The annual International Documentary Association Awards are in the spotlight of this episode, which was recorded on location in Los Angeles, including a visit to the ceremony at the Paramount Theatre. IDA executive director Simon Kilmurry talks about assuming that role in 2015, the importance of the awards and his organization's mission. Career achievement winner Gordon Quinn of Kartemquin Films reflects on his decades spent making socially conscious documentaries. And award winners Stevan Riley ("Listen to Me Marlon"), Brett Morgen ("Cobain: Montage of Heck") and Matthew Heineman ("Cartel Land") weigh in on their big nights.

The Documentary Podcast

Documentary Podcast #17: IDA Awards, including Simon Kilmurry, Gordon Quinn

The Documentary Podcast recaps some highlights from the Toronto International Film Festival and talks with Oscar-winning director Davis Guggenheim about his film "He Named Me Malala and with the director of "A Flickering Truth," Pietra BrettKelly. Brought to you by the Free Film Festival and Detroit Free Press.

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 15: Davis Guggenheim, Pietra BrettKelly and TIFF

We look back on the 2015 DOCNYC festival with a particular focus on several character-driven films that screened in New York. Director Jon Fox talks about hard-nosed inventor Joseph Newman, the protagonist of "Newman." NBA'er and playground legend Lloyd Daniels is profiled in "The Legend of Swee Pea," which is represented by director Benjamin May. And Michel Negroponte, the co-director of "An Autobiography of Michelle Maren" also joins the episode.

The Documentary Podcast #16: DOCNYC, with Benjamin May, Michel Negroponte, Jon Fox

Joshua Oppenheimer, the director of "The Act of Killing" and "The Look of Silence" is a guest on "The Documentary Podcast." Brought to you by the Freep Film Festival and the Detroit Free Press.

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 14: 'Act of Killing' and 'Look of Silence'

The Documentary Podcast talks to Alex Winter, David Thorpe and Douglas Tirola at the Traverse City Film Festival. Brought to you by the Freep Film Festival and Detroit Free Press.

'The Documentary Podcast,' Ep. 13: Traverse City Film Festival - Deep Web, National Lampoon

In episode 12 of 'The Documentary Podcast,' we talk with the directors of the new documentaries about Amy Winehouse and Nina Simone. Brought to you by the Freep Film Festival and Detroit Free Press.

'The Documentary Podcast,' Ep. 12: New docs about Amy Winehouse and Nina Simone

With the three "Decline of Western Civilization" films collected in a new boxed set, "The Documentary Podcast" talks with director Penelope Spheeris and John Doe of X, whose band was featured in the first film.

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 11: 'Decline of Western Civilization,' with Penelope Spheeris, John Doe

"The Nightmare" director Rodney Ascher joins the latest episode of "The Documentary Podcast" to talk about his new film. Its exploration of sleep paralysis has been compared to a horror movie.

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 10: "The Night

The filmmakers behind "Frame by Frame" and "Southern Rites" join the latest episode of "The Documentary Podcast," which focuses on the just-wrapped Hot Docs film fest. Both movies played the event, and "Southern Rites" debuts on May 18 on HBO. Brought to you be the Freep Film Festival and Detroit Free Press

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 9: Hot Docs, Frame by Frame, Southern Rites

In episode 8 of "The Documentary Podcast" we talk with Sundance senior programmer Caroline Libresco, Hot Docs director of programming Charlotte Cook and Tonje Hessen Schei, the director of the new documentary "Drone." Brought to you by the Freep Film Festival and Detroit Free Press

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 8: Sundance, Hot Docs and 'Drone'

"The Documentary Podcast" talks Oscar nominations -- and what docs we would have chosen if we'd made the Academy Awards picks. We also talk to legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman about his career and latest film, "National Gallery." Brought to you by the Freep Film Festival and Detroit Free Press.

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 7: Oscars and Frederick Wiseman

"The Documentary Podcast" talks with the International Documentary Association's Marjan Safinia, "Alive Inside" director and subject Michael Rossato-Bennett and Dan Cohen and Clare Lewins, director of "I Am Ali."

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 6: IDA, Alive Inside, I am Ali

In episode 5 of "The Documentary Podcast" talk with Nikolas Rossi, director of the Elliot Smith documentary "Heaven Adores You," and to One9, director of "Time is Illmatic," the new doc about hip-hop artist Nas and his album "Illmatic."

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 5: Heaven Adores You, Time is Illmatic

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 4: We talk with Toronto International Film Festival documentary programmer Thom Powers to preview the festival, along with Michael Moore, whose "Roger and Me" is celebrating its 25th anniversary at TIFF.

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 4: TIFF, Thom Powers and Michael Moore

Episode 3 was recorded on location at the Traverse City Film Festival, where we spoke with "Silenced" director James Speone, "Virunga" director Orlando von Einsiedel and TIFF documentary programmer Thom Powers.

The Documentary Podcast, Ep. 3: TCFF and Thom Powers, Silenced and Virunga

Interview, news and analysis from the world of documentary films.