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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

michaellouismerrill
Lhakpa Sherpa
Documentary Filmmaking
Mount Everest
Women's Rights
Lucy Walker
Martha Stewart
Nepal
Telemarketing
Twin Flames Universe
Mountain Queen, the Summits Of La Cpa Sherpa
Stax Records
2022 Everest Summit
Fraternal Order Of Police
The Jinx
Robert Durst
Jim Henson
David Beckham
Quiet On Set: the Dark Side Of Kids TV
Nickelodeon
Toronto International Film Festival

Mike and Ken talk to award-winning documentary filmmakers about their art, their subjects, and their process.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes282Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Latest Episodes

There are power couples… and then there is Juma Xipaia and Hugo Loss. As illustrated in Richard Ladkani’s (“Sea of Shadows”) riveting, urgent, and Oscar-shortlisted documentary “Yanuni,” the two are fierce defenders of the Amazon rainforest engaged i... more

Pavel “Pasha” Talankin may seem like just another primary school events coordinator, but when he is forced by Vladimir Putin’s new dictates to not only implement a pro-war curriculum but to record teachers delivering its absurd, self-contradictory no... more

It took 20 years of asking by an Oscar-winning filmmaker, but famed investigative reporter Seymour Hersh finally said, “Yes.” The result is "Cover-Up", a revelatory new documentary portrait of Hersh’s fascinating life and career by Academy Award-winn... more

Welcome once again to our Anne-ual Top Docs Holiday Special featuring the one-and-only Anne Thompson, Editor-at-Large at IndieWire! Anne joins Mike and Ken to tackle this year’s Best Feature Documentary Oscar Shortlist, released on December 16th. One... more

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Recent Guests

Rob Reiner
Renowned director discussing the documentary on Albert Brooks
Episode: Our Most Popular Pods, Season 4
Lucy Walker
Documentary filmmaker discussing Lhakpa Sherpa
Episode: Our Most Popular Pods, Season 4
Sam Lipman-Stern
Filmmaker focused on the telemarketing industry
Episode: Our Most Popular Pods, Season 4
Adam Bhala Lough
Filmmaker collaborating on the telemarketing documentary
Episode: Our Most Popular Pods, Season 4
Shane Boris
Filmmaker discussing Hollywoodgate and Taliban encounters
Episode: Our Most Popular Pods, Season 4
Violet Du Feng
Emmy-winning filmmaker and director of The Dating Game
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: "The Dating Game" with Violet Du Feng & Joanna Natasegara
Joanna Natasegara
Academy Award-winning producer and founder of Violet Films
Violet Films
Episode: "The Dating Game" with Violet Du Feng & Joanna Natasegara
Clayton Davis
Senior Awards Editor at Variety
Variety
Episode: Academy Awards Breakdown 2025 with Clayton Davis
Ema Ryan Yamazaki
Director of "Instruments of a Beating Heart"
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: "Instruments of a Beating Heart" with Ema Ryan Yamazaki

Hosts

Mike Merrill
Host of Top Docs
Ken Jacobson
Host of Top Docs

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Two Brilliant Guys

    It is clear from their insightful questions and their knowledge of the subject matter that these guys know intimately the process of docmaking and can take the listener to a deeper understanding of the challenges filmmakers face and why they make the creative choices to meet them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deadfun.
    United States4 years ago
  • Great podcast

    Very well structured and informing

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sebmundo
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is commended for its informative structure, allowing for a rich exploration of documentary filmmaking.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' knowledge and passion for the film industry, highlighting their insightful questions and ability to facilitate deep conversations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#68
Austria/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Last of the Sea Women" with Sue Kim
Q: What about the future? Will the HENYU survive?
It's uncertain whether the HENYU culture will survive due to environmental threats, but as long as there are HENYU, they will continue their relationship with the ocean.
"Last of the Sea Women" with Sue Kim
Q: When did you decide that the documentary form was going to be the way that you were going to help tell this story?
Su Kim began making documentaries about seven years ago and realized the urgency of documenting the Hanyo's story when she learned they were facing extinction.
"Last of the Sea Women" with Sue Kim
Q: Did you know about the Hanyo, the Sea Women? How did you first learn about them? And then what brought you to want to make a film about them?
Su Kim first learned about the Hanyo community when she was eight, during a trip to Korea and was struck by their boldness and strength. They became role models for her, leading to her desire to document their culture.
Classic: "20 Days in Mariupol” with Mstyslav Chernov (from July 2023)
Q: Do you think you were prepared for the war?
Mstyslav indicated that while they planned as best as they could, the intensity and rapidity of the situation in Mariupol meant they were unprepared for some aspects, especially being targeted due to the lack of other journalists.
"Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid" with Matt Tyrnauer
Q: How did you feel when James started calling for Biden to step aside?
It was extraordinary and illustrated Carville's insightful analysis; there were many pressures for him to self-censor, which made the conflict even more compelling for the film.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations focus on the craft of documentary filmmaking, exploring the artistic choices, challenges, and storytelling techniques of award-winning filmmakers. Topics range from personal experiences in capturing pivotal moments to the ethical dilemmas faced in the field. The discussions often highlight the impact of social issues and cultural narratives reflected in documentaries, making it an insightful resource for both aspiring filmmakers and documentary aficionados. This podcast stands out for its in-depth interviews that reveal the intricacies of filmmaking and the emotional journeys behind each project.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Business
2. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
3. The Film Comment Podcast
4. The Town with Matthew Belloni
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 282 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Rob Reiner
2. Lucy Walker
3. Sam Lipman-Stern
4. Adam Bhala Lough
5. Shane Boris
6. Violet Du Feng
7. Joanna Natasegara
8. Clayton Davis

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