Jonathan Stack
Encyclopedia
Jonathan David Stack is an American
documentary filmmaker.
to a teacher and worker, Jonathan spent much of his childhood exploring and took an early interest to film. He had the chance to travel a lot from a young age, which inspired him to learn about other cultures and teach himself several foreign languages. It wasn't until a chance encounter with a National Geographic film crew that Jonathan decided to pursue his life-long interest in film as a career.
’s Grand Jury Prize. While working as an independent filmmaker Jonathan earned a reputation for his unique ability to gain access into forbidden and even dangerous worlds. His exclusives include, President Charles Taylor’s farewell speech to the nation of Liberia
(Liberia: An Uncivil War co-directed by James Martin Brabazon
) and a rare interview with David Miscaivage, head of the Church of Scientology
(Inside the Church of Scientology). In 2008, Jonathan was the executive producer of Iron Ladies of Liberiahttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1093831/, a film that tells the story of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female president.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has worked in several capacities collaborating with artists and filmmakers from around the world. His films have been distributed through HBO, BBC
, Channel Four, the Discovery Channel
, A&E
and many others.
In 1991, Jonathan founded Gabriel Films, an independent documentary film production company. In 2008, he formed Highest Common Denominator Media Group. Jonathan Stack and HCD Media Group's newest venture is Gabriel City - an online community for those affected by incarceration in the United States.
The Farm: 10 Down (2009)
The Road to Redemption (2008)
Iron Ladies of Liberia (2007)
Dear Talula (2007)
Sick Humor (2003)
Justifiable Homicide (2002)
The Rodney Hulin Story (2001)
900 Women: Life in St. Gabriel's Women's Prison (2001)
No Escape: Prison Rape (2001)
Fight to the Max (2000)
The Gospel According to Mr. Allen (2000)
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo
(1999)
Shadows of Doubt: The State v. 85188 Vincent Simmons (1999)
The Farm: Angola, USA (film) (1998)
Final Judgment: The Execution of Antonio James (1996)
Harlem Diary: Nine Voices of Resilience (1995)
Shop Till You Drop (1993)
Boys From the Bronx (1993)
Damned in the USA (1991)
One Generation More (1991)
Television:
A Decade Behind Bars: Return to the Farm (National Geographic Channel)
Liberia: An Uncivil War (Discovery Times Channel)
Guns in America: Gun Life (Discovery Channel)
Return of the Kamikaze Kid (Discovery Channel)
New Orleans: Crime in the Crescent City (Court TV)
New York Justice (A&E)
Rite of Passage: Body-Piercing (Discovery Channel)
Medicine Behind Bars (Discovery Health)
Inshallah: Diary of an Afghan Woman (Oxygen)
After 9/11: Rebuilding Lives (Discovery Channel)
Only In America (Discovery Times)
Frontline/World (PBS)
A Chance to Grow (Discovery Channel)
The Farm: Angola, USA (film)
Dear Talula
Iron Ladies of Liberia
Liberia: An Uncivil War
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo
Final Judgment: The Execution of Antonio James
Harlem Diary: Nine Voices of Resilience
Damned in the USA
One Generation More
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
documentary filmmaker.
Biography
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to a teacher and worker, Jonathan spent much of his childhood exploring and took an early interest to film. He had the chance to travel a lot from a young age, which inspired him to learn about other cultures and teach himself several foreign languages. It wasn't until a chance encounter with a National Geographic film crew that Jonathan decided to pursue his life-long interest in film as a career.
Career
During his career, Jonathan has written, produced and directed over 25 films and 50 television programs including The Farm: Angola, USA (film), which was honored with the Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
’s Grand Jury Prize. While working as an independent filmmaker Jonathan earned a reputation for his unique ability to gain access into forbidden and even dangerous worlds. His exclusives include, President Charles Taylor’s farewell speech to the nation of Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
(Liberia: An Uncivil War co-directed by James Martin Brabazon
James Martin Brabazon
James Martin Brabazon , is a British documentary film-maker, journalist, author, and news photographer. Brabazon specializes in reporting from war zones and areas where access is restricted....
) and a rare interview with David Miscaivage, head of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
(Inside the Church of Scientology). In 2008, Jonathan was the executive producer of Iron Ladies of Liberiahttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1093831/, a film that tells the story of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female president.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has worked in several capacities collaborating with artists and filmmakers from around the world. His films have been distributed through HBO, BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, Channel Four, the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
, A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
and many others.
In 1991, Jonathan founded Gabriel Films, an independent documentary film production company. In 2008, he formed Highest Common Denominator Media Group. Jonathan Stack and HCD Media Group's newest venture is Gabriel City - an online community for those affected by incarceration in the United States.
Filmography
FilmsThe Farm: 10 Down (2009)
The Road to Redemption (2008)
Iron Ladies of Liberia (2007)
Dear Talula (2007)
Sick Humor (2003)
Justifiable Homicide (2002)
The Rodney Hulin Story (2001)
900 Women: Life in St. Gabriel's Women's Prison (2001)
No Escape: Prison Rape (2001)
Fight to the Max (2000)
The Gospel According to Mr. Allen (2000)
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo is a 1999 short documentary film directed by Simeon Soffer. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short....
(1999)
Shadows of Doubt: The State v. 85188 Vincent Simmons (1999)
The Farm: Angola, USA (film) (1998)
Final Judgment: The Execution of Antonio James (1996)
Harlem Diary: Nine Voices of Resilience (1995)
Shop Till You Drop (1993)
Boys From the Bronx (1993)
Damned in the USA (1991)
One Generation More (1991)
Television:
A Decade Behind Bars: Return to the Farm (National Geographic Channel)
Liberia: An Uncivil War (Discovery Times Channel)
Guns in America: Gun Life (Discovery Channel)
Return of the Kamikaze Kid (Discovery Channel)
New Orleans: Crime in the Crescent City (Court TV)
New York Justice (A&E)
Rite of Passage: Body-Piercing (Discovery Channel)
Medicine Behind Bars (Discovery Health)
Inshallah: Diary of an Afghan Woman (Oxygen)
After 9/11: Rebuilding Lives (Discovery Channel)
Only In America (Discovery Times)
Frontline/World (PBS)
A Chance to Grow (Discovery Channel)
Awards
The Road to Redemption- International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - Official Selection, 2008
The Farm: Angola, USA (film)
- Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film FestivalThe Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
- Grand Jury Prize, 1998 - Academy AwardsAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
- Best Documentary Feature: Nominee, 1999 - Doubletake Documentary Film Festival - Audience Award, 1998
- Emmy Awards - 1999
- Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Programming - Cinematography
- Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Programming - Picture Editing
- Outstanding Achievement in Non-Fiction Programming - Sound Editing: Nominee
- Outstanding Non-Fiction Special: Nominee
- Santa Barbara International Film FestivalSanta Barbara International Film FestivalThe Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a film festival and non-profit organization, established in 1985, that showcases independent American and international films. The SBIFF line-up includes 20 world premieres and 11 U.S. premieres, with newly expanded 11-day festival...
- Best Documentary, 2000 - Florida Film FestivalFlorida Film FestivalThe Florida Film Festival, produced by Enzian Theater in Maitland, Florida, is an annual international film festival. Showcasing the best American independent and foreign films, the festival has become one of the most respected regional film events in the United States.-Overview:The Festival...
- Grand Jury Prize, 1998 - San Francisco Film Festival - Golden Gate Award, 1998
- Thurgood Marshall Award, 1999
- New York Film Critics Circle - Best Non-Fiction Film, 1998
- National Society of Film CriticsNational Society of Film CriticsThe National Society of Film Critics is an American film critic organization. As of December 2007 the NSFC had approximately 60 members who wrote for a variety of weekly and daily newspapers.-History:...
- Best Non-Fiction Film, 1999 - Los Angeles Film Critics AssociationLos Angeles Film Critics AssociationThe Los Angeles Film Critics Association was founded in 1975. Its main purpose is to present yearly awards to members of the film industry who have excelled in their fields. These awards are presented each January...
- Best Documentary Film, 1999 - Taos Talking Pictures Film FestivalTaos Talking Pictures Film FestivalThe Taos Talking Pictures Film Festival ran from 1994 to 2003 with a peak budget of $750,000 in 2002 and attracted Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor, James Coburn and Julia Roberts....
- Taos Land Grant Award: Nominee, 1998 - Satellite AwardsSatellite AwardsThe Satellite Awards are an annual award given by the International Press Academy. The awards were originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards.- Film :*Best Actor – Drama*Best Actor – Musical or Comedy*Best Actress – Drama...
- Best Documentary: Nominee - 1998
Dear Talula
- Ashland Independent Film FestivalAshland Independent Film FestivalThe Ashland Independent Film Festival is a film festival in Ashland, Oregon, United States that has been presented by the non-profit Southern Oregon Film Society since 2001. Founded by D.W. and Steve Wood, the festival is held each spring over five days at the Varsity Theatre in downtown Ashland...
- Best Short, 2007 - International Cancer Film Festival - 2008
Iron Ladies of Liberia
- Encounters South Africa International Documentary Festival - Among the top 3 International Films
Liberia: An Uncivil War
- International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - Special Jury Prize, 2004
- International Documentary AssociationInternational Documentary AssociationInternational Documentary Association , founded in 1982, is a non-profit organization promoting documentary film, video and new media, to support the efforts of documentary filmmaking and video production makers around the world and to increase public appreciation and demand for the art of the...
- Courage Under Fire Award, 2004 - Emmy Awards - Nominated Twice, 2005
- Amnesty InternationalAmnesty InternationalAmnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
- DOEN Award Winner
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo
The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo is a 1999 short documentary film directed by Simeon Soffer. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short....
- Academy Award - Nominee, 2000
- International Documentary AssociationInternational Documentary AssociationInternational Documentary Association , founded in 1982, is a non-profit organization promoting documentary film, video and new media, to support the efforts of documentary filmmaking and video production makers around the world and to increase public appreciation and demand for the art of the...
- Short Documentary Winner, 2000
Final Judgment: The Execution of Antonio James
- CINE Film - Golden Eagle Award, 1996
- Emmy AwardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
- Winner, 1996 - CableACE AwardCableACE AwardThe CableACE Award was an award that was given from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in American cable television programming...
- Winner, 1996
Harlem Diary: Nine Voices of Resilience
- CINE Film - Golden Eagle Award, 1994
- CableACE AwardCableACE AwardThe CableACE Award was an award that was given from 1978 to 1997 to honor excellence in American cable television programming...
- Winner, 1994
Damned in the USA
- International Emmy Award - Best Arts Documentary, 1992
One Generation More
- CINE Film - Golden Eagle Award, 1991