How It Feels to Be Free poster
Where to stream

How It Feels to Be Free

20212h MovieDocumentary

Tells the inspiring story of how six iconic African American female entertainers – Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier – challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating…

DirectorYoruba Richen
WriterRuth Feldstein
ProducersLacey Schwartz Delgado·Elliott Halpern

Where to watch

PBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelKanopyKanopyHooplaHoopla
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Yoruba Richen

ALAbbey Lincoln
Abbey Lincoln
Self (archival footage)
NSNina Simone
Nina Simone
Self (archival footage)
DCDiahann Carroll
Diahann Carroll
Self (archival footage)
PGPam Grier
Pam Grier
Self (archival footage)
LHLena Horne
Lena Horne
Self (archival footage)
CTCicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson
Self (archival footage)

More from Abbey Lincoln · Lead actress

Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible
1966 · 7.6
American Playhouse
American Playhouse
1982 · 6.6
All in the Family
All in the Family
1971 · 7.8
The Name of the Game
The Name of the Game
1968 · 7.0
Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues
1990 · 6.5
Nothing But a Man
Nothing But a Man
1964 · 7.4
For Love of Ivy
For Love of Ivy
1968 · 6.2
Short Walk to Daylight
Short Walk to Daylight
1972 · 6.7
See all fromAbbey Lincoln

More from Nina Simone · Co-star actress

Nina: A Historical Perspective
Nina: A Historical Perspective
1970
Nina Simone Resonances at the Paris Pantheon
Nina Simone Resonances at the Paris Pantheon
2024
Nina Simone - I Loves You Porgy (Live 1961-62)
Nina Simone - I Loves You Porgy (Live 1961-62)
2010 · 10.0
Nina Simone: Live in '65 & '68
Nina Simone: Live in '65 & '68
2008 · 10.0
The Giverny Document (Single Channel)
The Giverny Document (Single Channel)
2019
Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.1
Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.1
2006
See all fromNina Simone

More from Yoruba Richen · Director

American Experience
American Experience
1988 · 6.5
The New York Times Presents
The New York Times Presents
2020 · 7.0
The Fall of Diddy
The Fall of Diddy
2025 · 6.5
High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
2021 · 7.0
Crooked Lines
Crooked Lines
2018
Black and Missing
Black and Missing
2021 · 5.2
American Reckoning
American Reckoning
2022 · 8.0
American Factory: A Conversation with the Obamas
American Factory: A Conversation with the Obamas
2019 · 5.5
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks
2022 · 5.7
The Green Book: Guide to Freedom
The Green Book: Guide to Freedom
2019 · 7.8
See all fromYoruba Richen

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How It Feels to Be Free — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams How It Feels to Be Free?

How It Feels to Be Free is streaming on PBS Documentaries, Kanopy and Hoopla in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is How It Feels to Be Free on Netflix?

No, How It Feels to Be Free is not on Netflix in United States as of September 2026. It's currently on PBS Documentaries and Kanopy.

Is How It Feels to Be Free on Amazon Prime Video?

How It Feels to Be Free isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch How It Feels to Be Free for free?

How It Feels to Be Free is available to stream free (with ads) on Kanopy and Hoopla in United States.