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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
Robert Durst
The Jinx
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 weeklyEpisodes265Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Latest Episodes

It’s that time of the year! The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2025 runs from October 10-18th.  Ken, who, in addition to his Top Docs duties serves as the Executive Director of the Festival, joins Mike to talk about some of his picks for the F... more

As director David Osit describes his new film, “ ’Predators’ peels back the story of the TV show ‘To Catch a Predator’, which ensnared potential sex predators in a television hidden-camera sting operation and explores the fallout from the show and th... more

In honor of Matt Wolf's big wins at the Emmys this year--not only for "Pee-wee as Himself" as Best Documentary Feature, but for his own win as director of that documentary as well as picture editing for Damian Rodriguez--we are re-releasing our inter... more

It’s Primetime. Yes, the Primetime Emmys are here, and we’ve got you covered. Culminating our “Top Docs” podcasts featuring the leading contenders for in the documentary categories, we talk to The Hollywood Reporter’s Executive Editor of Awards Scott... 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 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 22 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.

Top TV & Film Podcasts

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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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Business
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Fresh Air
4. The Daily
5. Doc Talk: A Deadline and Nō Studios Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 265 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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