



Stanley Nelson
Directing1955New York City, New York, USA

Biography
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.
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).
Acting History
2026
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Executive Producer
2025
Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect
Executive Producer
The Inquisitor
Executive Producer
Free for All: The Public Library
Executive Producer
We Want the Funk!
Director
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
Executive Producer
True North
Executive Producer
2024
Sister Úna Lived a Good Death
Executive Producer
Disco’s Revenge
Executive Producer
2023
Jonathan Thunder: Good Mythology
Executive Producer
Bulls and Saints
Executive Producer
Sound of the Police
Director
Sound of the Police
Producer
Sydney G. James: How We See Us
Executive Producer
Birthing a Nation: The Resistance of Mary Gaffney
Executive Producer
2022
Hazing
Executive Producer
Becoming Frederick Douglass
Director
Becoming Frederick Douglass
Producer
Becoming Frederick Douglass
Executive Producer
After Jackie
Producer
2021
2020
30 for 30: Vick
Director
Black Panthers
TVDirector
2019
2018
Black Memorabilia
Script Supervisor
The Story of Access
Director
2017
2014
Freedom Summer
Director
Freedom Summer
Writer
2012
2010
2009
30 for 30
TVDirector
We Shall Remain
TVDirector
2008
Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans
Executive Producer
2006
2004
A Place of Our Own
as Self - Narrator (voice)
A Place of Our Own
Writer
A Place of Our Own
Director
A Place of Our Own
Producer
2003
The Murder of Emmett Till
Director
2001
1996
The Daily Show
TVas Self
1988
American Experience
TVProducer
American Experience
TVWriter
1985
Frederick Douglass: An American Life
Sound Recordist
1981
1976
Just Doin’ It (A Tale of Two Barbershops)
Assistant Editor

