A Top Documentary Director Finds a Billionaire Backer

By: Brooks Barnes The Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney has sold a majority stake in his Jigsaw Productions to the philanthropist Wendy Schmidt. At a time when the documentary film business is atrophying, one of the world’s leading documentarians, Alex Gibney, has taken on a powerful partner: Wendy Schmidt, a billionaire philanthropist by way of Google. “We’ve been… Continue reading A Top Documentary Director Finds a Billionaire Backer

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Oscars Shortlist Announced in 10 Categories: ‘Emilia Pérez’ and ‘Wicked’ Lead the Charge

By: Clayton Davis If the Oscars shortlist is the equivalent of mid-term exams for awards contenders, then Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez” and Universal Pictures’ “Wicked” just received passing grades. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the shortlists in 10 categories for the upcoming 97th Oscars ceremony. The preliminary voting applies to animated short film,… Continue reading Oscars Shortlist Announced in 10 Categories: ‘Emilia Pérez’ and ‘Wicked’ Lead the Charge

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Luigi Mangione Documentary in the Works From Alex Gibney, Anonymous Content

By: Tatiana Siegel It was a story that rocked the nation. And now, the first project about the brazen, broad daylight killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is on the way. Anonymous Content and Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Prods. are teaming up to develop and produce a documentary about the Dec. 4 fatal shooting that took place in… Continue reading Luigi Mangione Documentary in the Works From Alex Gibney, Anonymous Content

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Alex Gibney’s ‘The Bibi Files’ to Distribute on Jolt: “A Lot of the Major Outlets Just Were Nervous”

By: Katie Kilkenny The film has opted to distribute in an untraditional manner in the latest example of mainstream distributors avoiding risky nonfiction plays. The Bibi Files, the explosive documentary containing leaked footage of interrogations in the ongoing corruption trial of Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, is set to stream on the new platform Jolt. The film from… Continue reading Alex Gibney’s ‘The Bibi Files’ to Distribute on Jolt: “A Lot of the Major Outlets Just Were Nervous”

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‘The Bibi Files’ – the Docu That Benjamin Netanyahu Doesn’t Want You to See – to Launch on Jolt (EXCLUSIVE)

By: Addie Morfoot The new direct-to-consumer film platform could be the answer to the doc distribution crisis “The Bibi Files,” a documentary about Benjamin Netanyahu that features never-before-seen video of the Israeli Prime Minister being interrogated by police on corruption allegations that led to his indictment in 2019, will be available to stream on Jolt.film beginning Dec.… Continue reading ‘The Bibi Files’ – the Docu That Benjamin Netanyahu Doesn’t Want You to See – to Launch on Jolt (EXCLUSIVE)

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DOC NYC Announces Oscar Predictor Feature Shortlist That Includes ‘The Bibi Files,’ ‘Will & Harper’ and ‘No Other Land’

Alexis Bloom’s “The Bibi Files,” Raoul Peck’s “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found” and Johan Grimonprez’s “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” are among the 15 documentary films that have received a coveted spot on DOC NYC’s feature shortlist. Launched in 2012, the DOC NYC feature shortlist, which this year includes several streamer-backed docs as well as… Continue reading DOC NYC Announces Oscar Predictor Feature Shortlist That Includes ‘The Bibi Files,’ ‘Will & Harper’ and ‘No Other Land’

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Holding On to a Good Story: Making ‘God Save Texas’

New Yorker staff writer Lawrence Wright remembers colleagues asking, “Why do you live in Texas?” when his location shouldn’t have been exceptional. Writers from all over the world contribute to the magazine. The difference, Wright says, is that Texas was perceived as “anti-New York.” Once a left-leaning state, Texas has swung far to the right. It’s one… Continue reading Holding On to a Good Story: Making ‘God Save Texas’

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Barbra Streisand to Be Subject of Multi-Part Documentary Directed by Frank Marshall

Production is underway on what is described as “the definitive multi-part documentary” on Barbra Streisand, with Frank Marshall directing and Alex Gibney producing, it was announced Thursday by Sony Music Vision, which is developing the doc in partnership with Columbia Records, Jigsaw Productions and the Kennedy/Marshall Company. The doc will offer “an intimate and comprehensive exploration of every facet of… Continue reading Barbra Streisand to Be Subject of Multi-Part Documentary Directed by Frank Marshall

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‘The Bibi Files’ – the Docu That Benjamin Netanyahu Doesn’t Want You to See – to Launch on Jolt (EXCLUSIVE)

The new direct-to-consumer film platform could be the answer to the doc distribution crisis. “The Bibi Files,” a documentary about Benjamin Netanyahu that features never-before-seen video of the Israeli Prime Minister being interrogated by police on corruption allegations that led to his indictment in 2019, will be available to stream on Jolt.film beginning Dec. 11. In September,… Continue reading ‘The Bibi Files’ – the Docu That Benjamin Netanyahu Doesn’t Want You to See – to Launch on Jolt (EXCLUSIVE)

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How Wise Guy Delivered The Sopranos Postscript We Didn’t Know We Needed

Documentarian Alex Gibney opens up about his exploration of the grit and guts it took to bring one of television’s most influential series to life. When HBO first approached Alex Gibney about making a docuseries about The Sopranos, he was inclined to say no. As much as the Academy Award-winning director loved the show, he wasn’t interested in… Continue reading How Wise Guy Delivered The Sopranos Postscript We Didn’t Know We Needed

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