Documentary Films Reality Check

FIRST TIME DIRECTOR NICK BEAULIEU AND PRODUCER DOUG BLOCK RECORDED OCTOBER 2026, 37 MINS.  My Omaha is about first time filmmaker Nick Beaulieu’s effort to understand his father, a devout Catholic and committed conservative whose politics increasingly diverged from Nick’s. What begins as an exploration of racial division in Omaha evolves into a deeply personal story as Nick turns the camera on his own family, documenting his relationship with his  dad during his father's battle with cancer. The film weaves together questions of politics, race, faith, and family in a way that feels both intimate and universally relatable. Nick talks about making his first documentary over many years, learning through the mistakes and discoveries of a long production, and facing the limits of political arguments when two people no longer share the same facts. Producer Doug Block, who worked with Nick for five years to develop the film, joins the conversation about finding the story in the footage—and making a film that reaches beyond one family.

Director Nick Davis on his new feature documentary. Recorded October, 2026, 25 minutes. "The right people at the right moment." Veteran filmmaker Nick Davis interviewed by Westdoc host Chuck Braverman on the truly magical moments in his documentary You Had To Be There: How the 1972 Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution. Davis talks about the cast, which included Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Victor Garber, and musical director Paul Shaffer; his own family heritage- grandfather Herman Mankiewicz wrote "Citizen Kane" and great uncle Joseph L. Mankiewicz was a legendary writer/director - and his Oscar winning dad Peter Davis. How was it working with executive producer Judd Apatow, and the joy of making this incredible film, which is running in theaters now.

Filmmakers Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller recorded September 2026 on their new feature documentary. 28 minutes.   A pop star, producer, manager, and creative force, Peter Asher helped shape the sound and story of modern  music while working alongside Paul McCartney,  James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King,  Barbra Streisand, and many more. Returning four years after their Leonard Cohen documentary (Westdoc episode #105), Geller and Goldfine also explore the surprising production journey behind the film—from navigating Beatles music rights to assembling appearances by Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, and Barbra Streisand. Dan and Dayna share candid insights about financing, clearing archival material and how they finance their films in todays market.

Writers are told to write what they know — the same applies to filmmakers. Lars and Torsten Brinkema, two brothers practically raised on skis, produced and directed Threshold, a compelling story of the public life and private struggles of four-time Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins, America’s most celebrated cross country skier. They reflect on the challenges of shooting in freezing conditions, working with drones, finding an agent, budgetary/ living expenses, and their symbiotic filmmaking relationship. Grab your parka and come along.

First time feature producer directors Eric Foss and Brandon Pickering not your normal BTS. Recorded August 2026, 30 minutes.   Sell Your House is a documentary by Eric Foss and Brandon Pickering, chronicling the making of The Last Stop In Yuma County. Both veterans of reality TV, they discuss their filmmaking journey, their distribution naiveté (“Maybe the distributor is being fair and I just don’t know how to do the math”), and the work/friendship dynamic. Join us for a very personal and compelling look at filmmaking.

Rustin Thompson’s elegy of small town cinemas, The Last Picture Shows, reflects his lone wolf approach to filmmaking. As director, producer, cinematographer, editor, and driver, the film is his singular vision of the state of public movie houses in the American West. He speaks with Westdoc about his equipment, the budget, his DIY distribution, expectations and his love of film and the need for movie theaters. Grab a seat and some popcorn - this is a good one.

Chuck Braverman learns all about Binge Networks and how they help filmmakers get distribution deals.

Writer and Film Festival Programmer ANTHONY KAUFMAN on the current status of documentaries

Producer Director IVY MEEROPOL and her doc on E. JEAN CARROLL who beat Trump in court for $88 million. Recorded May 26, 2026, 29 minutes. Recorded just a day before the Department of Justice announced their criminal investigation into the E. Jean Carroll case. In this powerful new episode of Westdoc Online the six‑year journey gaining access to E. Jean Carroll, the challenges of financing and producing a politically charged film and then distribution

In this new episode of Westdoc Online, Chuck Braverman sits down with visionary entrepreneur and filmmaker Michael Cioni, whose groundbreaking work has helped reshape modern digital filmmaking. From the early days of digital cinema and Final Cut Pro to his leadership at Frame.io and now his latest venture, Strada, Michael shares an insider’s perspective on the technologies transforming how films are created, edited, and shared.