Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

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If you love documentary films, hear from the top storytellers on Pure Nonfiction. Host Thom Powers is well-connected in this world as a documentary curator for the Toronto International Film Festival, DOC NYC, and SundanceNow Doc Club. He leads conversations that are frank, funny and revealing. Listen to interviews with Oscar-winning filmmakers Barbara Kopple, Alex Gibney, and Roger Ross Williams; as well as the directors of “Making a Murderer,” “Weiner” and “OJ: Made in America.” Often the stories behind the scenes are as dramatic as what’s on the screen. On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @purenonfiction. Subscribe now.

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Recent Reviews

RFF_RFF

The best interviewer!

Thom knows so much and knows just what to ask to get the story behind the story. Awesome show.
JJ8757686

The best!

The best documentary podcast. Love the stories. Would love to hear from less well known docs too including shorts. Thanks for your hard work!
CDMatthew

A must-listen for any doc enthusiast

I like all kinds of films, and there are MANY film podcasts to choose from. But if you LOVE documentaries as I do, Thom Powers’ PURE NONFICTION is one of the few podcasts (the only one?) that focuses on documentary films. Powers interviews superb filmmakers, both new and familiar, and often highlights docs before they find distribution. This is an excellent show, and with documentaries appearing to be increasingly popular, here’s hoping PURE NONFICTION will increase in popularity, too.
AnsonPtson

WOW

I found this on new and noteworthy and listened because I like true crime and true crime documentaries. This was a really great look at the filmmaking side and I am going to keep listening even to the episodes that are about people who don't do true crime shows.
journoMomx4

Riveting & insightful

This is a fave. Many pods are too long and this is one I’m always hoping for more. I wish I could work with Thom (& Rafaella on both pods) bc they know so much & bring out the filmmakers so well. I usually can’t get enough of these interviews. Thank you.
NickJuz92

Genius

We have a man that can easily be called the documentary genius of our time. Great job and congrats Thom!
shannoncason

Great Conversations!

Thom gets beneath the surface insights from his guests. The conversations take you deep into the process, creativity, and life of interesting people. It's a great listen for anyone who loves film and stories, and it's a must listen if you want to learn about documentary storytelling. Quality show!
HTS22

Great

Great podcast, well done. Please do a podcast on the film "Vaxxed."
D Melon

The best doc podcast I've listened to!

Pure Non-Fiction has great in depth interviews with the best doc filmmakers. The quality of the podcast from the guest selection, Tom's smooth voice and audio quality is great.
BraveNewWorlder

Excellent Podcast!

Topics and filmmakers are always intertesting. The interviewer knows his stuff, asks great questions, then gets out of the way. Sound quality always excellent. I've discovered a lot of interesting docs from listening to this show.
Pat Aufderheide

Great resource

Wow, this is going straight into my syllabi, and it's mandatory for all my MFA students. What a treasure.
Pete from Sanford

Very well put together

I could get used to this!!
Tom Morkes

great show

Love tuning in and hearing what Thom has to say. He brings in great guests and the conversations are so interesting
Barberfilm

Inspiring and motivating

As a documentary filmmaker, it’s wonderful to hear an insider like Thom ask the more nuanced questions about the processes and behind the scenes stories than one typically hears with a documentary’s press tour. I leave each episode excited and engaged, well done!
tjwhbg

A great angle

I'm so glad I found this podcast! I love adding the dimension of filmmaking itself to the interesting topics covered in the documentaries. Not a filmmaker myself, but this is a great angle to the stories I might enjoy in the films.
Kchrisfox

Fascinating-give it s try!

Hear accomplished film storytellers talk about the intricacies of getting and making their stories. The show will sneak up on you. The host, Thom Powers, knows that of which he speaks, but refreshingly, keeps it cool, and doesn't make the show all about him. You'll feel smarter and hugely inspired hearing these smart, genuine people talk about what they love.
MakedaJ

Excellent

A great idea and wonderfully exceuted.
kkeith

Fascinating

If you love documentaries you have to subscribe to this podcast.
CKinNYC

Story Behind the Story

As many documentarians know, sometimes the “story behind the story” is as interesting, if not more, than the actual documentary that is made. Now listeners will have first hand access to the filmmakers, what inspired the films, and what the experience behind the scenes was like. An excellent opportunity in podcasting, thanks to Thom Powers!
ratpacker2000

Can't Stop Listening

This provides so much insight into the documentary filmmaking process with talented and smart people. The background stories are interesting and add even more depth to the filmmakers' projects.
xoxo11

Pure pleasure

Nobody knows more about documentary film than Thom Powers.
MIssGNutmeg

Exciting!!!

I am so excited that doc guru Thom Powers will be creating this podcast for everyone to hear what motivated producers to create their documentary .... It should be quite interesting!!
GGcuseas

Good stuff!

If you like documentaries, you'll love Thom's podcast taking you "behind the scenes." Well done!
Helonsky

Love listening

What a great series! I love saving up a couple episodes and binge listening on a long walk. Thom picks interesting guests and is an insightful interviewer, making for pieces that are absorbing, inspiring and informative. I'm thrilled to be able to share PURE NONFICTION with my students. It's like getting to sit in on an intimate master class. Thank you!
Agreenerappleny

Podcasts and Powers = Perfection!

Having another medium to experience Thom's expertise into the documentary world, is a pure treat for all! Can't wait to hear more!
ishimishim

Diving deep into doc-makers inspirations

Smart, engaging, and illuminating conversations that take you deep into the motivations, decisions and hurdles behind documentary film.
maus286

Great insider access

Who documents the documentarians? Thom Powers! Fascinating and intimate stories from the brightest names in the business.
dmcmahon76

finally!

I simply can't think of a more qualified person to lead the conversations we need and crave after the release of the most important docs of our time. Thank you, Thom! This is the podcast we've been waiting for!
Tgrant2

So great

Smart and much needed for doc enthusiasts
Finsternish

No ones better!

Simply put, no one is closer to the epicenter of the documentary world than Thom Powers and no one is more knowledgeable about documentary films. This new series highlights Power's smarts and his endless curiosity. Highly recommended!
a_rossi

Extraordinary Resource

Thom Powers, leading voice in documentary film, has pioneered many platforms to advance the reach and power of documentarians. Here he’s created a podcast destination for all things documentary. This is an extraordinary and invaluable resource for all who enjoy consuming and making documentaries. Thom, with all his love of the art form, is the ideal guide to nonfiction storytelling.
AtlasP

Thoms the man

Great to hear these behind the scenes non-fiction world stories… Thoms the man— and has helped so many films get out to the world. If anyone can separate the great Q&A from the boring, its him!
mayslesdoc

Interesting and Insightful!!!

Tom Powers has put together an amazing lineup of interesting guests, and intriguing discussion about documentary film. It’s a great addition to my podcast lineup!
Claire Panke

Looking forward to each one!

Storytelling is in our DNA, and our stories about real events & people elevate and transform, educate and inspire - really excited about these podcasts about documentary filmmakers and the work they create! And Thom Powers is one of the most skilled interviewers out there, always asking insightful questions and leaving listeners feeling like they've gotten an insider's look at the making of each film.
Bones Tucker

Who would have thought...

This is a terrific format to talk about films and a great place to extend the conversation that begins at festivals and Stranger than Fiction. I only wish that there was an archive of the last decade of STF, so we could revisit all the great Q&A sessions Thom has had with filmmakers over the years.
S_Price

Refreshing window into the doc world!

The stories behind the stories are indeed just as fascinating and entertaining as the films themselves. Thom’s vast experience and connections give him the insider track to interviews that are inspiring, unpretentious and funny. Loving it!
Annie at ro*co films

Love it

Thanks Thom Powers for your commitment to docs and their place in our discourse. Often the best part of a film festival is hearing from the filmmakers - so fantastic that I can now access those conversations from your podcasts. LOVED the interview with Dawn!
Thorpism

Intimate and compelling

Binged first three episodes, can’t wait for the rest.
Watch too many films

Best new podcast

Thom Powers knows the world of documentaries as well as anyone. He'll introduce you to the film makers that you need to know about!
Silly Joe

Excellent, Riveting, Entertaining

Thanks Thom Powers for sharing these intimate, enlightening conversations with the world. So great to have another way to hear from these filmmakers!
BKirchoff

Essential Listening for Every Non-Fiction Junkie

Thom is a legend in the non-fiction world and to have his smarts come to me in regular intervals in audio form is a treat. If you are a documentary fan, this podcast is a must-have.
drhundertwasser

Inspiring

This is an exceptional podcast, incredibly insightful and incredibly well produced. Thom Powers' skills at the interview mic are right up there with Terry Gross and Charlie Rose -- getting to the heart of his creative guests, with humor and compassion. You'll learn about storytelling, and storytellers, on the cutting edge of the best documentaries being made in the world today. Well worth subscribing & listening.
KatharineBailey

Doc Junkie

Love the tone and the insight. Being a huge fan of documentaries and loving to get deep into stories I care about, this ensures an even more compelling opportunity - the story behind making them. And Thom is just the person to take this journey with.
Zach Shev

Documentary interview bliss

Them Power is an authoritative voice in the world of documentary and it’s such a pleasure to hear him talk at length with a variety of great filmmakers. Pure Non Fiction is absolutely worth the listen!!
LauraNix

Finally!

Finally! We need a great podcast about nonfiction storytelling, and Thom is the man to make this happen. He’s tapped in to the most exciting non-fiction filmmaking in the world, and will get great interviews with the best filmmakers. So if you already love documentaries, or are new to them and want recommendations on what to watch - this is your podcast.
Cornelia Streetcar

Talkmaster Flash

Powers is the best! It is urgent that we have him talking to us, and his guests. Documentary film in America (and North America, and beyond) needs him and Raphaela and all their projects. Podcast is a must
Jhvanco

Terrific for fans of modern storytelling

Great new series with the biggest directors hosted by the consummate doc insider, Thom Powers.
DavidSnyderG

Docs Rock!

Thrilled that Thom Powers has created the Pure Nonfiction Podcast! I've seen him interview many filmmakers and he always asks the best questions to obtain the most interesting stories about who makes the films and the details behind them. I will be a devoted listener and am excited for what's to come!
noabsolute

Art Human

love it!
CaroPina305

A treat for doc lovers!

Thanks Thom Powers for continuing to innovate and helping us, the audience, go deeper into the world of documentaries. Look forward to future episodes.

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