International Award Winning Documentary Filmmakers
The best documentary films captivate audiences with their intriguing stories and unique subjects. They often showcase topics that affect the world as a whole such as world wars, economics and geographical issues.
Man on Wire chronicles Philippe Petit's audacious high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974, and is a captivating example of human courage and determination.
Alex Gibney
With an Academy Award under his belt, Alex Gibney is one of the most recognizable names in documentary filmmaking. His long list of films and series focuses on everything from corporate malfeasance to public figures’ moral ambiguities. Gibney’s films are a testament to the power of investigative journalism.
Some of his most well-known works include Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. However, he has also directed some documentaries that focus on specific individuals and their struggles. His film Grizzly Man follows the life of a grizzly bear enthusiast.
Another of his films, Totally Under Control, provides an in-depth look at the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. This documentary is a sobering reminder of how important transparency and action are in these types of situations. Gibney’s latest project is a portrait of singer-songwriter Paul Simon. The movie draws on interviews with Simon and other important figures in his life to tell a fascinating story.
Rory Kennedy
Kennedy is the co-founder and president of Moxie Firecracker Films, a Brooklyn-based production company. Her films deal with some of America's most pressing issues, including poverty, political corruption, domestic abuse, drug addiction and AIDS. Her films have been seen on HBO, A&E, Lifetime, TLC and The Oxygen Network. They've also been featured at the Sundance Film Festival.
Her work often involves interviewing people who have suffered tremendously. This can be emotionally challenging for both parties. However, she says that it's important for those affected to be a part of the filmmaking process, while being protected from additional trauma. This includes arranging for therapists on-set for support.
One of Rory's most recent documentary films, DOWNFALL: The Case Against Boeing, is a riveting look at the tragedy that resulted in two plane crashes involving the same type of airplane. She reveals the negligence and corporate greed that contributed to these tragedies in the film. In 2022, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on Netflix shortly thereafter.
Brett Morgan
Director Brett Morgan has a unique approach to documentary filmmaking. He prefers to tell stories that are rooted in the zeitgeist and is not afraid to go off the beaten path of traditional documentaries. His films often explore sociology, political history and philosophy. His films have received many awards and nominations.
He has directed documentaries about the musician Kurt Cobain, primatologist Jane Goodall, and Hollywood producer Robert Evans. His most recent work is an IMAX-sized documentary about David Bowie called Moonage Daydream. He uses archival footage to create a kaleidoscopic experience of music and has created a film that is not only entertaining but also informative.
He is a filmmaker who has a passion for spaceflight and believes that it is important to educate younger generations about the legacy of the Space Shuttle program. His resume is extensive and ranges from short-form programs highlighting the philanthropic efforts of Fortune 500 companies to campaigns for nationally recognized non-profits. He has a strong commitment to social justice and works tirelessly to promote equality for all. He has won numerous awards for his work and has a passion for the craft of filmmaking.
Stanley Nelson
Stanley Nelson has premiered more documentary films at the Sundance Film Festival than any other filmmaker, and has won several prestigious awards. He has a strong commitment to supporting young filmmakers of color, and through his non-profit organization, Half Nelson Productions, he has mentored many of them. Nelson has also created a program called Firelight Documentary Lab, which provides technical training and funding to emerging filmmakers.
Nelson first became interested in cinema when he saw the 1971 movie Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. It influenced him to seek out stories that would evoke reaction in his audiences. He wanted to create productions that would highlight injustices and calm pain.
He has spent more than three decades telling stories of African Americans, including a trio of Peabody-winning films about the Civil Rights movement. His film The Murder of Emmett Till uncovered new eyewitness testimony and helped bring about a reopening of the case, and Jonestown: Life and Death of the Peoples Temple shed light on one of the most tragic religious sects in recent history. His work has won him numerous awards, including a National Humanities Medal and a MacArthur “Genius” Grant.
Werner Herzog
One of Germany’s most exceptional filmmakers, Herzog has a sixth sense when it comes to unearthing and displaying human emotion. He’s also an excellent interviewer and carries himself with a wry sense of humor that he often spouts off-handedly in his work.
While Herzog has directed films starring actors and staged operas, he’s best known for his documentaries. 2005’s Grizzly Man, the story of bear enthusiast Timothy Treadwell in Alaska, and 2010’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams, an exploration of the prehistoric Chauvet cave in France are among his most well-known works.
Other Herzog documentaries include Encounters at the End of the World, which highlights Antarctica’s beauty; Into the Abyss, a sombre examination of a Texas murder case; and Lo and Behold, a reflection on the Internet’s impact on humans. Herzog is a natural when it comes to exploring the psyche, and many of his films focus on people with twisted personalities. In My Best Friend, Herzog romanticizes Klaus Kinski’s insanity during his tumultuous working relationship with the actor.
