Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Pure Nonfiction

Hear the world's top storytellers talk all things documentary film. Host Thom Powers is as well-connected as it gets in this world as a documentary curator for TIFF and other renowned festivals. He wrote the book "Mondo Documentary" that is “required reading for fans of nonfiction cinema,” says Judd Apatow. Our podcast guests range from documentary legends to emerging talent. Follow us on Instagram and Substack at @purenonfiction.

  1. JAN 8

    235: Oscar Shortlist Spotlight

    Fifteen films are shortlisted for the Oscars Feature Documentary category. On this episode, we hear from four of the directing teams: - "The Alabama Solution" with Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kauffman - "Yanuni" with Richard Ladkani - "My Undesirable Friends Part 1 - Last Air in Moscow" with Julia Loktev - "Cutting Through Rocks" with Sara Khaki and Mohammedreza Eyni These conversations were recorded an online edition of Documentary Spotlight, co-presented by The Ankler. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

    1h 5m

  2. JAN 5

    234: Ryan White & Megan Falley on "Come See Me in the Good Light"

    "Come See Me in the Good Light" (Apple TV) portrays a love story of the spoken word poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they make the most of their lives in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis. The film is joyous, funny and shortlisted for the Oscars' Best Documentary category. Pure Nonfiction host speaks with the director Ryan White and the one of the film's key figures Megan Falley. You can hear producer Jessica Hargrave interviewed on episode 229. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

    47 min
  3. 233: Alexandria Stapleton on "Sean Combs: The Reckoning"

    12/20/2025

    233: Alexandria Stapleton on "Sean Combs: The Reckoning"

    Director Alexandria Stapleton discusses her Netflix series "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," backed by executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews Stapleton about each episode of the series and the participants who overcame years of fear and intimidation to finally speak out. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction@thompowers1

    45 min

  4. 12/04/2025

    232: Apocalypse in the Tropics

    "Apocalypse in the Tropics" explores the tumultuous battle to save democracy in Brazil. It reveals striking parallels to politics in the United States. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers speaks with director Petra Costa and producer Alessandra Orofino. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

    47 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    231: Docs from Five Countries

    Host Thom Powers interviews the film teams behind five projects that are qualified for the Oscars: MY MOM JAYNE (director Mariska Hargitay, producer Trish Adlesic, editor J.D. Marlow) exploring the life of Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield through the eyes of her daughter.  PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK (director Sepideh Farsi) profiling the Gaza photographer Fatma Hassona. CHILD OF DUST (director Weronika Mliczewska, producr Bao Nguyen) follows the lifelong dream of a man in Vietnam to meet his father in the U.S. NORITA (director Jayson McNamara, producer Sarah Schoellkopf) tells the history of Argentinian activist Nora Cortiñas. QOTZUÑI: PEOPLE OF THE LAKE (directors Michael Salama, Gastón Zilberman) looks at an indigenous community in Bolivia trying to recover from the disappearance of a massive lake. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

    1h 33m

  6. 10/24/2025

    230: Storks, Orphans, Rebels & Predators

    Hear the filmmakers behind four of this year's most acclaimed documentaries: director Tamara Kotevska ("Honeyland") and cinematographer Jean Dakar on "The Tale of Silyan"; first time director Beth Lane on "UnBroken"; co-director Mohammedreza Eyni on "Cutting Through Rocks"; director David Osit and producer Jamie Goncalves on "Predators." These talks were recorded before a live audience in Los Angeles at our Documentary Spotlight event in partnership with The Ankler. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

    1h 1m

  7. 10/23/2025

    229: Poetry, Murder, Prison & UFOs

    Recorded live in Los Angeles, we partnered with The Ankler to bring you conversations covering four new documentaries: producer Jessica Hargrave (pictured) on “Come See Me in the Good Light”; director Dan Farah on “The Age of Disclosure”; producer Alisa Payne on “The Perfect Neighbor”; and directors Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman on “The Alabama Solution.” Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

    1h 2m

  8. 08/28/2025

    228: Contessa Gayles on "Songs From the Hole"

    "Songs From the Hole," now playing on Netflix, won the SXSW Audience Award and the Blackstar Jury Prize for its artful approach to telling a story about solitary confinement. "It's eye-opening in a way you may have forgotten your eyes could still be opened," wrote critic Daniel Fienberg in The Hollywood Reporter. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews director Contessa Gayles about her career path from working inside CNN to going independent. Her other films include "The Feminist on Cellblock Y" and "The Debutantes." Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction@thompowers1

    24 min
See All (237)

4.4
out of 5
214 Ratings

About

Hear the world's top storytellers talk all things documentary film. Host Thom Powers is as well-connected as it gets in this world as a documentary curator for TIFF and other renowned festivals. He wrote the book "Mondo Documentary" that is “required reading for fans of nonfiction cinema,” says Judd Apatow. Our podcast guests range from documentary legends to emerging talent. Follow us on Instagram and Substack at @purenonfiction.

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