Documentary First: Conversations on Documentary Filmmaking

Conversations on documentary filmmaking with the people who actually make the films, from Ken Burns and PBS American Masters creator Susan Lacy to first-time directors finishing their first film. Documentary First is a weekly podcast for working and aspiring documentary filmmakers who want honest, in-depth conversations about how documentaries get funded, made, and seen.

Hosted by Christian Taylor, award-winning director of The Girl Who Wore Freedom (25+ international awards; distributed by Virgil Films, Swank, and Canal+), the show draws on 270+ interviews with documentary directors, editors, producers, distributors, and composers across HBO, Netflix, PBS, and the independent documentary world. Guests have included Emmy and Peabody Award-winning editor Charles Olivier (HBO’s The Jinx) and Emmy-nominated director Nick Bruckman (Netflix’s Minted).

Two formats, one feed. The main show features long-form documentary interviews on how filmmakers approach their craft, navigate distribution, and build careers, with practical filmmaking tips you can use. On alternating weeks, Documentary First: The Deep Dive takes one insight from a recent conversation and follows it further, drawing on psychology, philosophy, and real-world experience.

Topics include documentary directing, documentary producing, documentary editing, documentary distribution, documentary funding, documentary storytelling, film festival strategy, archival footage and rights clearance, entertainment law for filmmakers, and building a sustainable career in nonfiction filmmaking.

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