Before Girlfriends, or Sex and the City for that matter, there was Living Single.

Khadija, Max, Sinclaire and Regine were four fierce and downright funny friends living in Brooklyn, New York. They helped to shape the perception of young, black women on television in the early 1990s – you know, because not everyone could be Denise Huxtable – and became household names because of it.

One of those women is Kim Fields, whom you may remember as the gold-digging Regine. She’s the host of Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) Lens on Talent, now in its third season, which airs on the channel every Wednesday.

In the series, independent film-makers are profiled, interviewed and their work screened for the audience’s enjoyment. Whether it’s snippets or short films that are given priority, there’s always something on Lens on Talent that will give you a good idea of where the heads of young people making movies in the US are at.

But it’s not just about the burgeoning scene. It’s also about paying homage to the actors, directors, producers and others who paved the way and made it possible for the indie scene to thrive.

Lens on Talent also often has competitions. At the start of this new season (which began in the middle of this month) this film show had a competition that was hosted by Free – the rapper and TV personality of 106&Park fame – and invited hit-making producer Rodney Jerkins, entertainer Leslie “Big Lez” Segar, and fashion designer and stylist Korto Momolu to be the judges.

Three finalists were shortlisted and this week we find out who will take home the coveted prize of being the one to watch this year.

Lens on Talent doesn’t exclusively shine the spotlight on film as fashion and branding is also taken into consideration, but if the past two seasons are anything to go by, this show is a much needed addition to the channel. Original work is punted and innovative styles of film are encouraged and celebrated. The interviews Fields conducts sound more like insightful conversations as opposed to a straight Q&A session.

• Lens on Talent, BET (TopTV, 190), Wednesdays, 8.30pm.

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