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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

michaellouismerrill
Lhakpa Sherpa
Mount Everest
Lucy Walker
Women's Rights
Documentary Filmmaking
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
Nickelodeon
Quiet On Set: the Dark Side Of Kids TV
Toronto International Film Festival

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes274Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Latest Episodes

Who really took the photo widely known as “Napalm Girl”?  And does it really matter over a half-century later?

In his new Netflix documentary “The Stringer”, Bao Nguyen (“The Greatest Night in Pop”) follows a journalistic team lead by Anglo-American... more

The main protagonist of Tamara Kotevska’s (“Honeyland”) enchanting new documentary “The Tale of Silyan” is a lovable farmer named Nikola. But as compelling a screen presence as he is, Nikola can’t hold a candle to the film’s real stars, the gorgeous,... more

Elvis. The Beatles. Madonna… Selena. Selena Quintanilla was a huge star on the cusp of becoming an international superstar when she was tragically killed in 1995 at just 23 years old. Filmmaker Isabel Castro (“Mija”) explores the life, music and lega... more

Whether you are a fan of motorcycles or not, it’s hard to dispute that riding one down an open stretch of road delivers an intoxicating sense of freedom. As filmmakers Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni make clear in their extraordinary documentary “Cu... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mstyslav Chernov
Award-winning AP journalist, writer, and photographer who has covered war zones, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Associated Press
Episode: Classic: "20 Days in Mariupol” with Mstyslav Chernov (from July 2023)
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

Hosts

Mike Merrill
Host of a podcast featuring conversations with award-winning documentary filmmakers.
Ken Jacobson
Host of a podcast engaging with award-winning documentary filmmakers about their narratives and processes.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 24 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.

Listeners commend the insightful questions and deep understanding of the documentary-making process. The content is well-structured and is rated highly for being informative.

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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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

Focused on the art and craft of documentary filmmaking, discussions center on the journeys, experiences, and perspectives of award-winning documentarians. Each episode features insights into the creative process behind notable films, illustrating the challenges and triumphs filmmakers face while trying to convey compelling narratives. Topics cover a diverse range of subjects, from sociopolitical issues to personal stories that resonate profoundly with audiences, providing an engaging exploration of both the filmmaking process and the profound impact of documentaries on society.

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1. Fresh Air
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. The Daily
4. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
5. The Opinions

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 274 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. Mstyslav Chernov
2. Rob Reiner
3. Lucy Walker
4. Sam Lipman-Stern
5. Adam Bhala Lough
6. Shane Boris
7. Violet Du Feng
8. Joanna Natasegara

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