Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michael Sheen, Guy Pearce and More Topline October's Reel 13 Indies on THIRTEEN

Philip Seymour Hoffman, currently starring in "The Master," kicks off October's independent films on Reel 13 with his 2003 "Owning Mahowny," also starring Minnie Driver and John Hurt.

"Animal Kingdom" (with Guy Pearce and Joel Edgerton), "Between Notes" and "Heartlands" (with Michael Sheen) fill out the Independent roster for the rest of the month.

Every Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m., viewers can catch a Classic hosted by film historian Neal Gabler, followed by an Indie, hosted by Richard Peña.

The evening concludes with a Short selected by visitors to Reel13.org who vote for their favorite of three shorts every week.

October 6

"Dark Victory" (1939) Dir: Edmund Goulding
Bette Davis as an heiress with only months to live, embarking on a social whirl. With Humphrey Bogart and George Brent.

"Owning Mahowny" (2003) Dir: Richard Kwietniowski
Philip Seymour Hoffman as a bank manager with a gambling habit, based on a true story about the largest one-man bank fraud in Canada. With Minnie Driver and John Hurt.

October 13

"The Searchers" (1956) Dir: John Ford
John Wayne as a Confederate veteran searching for a kidnapped girl. With Natalie Wood, Jeffrey Hunter, and Vera Miles.

"Between Notes" (2010) Dir: Christopher Grissom
A contemporary musical about a depressed musician who meets a girl who changes his life. With Summer Ames, Shelby Cook and Brittany Joyner.

October 20

"The Unforgiven" (1960) Dir: John Huston
A Texas woman and her eldest son fight Kiowa Indians over an adopted daughter. With Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy and Lillian Gish.

"Animal Kingdom" (2010) Dir: David Michôd
A 17-year-old boy's bid for survival in a family of criminals. With James Frecheville, Guy Pearce and Joel Edgerton

October 27

"Rain Man" (1988) Dir: Barry Levinson
A wheeler-dealer (Tom Cruise) meets his brother (Dustin Hoffman), an institutionalized autistic-savant and heir to $3 million.

"Heartlands" (2002) Dir: Damien O'Donnell
Michael Sheen is an Englishman stunned to learn of his wife's affair with the captain of his dart team. With Mark Addy and Jim Carter.

WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations. For 50 years, THIRTEEN has been making the most of the rich resources and passionate people of New York and the world, reaching millions of people with on-air and online programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites students of all ages to have fun while learning.

Reel 13 is funded by the Sy Syms Foundation, the Henry Nias Foundation, and the Rubin Museum of Art.

David Horn is executive producer. Bob Morris is senior producer. Colleen McHugh is associate producer. Kevin Alexander is production assistant.

Visit Reel 13 Online at http://www.thirteen.org/sites/reel13/ for additional information.

New York's WNET is America's flagship public media outlet, bringing quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. The parent company of public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Need to Know, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJ Today and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus.