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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

michaellouismerrill
Documentary Filmmaking
Sundance Film Festival
Mental Health
Documentary Film
Sugarcane
Gun Violence
Ukraine
Martha Stewart
American Revolution
Celine Dion
Will & Harper
Lhakpa Sherpa
Democracy
Toronto International Film Festival
Gallaudet University
Frida Kahlo
Mount Everest
Leonardo Da Vinci
George Orwell
Slavery

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes307Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Latest Episodes

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Recent Guests

Rachel Dretzin
Director of the Netflix documentary Trust Me, The False Prophet
Netflix
Episode: “Trust Me: The False Prophet” with Rachel Dretzin
Alex Stapleton
Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Netflix (documentary subject); director of Sean Combs, The Reckoning
Episode: "Sean Combs: The Reckoning" with Alexandria Stapleton
Mariska Hargitay
Director and producer of the HBO documentary My Mom Jayne
HBO
Episode: "My Mom Jayne" with Mariska Hargitay
Hilla Medalia
Peabody-winning, four-time Emmy-nominated director
Episode: “Children No More: Were and are Gone” with Hilla Medalia
Alison McAlpine
Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Episode: "Perfectly a Strangeness" with Alison McAlpine
Christalyn Hampton
Director/Producer of The Devil Is Busy
Geeta Gandbhir (director)
Episode: "The Devil is Busy" with Christalyn Hampton & Rose Arce
Rose Arce
Producer of The Devil Is Busy
Geeta Gandbhir (director)
Episode: "The Devil is Busy" with Christalyn Hampton & Rose Arce
Judd Ehrlich
Director of 'Jane Elliott Against the World'
Episode: "Jane Elliott Against the World" with Judd Ehrlich
Basil Tsiokos
Senior programmer for the Sundance Film Festival.
Sundance Film Festival
Episode: 2026 Sundance Preview with Basil Tsiokos

Hosts

Ken Jacobson
Host of Top Docs; appears as a primary interviewer with a focus on documentary storytelling and industry dynamics.
Mike Merrill
Producer/Co-host and frequent interviewer; often drives conversations around production challenges and archival or verité approaches.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 28 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 States5 years ago
  • Great podcast

    Very well structured and informing

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sebmundo
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

High production quality and thoughtful questions are frequently noted.
Listeners appreciate deep-dive interviews with filmmakers and industry peers.
Guests provide practical, behind-the-scenes perspectives on documentary making.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#213
Hong Kong/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Sean Combs: The Reckoning" with Alexandria Stapleton
Q: How did you approach controversial topics, such as allegations of abuse, in the interviews?
The approach varied by interviewee; some wanted to share extensive details while others preferred to contribute through context and motivation, ensuring the portrayal balanced accountability with empathy.
"Sean Combs: The Reckoning" with Alexandria Stapleton
Q: What was the guiding principle in using archival footage to tell Sean Combs's story?
Stapleton explains that the footage serves as the spine of the series, offering a consistent through-line that helps juxtapose the myth with reality while anchoring a long timeline of events.
"My Mom Jayne" with Mariska Hargitay
Q: How did you approach the sensitive subject of the car accident and its aftermath in the film?
She notes that they faced the tragedy head-on, using archival footage and intimate moments to convey the impact on the siblings, while ensuring the storytelling honored those who died and the surviving family members.
"My Mom Jayne" with Mariska Hargitay
Q: Why did you decide to make this film about your mother and your family?
Mariska explains that the project started from a personal need to understand her mother beyond the public image, used letters and conversations to build a more complete, three-dimensional portrait, and to heal family wounds through truthful storytelling.
“Armed Only With a Camera" with Craig Renaud
Q: How did you keep Brent's voice front and center in the film after his death?
Craig explains that Brent was made co-director through decades of Brent's own footage, and they actively sought moments where Brent's voice could be heard, using archival material and careful editing to foreground his perspective.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

Sharp, interview-driven conversations with award-winning documentary filmmakers about craft, storytelling decisions, and the realities of producing non-fiction cinema. Episodes regularly unpack filming techniques, ethical considerations, subject dynamics, and industry trends (awards, festivals, distribution), often weaving in behind-the-scenes anecdotes and practical takeaways for aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals. A standout throughline is a meticulous commitment to truthful storytelling, nuanced portrayal of subjects, and the impact of documentary work on audiences, subjects, and institutions. The show often features guests from major prestige projects and festival favorites, offering listeners actionable perspectives for pit... more

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2. The Town with Matthew Belloni
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this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 307 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. Rachel Dretzin
2. Alex Stapleton
3. Mariska Hargitay
4. Hilla Medalia
5. Alison McAlpine
6. Christalyn Hampton
7. Rose Arce
8. Judd Ehrlich

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