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Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes291Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for Top Docs:  Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Latest Episodes

In a special, in-person conversation from the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, director Judd Ehrlich (“Keepers of the Game”) joins Ken in Park City to discuss his new documentary “Jane Elliott Against the World,” which just had its world premiere in the ... more

Cop. Drug agent. Preacher. Marijuana activist. Cop buster.  Can this really be one man?

In their documentary “Never Get Busted”, David Anthony Ngo and Erin Williams-Weir follow the protean Barry Cooper.  In this special interview recorded live late ... more

This is it! The final Sundance Film Festival to be held in Utah is just around the corner. The 2026 Sundance Film Festival — the 42nd edition — runs from January 22 – February 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah (and online from Jan. 29 – Feb 1).... more

The premise of Rachel Grady’s and Heidi Ewing’s (“Jesus Camp”, “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,” Endangered) new Oscar-shortlisted documentary, “Folktales” is simple enough:  They follow three students at a post-high school program in Norwa... more

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Recent Guests

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
Brittany Shyne
Documentary filmmaker known for her work focusing on black farmers and their communities
Episode: "Seeds" with Brittany Shyne
Noam Shuster Eliassi
Israeli comedian and creator of the show Coexistence, My Ass
Episode: “Coexistence, My Ass!” with Amber Fares
Elizabeth Lo
Director of the documentary Mistress Dispeller
Episode: "Mistress Dispeller" with Elizabeth Lo
Pavel Talankin
Co-director of Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” with David Borenstein
Anne Thompson
IndieWire editor-at-large
IndieWire
Episode: 98th Academy Awards Shortlist Rundown with Anne Thompson
Ksenia Mironova
Journalist and film participant
TV Rain
Episode: "My Undesirable Friends: Part 1 — Last Air in Moscow" with Julia Loktev & Ksenia Mironova
Julia Loktev
Producer and director of films including My Undesirable Friends
Episode: "My Undesirable Friends: Part 1 — Last Air in Moscow" with Julia Loktev & Ksenia Mironova

Hosts

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

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 27 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.

Top TV & Film Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Chef's Table: Legends" with David Gelb & Adam Bricker
Q: How did you go about sort of confronting that myth about Alice and doing so in a way that allows us as the viewer to understand why what she's doing is unique?
Gelb highlights Alice Waters' role as a leader and educator in promoting sustainable food practices through her work at Chez Panisse.
"Chef's Table: Legends" with David Gelb & Adam Bricker
Q: What drove you to create a Legends series and how did you pick these four?
Gelb explains the shift from discovering new chefs to exploring the legacies of iconic figures in the culinary world.
"Chef's Table: Legends" with David Gelb & Adam Bricker
Q: What elements would you say were there from the beginning in Jiro that we can see in the DNA today of Chef's Table?
Gelb speaks about the essence of storytelling focusing on the personal journey of chefs rather than just cooking techniques.
"American Murder: Gabby Petito" with Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro
Q: How do you think about engaging this incredible pain they're feeling at that moment?
They expressed the importance of trust during interviews, allowing subjects to share their stories without re-traumatizing them.
"American Murder: Gabby Petito" with Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro
Q: Can you talk about including that (police body camera footage)?
The filmmakers discussed the importance of including police footage to depict the realities of Gabby's vulnerability and the pivotal moments in the case.

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 Daily
2. Fresh Air
3. The Opinions
4. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
5. This American Life

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 291 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. Judd Ehrlich
2. Basil Tsiokos
3. Brittany Shyne
4. Noam Shuster Eliassi
5. Elizabeth Lo
6. Pavel Talankin
7. Anne Thompson
8. Ksenia Mironova

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