resilience and hope.

About the Producers

Lynne Robinson is an award-winning producer, director, and founder of Black Robin Media, a television, museum, and digital media production company. In addition to the 2025 PBS documentary Chautauqua at 150: Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise, Black Robin Media’s recent productions include the 2024 Audible Original series On the Line with Daymond John; Maryland Public Television’s Emmy-nominated 2024 documentary Ben’s Ten: Chattel Slavery on Maryland’s Eastern Shore; and the 2021 Smithsonian Channel documentary Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters on Amazon Prime. Robinson’s recent works also include directing the 2023 BET documentary BLACK+ICONIC: Style Gods hosted by Billy Porter, and the 2021 Audible Originals Daymond John: Founding FUBU; as well as executive producing the  2022 Maryland Public Television and Firelight Films documentaries Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom and Becoming Frederick Douglass, which both aired on PBS.

About The Ignite Filmmakers Program,

One of two programs under the PBS Creative Voices Initiative,  the Ignite Filmmaker Program is a hybrid 12-month program for early-career filmmakers who have experienced barriers to entering the media industry. Filmmakers have been credited as a producer or director on at least two short or feature documentary films, or unscripted/non-fiction films that have been distributed publicly through a third party (accepted at a film festival, streaming/television broadcast or public event). It is an opportunity for filmmakers to spend a year developing their career path and exploring the process of content production for public media. Whether the filmmakers have a current project underway or are looking to start a new one, the PBS Ignite Filmmakers Program provides tools that help support participants on their professional journey.

About PBS Digital Studios

 PBS Digital Studios produces original, digital programming designed to engage, enlighten, and entertain online audiences. The PBS Digital Studios network has more than 35 million subscribers on YouTube, generating an average of 50 million views each month. Since 2012, it has launched over 120 original series and has accumulated over five billion lifetime views on YouTube. Series include the Webby Award-winning BE SMART and SOUND FIELD, as well as popular series such as WEATHERED, EONS, MONSTRUM and SPACE TIME. For more information on PBS Digital Studios, visit PBS.org.

About PBS

PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV — including a 24/7 channel — online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on X, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices.  Specific  program  information  and  updates  for  press  are  available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on X.