PODCAST · tv
What's Up with Docs Podcast
by Toni Bell
An unapologetic documentary podcast that celebrates all of us! #tellyourstory
Episodes
-
Special Episode - "The Gambler" - BIPOC & Co-conspirator Liberation within the Doc Industry - An Informal Conversation
Usually, after recording a podcast episode, Ranell and I would quickly say goodbye to our guests so we could get on with Saturday afternoon activities. We stayed in the Zoom room for over an hour when we recorded our episode with Jennifer Crystal Chien. When listening back, I realized the…
more -
Episode 40 - Episode 40 - Jennifer Crystal Chien - “Keep On Keeping On"
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker, mentor, activist, and co-founder of Re-Present Media, Jennifer Crystal Chien. During our conversation, we chatted about how she got into docs, her commitment to advocacy, and the field-building and changing work at Re-Present Media. Jennifer's theory of...
-
WuWD@ DOK Leipzig 2021 - Jihan El Tahri - “Jihan & Toni Talk Archives”
During this conversation, I speak with the filmmaker, archivist, and the artistic director of Dox Box, Jihan El Tahri about the manifesto, “Liberate the Image.” The manifesto was a call to action to make archives more accessible to content creators living in the Global South. During the...
-
WuWD@ DOK Leipzig 2021 - Mariam Ghani - “Preserving History During Times of Conflict”
We recognize that war, conflict, and occupation often bring destruction not only to physical bodies but to the histories, archives, and cultural identities of the people impacted. During this conversation, I spoke with artist, writer, filmmaker, and teacher Mariam Ghani about her latest project...
-
Episode 38 - Jacquil Constant - “That's How I Knew”
In this episode, I speak with a friend, filmmaker, and professor, Jacquil Constant. During our conversation, we chat about our time working on Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of Race, BADWest, and his documentary short, Haiti is a Nation of Artists. We also talk about his…
more -
Episode 37 - Scott Calonico & Sandy Wieding - “C’est Si Bon”
In this episode, I speak with film director Scott Calonico and archival researcher and producer Sandy Weeding. During our conversation, we chat about our first meeting at the Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival, Sandy’s experiences of Berlin before the wall came down, unique German archives, and...
-
Episode 36 - Emma Francis Snyder - “Pa’lante” & “Que Bonita Bandera”
In the first full episode of 2022, I chat with the filmmaker and activist Emma Francis-Snyder about her Oscar-shortlisted short Takeover! We talk about her journey as a white person and the obligation to uncover and celebrate these hidden histories and all things Takeover! Including the history…
more -
Episode 35 - Laura van Halsema - “Chelas City”
In this episode, we continue our celebration of the 2021 edition of IDFA as I chat with the Senior Programmer of the festival, Laura van Halsema. We talk about how she got into docs, her nearly 20 years with IDFA, and take a deep dive into the unConscious Bias Focus program at the festival this...
-
Episode 34 - Mostafa Youssef - “Hello Sunshine”
In this episode, I speak with the film director & co-founder of Seen Films, Mostafa Youssef. We chat about his near lifelong love of film, the entertainment industry in Egypt and its impact throughout the Arab-speaking world, and the unique challenges of filmmakers on the Continent. We also get...
-
Episode 33 - Raven Two Feathers - “Burn Your Village to the Ground”
In this episode, I speak with friend and writer, director, co-producer, Raven Two Feathers. During our conversation, we chat about when we first met and my struggle with the Seattle hills, the 4th World Media Lab, their VR project, “A Drive to Top Surgery,” which screened at ImagiNative this…
more -
Episode 32 - Mirjam Wiekenkamp - "Abusey Junction"
n this episode, I speak with the publicist and one of the founders of NOISE Film PR, Mirjam Wiekenkamp. During our conversation, we get into her publicist origin story, some of the differences between PR firms in the US and Europe, the unique ways a publicist can position documentary films in the...
-
Episode 31 - Brenda Avila-Hanna - “Pueblos”
In this episode, I speak with Mexican filmmaker and Co-Director of Video Consortium Mexico, Brenda Avila-Hanna. During our conversation, we chat about her latest feature project Libertad, the professional needs of Mexican content creators outside of urban strongholds such as Mexico City, the...
-
Episode 30 - Ina Finchman - “Hallelujah”
In this episode, I speak with Canadian producer extraordinaire, Ina Finchman. During our conversation, we chat the nuts, bolts, and knowledge needed to be a great international co-production partner, her work with the Documentary Organization of Canada, and the specific steps the organization…
more -
Episode 29 - Ann Kaneko & Jin Yoo-Kim - “We Are the Children”
In this episode, I speak with director, producer, and writer Ann Kaneko and producer Jin Yoo-Kim about their latest project, Manzanar: Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust. We chat about Ann’s very impressive matchmaking skills, their work on K-Town ‘92 and their reflections of the 1992 Rebellion…
more -
Episode 28 - Adam Benzine - “What's Happening Brother”
In this episode, I speak with Oscar-Nominated, United Kingdom-born, and Canada-based filmmaker Adam Benzine. During the episode, we chat about his career in journalism, his move to Canada, his critically acclaimed work, Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah, and his latest documentary project…
more -
Episode 27 - Ashley O’Shay - “Basquiat”
In this episode, I speak with DP and director, Ashley O’Shay. We chat about the uniqueness of Chicago filmmakers, How she discovered her love for cinematography, her work on national brands, her work on Surviving R. Kelly, and her feature debut, Unapologetic, which centers queer Black women in…
more -
Episode 26 - Resita Cox - “What They Do”
In this episode, I speak with journalist and filmmaker, Resita Cox. We chat about her local news career and why she decided to become a documentary filmmaker. We also discuss her latest project which is supported by Kartemquin Films, Freedom Hill a powerful film that celebrates Princeville, North...
-
Episode 25 - Matt Lauterbach, Reveca Torres, & Grishma Shah- “My Future”
In this episode, I speak with Matt Lauterbach, Grishma Shah, and Reveca Torres of All Senses Go. During our conversation, we chat about how their work with organizations and content creators to ensure the media they support and create is accessible for all, the accessibility changes the team…
more -
Episode 24 - Abby Sun - “I Want to Break Free”
In this episode, I speak with curator, Abby Sun about her work with the DocYard, an award-winning film and discussion series at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge. We also chat about her work with Distribution Advocates, an organization committed to demystifying and transparency in distribution…
more -
Episode 23 - Robert Y. Chang - “Tightrope”
In this episode, I speak with Coordinating Producer at American Documentary/America Reframed, Robert Chang. During our conversation we chat about his Ph.D. in cultural anthropology, America ReFramed’s new season, navigating documentary in the soon-to-be post-COVID world, and get a lesson on how…
more -
Episode 22 - Elhum Shakerifar & Steven Eastwood - "Cactus"
In this episode, I speak with UK-based artist-filmmaker Steven Eastwood and producer, Elhum Shakerifar about their collaborative work on the film ISLAND and how that work has shaped their thoughts on the exploration of death and dying in the time of COViD. We also chat about their current film…
more -
What’s Up with Docs @ "The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West, Day of Black Docs"
The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West (BADWest) is a professional organization providing people of African descent working in documentary film, video or other media the opportunity to network professionally, share resources, exchange ideas, and meet socially in order to enhance the...
-
Episode 21 - April Dobbins - “No Agreement”
In this episode, I speak with writer, photographer, educator, filmmaker, and proud mom, April Dobbins. During our conversation, we chat about her many, many, many artistic endeavors and the joys and challenges of making her first feature documentary, Alabamaland. Because we are so often defined…
more -
Episode 20 - Victoria Thomas - “Survivor”
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and educator Victoria Thomas. In our conversation, we chat about her latest project, Born in New York, Raised in Paris, her teaching at the London Film School, the production company she founded, the Polkadot Factory, and the challenges of navigating a...
-
Episode 19 - Lindsey Dryden & Day Al-Mohamed - “Say My Name”
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker Lindsey Dryden and filmmaker, novelist, and podcaster, Day Al-Mohamed. In our conversation, we chat about Day’s advocacy work in Washington, D.C., Lindsey’s work as a producer of the film Unrest, and the organization they co-founded with the Oscar-nominated...
-
Episode 18 - Chloë Walters-Wallace - “Take Me Home, Country Road/West Jamaica”
In the this episode, I speak with Firelight Media’s Manager of Artists Programs, Chloë Walters-Wallace. In our conversation, we chat about what got her started in the documentary field, her work at the Tribeca Film Institute and the New Orleans Film Society, and some of Firelight’s new…
more -
Episode 17 - Rüzgâr Buşki - “İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir/Consistent Fantasy is Reality”
In this episode, I speak with artist and filmmaker Rüzgâr Buşki. In our conversation, we talk about immigrating from Instanbul, where to get great Turkish food in Berlin, discrimination in Germany, and their current project, I’ve Got the Power. Because I’ve Got the Power explores how…
more -
Episode 16 - Elegance Bratton & Chester Argenal Gordon - “Solid”
In this episode, I speak with writer and director Elegance Bratton and producer and costume designer Chester Argenal Gordon. In our conversation, we chat about how they met each other, their latest documentary project Pier Kids, and the joys and strength needed to stay true to themselves and…
more -
Episode 15 - Lillian Benson, A.C.E. - “Wanting Memories”
In the final episode of 2020, I speak with the director and editor, Lillian Benson. In our conversation, we talk about when she met the Civil Rights icon, Congressman John Lewis at the Academy Awards, the film she edited about his life, Get in the Way: The Journey of John Lewis, her documentary...
-
Episode 14 - Set Hernandez Rongkilyo - “A Thousand More”
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and co-founder of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Set Hernandez Rongkilyo. In our conversation, we discuss their filmography the ways undocumented filmmakers are demanding authorship and agency in the telling of their stories. Because Set is a very...
-
Episode 13 - Denise Hamilton - “We Shall Not Be Moved”
In this episode, I speak with educator, filmmaker and former co-chairperson of BADWest: Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers - West, Denise Hamilton, In our conversation we talk about BADWest, her latest doc/interactive project Race Relay, and what it’s like to be educating the next...
-
Episode 12 - Bo McGuire - “Fancy”
In this episode, I speak with the writer, director, and producer of Socks on Fire, Bo McGuire, winner of the Best Documentary Feature Award at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Since Bo is a country boy at heart and Reba McEntire is one of his favorite artists, this episode’s song is the country...
-
Episode 11 - Brigid O’Shea - “Down Under”
n this episode, I speak with the Head of Dok Industry Programme at Dok Leipzig and founder of the Documentary Association of Europe (DEA), Brigid O’Shea about what brought the Australian transplant to Germany and the upcoming festival, the oldest documentary festival in the world. Because she is…
more -
Episode 10 - Jamie Starboisky - “Live Your Life Be Free”
In this episode, I speak with director, creative producer, writer Jaime Starboisky about the Queer Media Film Festival and his virtual reality project, Therese & Peta: A Tale of Two-Spirits. In 1991, the two protagonists of the project, Therese & Peta, did a road trip back to Peta’s home on the...
-
Episode 9 - Claire Aguilar - “A Meeting in the Ladies Room”
In this episode, I speak with award-winning film curator, film festival director and television commissioning editor and broadcaster, Claire Aguilar about her career in documentary and her recent work with the American Film Showcase Pakistan. Because we first began working together, we always…
more -
Episode 8 - Fallon Young - “I’m Walking to New Orleans”
In this episode, I speak with Fallon Young, Executive Director of the New Orleans Film Society about the plans for the New Orleans Film Festival and other programs in the time of COVID-19, “regional” documentary filmmakers, the George Floyd Uprising, and the specific, anti-racism remedies that…
more -
Episode 7 - Dante Alencastre - “Finally”
In this week’s episode, I speak with the filmmaker, Dante Alencastre, director & producer of AIDS Diva: The Legend of Connie Norman. This episode’s song is one of Connie’s favorites, CeCe Peniston’s “Finally.”
-
Episode 6 - Lily Zepeda - “Waterfalls”
In this week’s episode, I speak with Lily Zepeda, director, producer & writer of Mr. Toilet: The World’s #2 Man. Because she is a self-proclaimed of the child of the nineties, this week’s song is TLC’s “Waterfalls.”
-
Episode 5 - Ani Mercedes - “Money”
In this week’s episode, I speak with Ani Mercedes, CEO, Founder, & Impact Producer at Looky Looky Pictures. Because she’s a fearless hustler, this episode’s song is Cardi B’s “Money.”
-
Episode 4 - Sonya Childress - “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun”
In this episode, I speak with Sonya Childress, Senior Fellow at the Perspective Fund, about her pioneering work in the field of documentary and impact. Because in all her work, she centers People of Color and Blackness, in particular, this week’s song is the New Rotary Connection’s classic, “I Am...
-
Episode 3 - Godisamang Godi Khunou - "Lady"
In this episode, I speak with Godisamang Godi Khunou, founder of Mogale Pictures, a production company dedicated to creating content from the Pan African and Pro African Feminism perspective. Because she is in late development on her first film Black Women & Sex, this week’s song is Hugh…
more -
Episode 2 - Emily Cohen Ibañez & Ashley Solis Pavon - "It Takes Two"
In this episode, I speak with director/writer, Emily Cohen Ibañez, and protagonist/writer Ashley Solis Pavon about their upcoming project Fruits of Labor and what it’s like to collaborate on the filmmaking process. Like Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock say, “It Takes Two.” I spoke with them at the 2020…
more -
Episode 1 - Tracy Rector - "I'm Every Woman"
In this episode, I speak with Choctaw/Seminole co-founder of Longhouse Media, Tracy Rector about her filmmaking, her new gig with Nia Tero and, her mentoring of the 4th World Indigenous Media Lab. With everything that she does, like Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston, Tracy’s informal mantra should…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
An unapologetic documentary podcast that celebrates all of us! #tellyourstory
HOSTED BY
Toni Bell
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does What's Up with Docs Podcast have?
What's Up with Docs Podcast currently has 47 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is What's Up with Docs Podcast about?
An unapologetic documentary podcast that celebrates all of us! #tellyourstory
How often does What's Up with Docs Podcast release new episodes?
What's Up with Docs Podcast has 47 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to What's Up with Docs Podcast?
You can listen to What's Up with Docs Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts What's Up with Docs Podcast?
What's Up with Docs Podcast is created and hosted by Toni Bell.
URL copied to clipboard!