Stanley Nelson

Stanley Nelson

Born 7 July 1955 in New York City, New York, USA

Stanley Earl Nelson Jr. (born June 7, 1951) is an American documentary filmmaker and a MacArthur Fellow known as a director, writer and producer of documentaries examining African-American history and experiences. He is a recipient of the 2013 National Humanities Medal from President Obama. He has won three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Read more

Among his notable films are Freedom Riders (2010), Wounded Knee (2009), Jonestown: The Life & Death of People's Temple (2006), Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice (2005), A Place of Our Own (2004), The Murder of Emmett Till (2003), and The Black Press: Soldiers without Swords (1998).

Director

See all 27 →
Sealed
2006
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple Director
Sealed
2019
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool Director
Sealed
2021
Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy Director
Sealed
2015
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution Director

Producer

See all 35 →
Sealed
2019
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool Producer
Sealed
2015
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution Producer
Sealed
2021
Attica Producer
Sealed
2010
Freedom Riders Producer

Writer

See all 10 →
Sealed
2015
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution Writer
Sealed
2021
Attica Writer
Sealed
2025
We Want the Funk! Author
Sealed
2010
Freedom Riders Writer

Sound

Sealed
1985
Frederick Douglass: An American Life Sound Recordist
Sealed
1976
Just Doin’ It (A Tale of Two Barbershops) Sound

Editor

Sealed
1987
Two Dollars and A Dream: The Story of Madame C.J. Walker Editor
Sealed
1976
Just Doin’ It (A Tale of Two Barbershops) Assistant Editor

Actor

Sealed
2004
A Place of Our Own Self - Narrator (voice)