Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

When documentary filmmaker Kim A. Snyder began her directing career, she didn’t set out to make a string of films about school shootings and their aftermaths. But, from “Newtown” (2016) to “US Kids” (2020), and now with her Oscar-nominated short documentary “Death by Numbers,” Kim has brought critical attention to the issue and built deep relationships with the young survivors of those shootings. For “Death by Numbers,” Kim partners with Sam Fuentes, a survivor of the Parkland, FL shootings, who has written powerfully about the horrors of that day and the traumas that followed.   Kim and Sam join Ken on the pod to discuss Sam’s journal writings that are the basis for the film and to reflect on the events surrounding the sentencing trial for the shooter who killed 17 students and staff and now faces a possible death sentence. Asked by her former teacher to speak on her classmates’ behalf at the trial’s conclusion, Sam, through her ongoing pain, delivers a victim impact statement of undeniable power and eloquence. The Parkland high school students who lived through those terrible events in 2018 are now in their early 20’s, and they will be heard.   Hidden Gems: Kim: “Zurawski v Texas” Sam: “Dovecote”   Follow: @kasnyderfilms on Instagram and X @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

One of the most haunting moments in director Mstyslav Chernov’s harrowing new documentary “2000 Meters to Andriivka” — a follow up to his Oscar-winning “20 Days in Mariupol” — is a rather prosaic conversation about handmade cigarettes between the filmmaker and a Ukrainian soldier as they huddle in a foxhole while artillery shells explode around them. What makes this scene so chilling is its very ordinariness, and the fact that, by the end of the conversation, we will learn from the director’s voice over that this soldier will be killed on another battlefield several months later.   Joining Ken for a live, in-person interview at Sundance 2025 just after the film’s world premiere, Mstyslav shares his experience of embedding with soldiers in Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade as they set out, on one long day during the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer of 2023, to plant the Ukrainian flag in the recently recaptured village of Andriivka, Running alongside this saga is the story, told through footage recorded by the Ukrainian soldiers’ helmet-mounted cameras, of how these brave soldiers fought one meter at a time to reclaim Andriivka. By the end of “2000 Meters,” it’s clear that there’s nothing left to save of the village except its name. How Andriivka — and those who died along the way — will be remembered is but one of the lingering questions that this unforgettable film dares to ask.   Mstyslav Chernov was awarded the Jury Award for Directing, World Cinema Documentary, at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.   Also, check out our “Top Docs” conversation with Mstyslav about “20 Days in Mariupol.”   Follow: @mstyslav.chernov on Instagram and @mstyslavchernov on X @topdocspod on Instagram and X   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

The 15th UN General Assembly of September 1960 may not seem like the most avant-garde topic for a cinematically adventurous documentary, but don’t tell that to director Johan Grimonprez. His stunningly creative “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” recently named to the Oscar Shortlist for Best Documentary Feature, is a cinematic high point of 2024 and also one of the year’s most thoroughly engaging historical/political dramas.   Johan joins Ken on the pod to discuss the events surrounding the truncated political independence that was “granted” to the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in June 1960 by the Belgian government. Soon after, Belgium (Johan’s home country) and the US joined forces with the UN leadership to undermine the Congo’s newly elected prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, who had emerged as a dynamic leader of the nascent united Africa movement. Lumumba’s downfall plays out in the bitterly divided 15th UN Assembly. Nikita Khruschev, Malcolm X and Fidel Castro appear alongside jazz legends Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln and others, who also play a key role in the story… and in the soundtrack.   “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” is released by Kino Lorber.   Hidden Gem: “Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey” “Close-Up”   Follow: @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

Continuing our Academy Award coverage, today we speak with Alexis Bloom about her documentary, "The Bibi Files," which has been Oscar-shortlisted.     "The Bibi Files" features never-before seen police interrogations of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, his wife Sara, their son Yair and many of their friends, associates, and people who have sought their influence. The results of these interviews led to Netanyahu being indicted for breach of trust, bribery, and fraud in 2019.  As you’ll hear, the consequences of Netanyahu’s legal troubles go far beyond his own freedom–they very much feed into the rightward turn in Israeli politics over the last few years, may have played a role in Israeli’s complete unpreparedness for the Hamas attacks on Oct 7 of 2023, and almost certainly are extending the tragic conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.    You can stream "The Bibi Files" on Jolt.   Hidden Gem: “War Game”   Follow: @thebibifilesdoc on Instagram and X @topdocspod on Instagram and X

Road trips — and road trip movies — are as American as apple pie. And now, currently streaming on Netflix, we have director Josh Greenbaum’s poignant and very funny documentary “Will & Harper,” which tags along on a cross country road trip with close friends Will Ferrell and Harper Steele as the two navigate Harper’s recent transition as a woman. Since meeting during their first week on staff together at “Saturday Night Love,” they’ve been tight ever since. But when Harper sends Will an email coming out as a trans woman, she can’t be sure how her famous comedian friend will react. In short order, Will proposes a road trip so that they can ask all those questions that arise after such a big change.   Director Josh Greenbaum joins Ken on the pod to discuss all the joys and bumps on the road that transpired over the course of Will and Harper’s epic 16-day journey to such noted tourist destinations as the Grand Canyon… and a dive bar in Meeker, Oklahoma. Along the way, the two tackle such questions as, “What are the new ground rules for the friendship, if any?” “Can Harper still feel safe and comfortable in the same kind of places she used to visit as a man?” And “How are your boobs??” The laughs and the tears come in equal measure. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.   “Will & Harper” has recently been named to the Oscar Shortlist for Best Documentary Feature, and “Harper and Will Go West,” the theme song for the trip written by Kristin Wiig, has been named to the Oscar Shortlist for Best Original Song.   Hidden Gem: “Anvil! The Story of Anvil”   Follow: @josh.greenbaum on Instagram @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

Due to a rare form of autism, 14-year-old Makayla has grown up with plenty to say but lacking the ability to say it — until  now. Thanks to a groundbreaking therapy, she has found her voice and is making up for lost time. In Julio Palacio’s deeply moving Oscar-shortlisted documentary short, “Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World,” Makayla uses a letter board to communicate with her family and to share her amazing writings.   Julio joins Ken on the pod to discuss how he first met Makayla when he was working on an earlier film about her father (a very successful music producer) and then recently found out about Makayla’s remarkable breakthrough. What followed was a beautiful collaboration between Makayla, her family and the film team. The result is a joyful celebration of a young woman’s difficult but inspiring journey and a truly special voice that can finally be heard.   “Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World” is now streaming on Netflix.   Hidden Gem: “When There Are No Words”   Follow: @jpalpictures on Instagram @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

The first thing you should know about double bassist Orin O’Brien is that she doesn’t think she’s anything special. The second thing you should know — as director Molly O’Brien’s thoroughly endearing Oscar-shortlisted documentary short “The Only Girl in the Orchestra” makes perfectly clear — is that Orin O’Brien is very special, indeed. The first female musician hired full time by the New York Philharmonic in 1966, Orin has gone on to have a brilliant and unparalleled 55-year career playing the double bass in the Philharmonic.     Molly joins Ken on the pod to talk about this remarkable musician, teacher and pathbreaker — who also happens to be Molly’s beloved aunt. Set in the magical world of Manhattan and taking place as Orin begins a new chapter in her life, this heartfelt documentary shows us that talent, dedication, and a pure enjoyment of playing in the orchestra can make for a deeply fulfilling life. Now, isn’t that special?   “The Only Girl in the Orchestra” is now streaming on Netflix.   Hidden Gem: “The Children’s Storefront”   Follow: @mobworks on Instagram @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

“Hello, 2025!” And as the doc calendar turns to a new year, we turn our attention to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The 41st edition runs from January 23 – February 2 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah (and online from Jan. 30 – Feb 2). To help get us fired up, we welcome back Basil Tsiokos, Sundance Senior Programmer, Nonfiction, for his fourth visit to “Top Docs” to preview this year’s stellar documentary lineup.   Basil offers his insights and tips on the three dozen documentary features and episodics having their world premieres at this year’s festival across multiple sections. Whether you are headed to “the mountain” yourself, hope to catch some Sundance docs online, or just want to get the jump on what are sure to be some of 2025’s most talked about documentaries, our conversation with Basil is the perfect way to start the new year. And don’t miss Basil’s take on the Oscar Shortlist and his predictions for the final nominees!   For more info about the Sundance Film Festival program, go to festival.sundance.org.   Follow: @1basil1 on X, @sundancefest on X and @sundanceorg on Instagram and @topdocspod on X and Instagram   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

Frida Kahlo is everywhere. From pajamas imprinted with her likeness to exhibitions of her work, Frida’s image and art are omnipresent. But what about Frida’s own perspective on life, art, politics and love? Taking inspiration from Frida’s letters, illustrated diary and other writings, filmmaker Carla Gutiérrez’s stunning documentary portrait “Frida” offers a new perspective on this remarkably durable 20th Century icon by letting Frida speak for herself.   Joining Ken on the pod, Carla discusses how she was influenced and inspired by Frida. What did Carla hope to achieve by animating Frida’s paintings in the film, and how did the creative team go about pulling off this ambitious feat? In what ways did Carla bring her skills as an experienced editor of such films as “RPB” and “Julia” to her first project as a feature documentary director? And how did several life-changing events leave their indelible mark on Frida, while at the same time, fuel her determination to create art that “completed her life”? By not just looking at what she created, but by listening, too, we get a pretty good idea.   Recently named to the Oscar Shortlist for Best Documentary Feature, “Frida” is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.   Hidden Gem: “The Only Girl in the Orchestra”   Follow: @carlargutierrez on Instagram and @CarlitaGu on X @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

Welcome 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 17th. One day following the release of the list, Anne is already fired up and ready to go. How competitive is this year’s race? Who are the Frontrunners, Runners Up and Dark Horses? Which film will win it all? Park yourself in front of a roaring fire and pop in those earbuds. It’s Oscar time!   IndieWire Editor-at-Large Anne Thompson has been a contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post, The Observer, and Wired. She has served as film columnist at Variety, and deputy editor of Variety.com, where her daily blog, Thompson on Hollywood, launched in March 2007.    Follow: @akstanwyck on Instagram and twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.