THE CONVERSATION STARTS HERE.
Variety & Rolling Stone Truth Seekers Summit presented by Paramount+, explores the art of documentary and investigative storytelling.
Don’t miss exclusive keynote conversations and panel discussions with leading documentary filmmakers, journalists, and cultural trendsetters making an impact and effecting change.
Registration for the live stream is free but required for access.
Agenda - More Coming Soon
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM PT
Arrivals and Networking
9:30 AM - 9:40 AM PT
Opening Remarks – Variety and Rolling Stone
9:40 AM - 10:20 AM PT
Politics in the Zeitgeist
Abby Phillip - CNN Anchor and Political Correspondent
Yamiche Alcindor - Washington Correspondent, NBC News
Katy Tur - Anchor, MSNBC’s "Katy Tur Reports"
Geoff Bennett - Co-Anchor, PBS News Hour
Ramin Setoodeh (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety
10:20 AM - 10:45 AM PT
Fireside Chat with Susan Zirinsky, President, See It Now Studios, CBS News
Susan Zirinsky - President, See It Now Studios, CBS News
Brian Steinberg (Moderator) - Senior TV Editor, Variety
10:45 AM - 11:05 AM PT
Networking Break
11:05 AM - 11:35 AM PT
Keynote Conversation with Filmmaker Alex Gibney
Alex Gibney - Oscar and Emmy-winning Filmmaker
Gus Wenner (Moderator) - CEO, Rolling Stone
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM PT
Trailblazers in Investigative Reporting
John Walsh - Host and Executive Producer, “America’s Most Wanted”
Callahan Walsh - Co-Host, “America’s Most Wanted”
Brenna Ehrlich (Moderator) - Chief Research Editor, Rolling Stone
12:05 PM - 1:05 PM PT
Networking Lunch
1:05 PM - 1:45 PM PT
Best Mashup - Politics, Humor, Pop Culture
Amber Ruffin - Tony, Emmy and WGA Award-nominated Writer and Comedian
Charlamagne Tha God - Co-Host, "The Breakfast Club"
Lewis Black - Correspondent, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"
Alex Edelman - Comedian & Writer, "Just for Us"
Aramide Tinubu (Moderator) - TV Critic, Variety
A look at the achievements of top entertainers who integrate current events, cultural moments and their point of view into their work. Where do they draw inspiration? What are highlights from their projects? Writers, producers, stand-up comedians and other creative talent share their stories.
1:45 PM - 2:05 PM PT
Fireside Chat with Nancy Grace, Host, “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” and Founder/Publisher of CrimeOnline
Nancy Grace - Host, “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” and Founder/Publisher of CrimeOnline
2:05 PM - 2:45 PM PT
Documentary Panel
Alex Stapleton - Director, “God Save Texas”
Rahman Ali Bugg - Director, “Exposing Parchman,” “Welcome to Rap City”
Nanette Burstein - Director, EP, “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes”
Gotham Chopra - Director, EP, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story” & “In The Arena: Serena Williams”
Dan D'Daddario (Moderator) - Chief Correspondent, Variety
Meet the minds behind recent breakout documentaries. What are strategies to land upon a topic and drive a compelling narrative around a true story? Standout documentary filmmakers lift back the curtain on their experiences.
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM PT
True Crime Masters Tell All
Muta’Ali Muhammad - Filmmaker, “MoviePass MovieCrash,” “Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn”
Christian Hansen - Cast & EP, “American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders”
Amara Cofer - Host and Co-Creator, "Black Girl Gone"
Brian Knappenberger - Director, “Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and Turning Point”
Andrew Jarecki - Emmy-winning Executive Producer/Creator, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst Parts 1 & 2
Geeta Gandbhir - Director, “Born in Synanon”
EJ Dickson (Moderator) - Senior Culture Writer, Rolling Stone
A look at the achievements of producers, directors and writers of true crime projects. What does it take to break through to audiences? How are crime subjects chosen - what are filmmaking strategies for this storytelling genre? Creative masters of true crime spill their stories.
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM PT
Truth Seekers Award Presentation and Q&A
E. Jean Carroll - Journalist
Tessa Stuart (Moderator) - Senior Writer, Rolling Stone
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PT
Cocktail Networking Reception
Speakers - More Coming Soon
![Yamiche Alcindor](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4167762-66901af8b6431.png)
![Rahman Ali Bugg](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4156705-668c262a262af.png)
Rahman Ali Bugg
Director, “Exposing Parchman,” “Welcome to Rap City”
![Geoff Bennett](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4198733-669ffcff9e03d.png)
![Lewis Black](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4144060-668442b286a20.png)
![Nanette Burstein](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4156713-668c267476ed1.png)
Nanette Burstein
Director, EP, “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes”
![E. Jean Carroll](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4205476-66a27c55cd592.png)
E. Jean Carroll
Journalist
![Gotham Chopra](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4205498-66a27c9b33039.jpg)
Gotham Chopra
Director, EP
“Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story” & “In The Arena: Serena Williams”
![Amara Cofer](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4144090-668444c372087.png)
![EJ Dickson (Moderator)](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4205902-66a291ffcd483.jpeg)
![Alex Edelman](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4167781-66901be91f2a2.png)
Alex Edelman
Comedian & Writer, "Just for Us"
![Geeta Gandbhir](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4185103-669894ac80778.png)
![Alex Gibney](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4143945-66843d6e706da.png)
Alex Gibney
Oscar and Emmy-winning Filmmaker
![Nancy Grace](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4143894-6684398f3ff85.png)
Nancy Grace
Host, “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” and Founder/Publisher of CrimeOnline
![Christian Hansen](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4167782-66901c1fd69f4.png)
![Andrew Jarecki](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4144098-6684455e805a6.png)
Andrew Jarecki
Emmy-winning Executive Producer/Creator, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst Parts 1 & 2
![Brian Knappenberger](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4198758-669ffe1f7bfae.png)
![Muta’Ali Muhammad](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4198752-669ffde50694e.png)
![Abby Phillip](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4143921-66843c5c282e5.png)
Abby Phillip
CNN Anchor and Political Correspondent
![Amber Ruffin](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4144044-66844208acfd9.png)
Amber Ruffin
Tony, Emmy and WGA Award-nominated Writer and Comedian
![Alex Stapleton](http://assets.swoogo.com/uploads/thumb/4156694-668c25de43248.png)
Alex Stapleton
Director, “God Save Texas”
Sponsorship & Table Sales
Michelle Fine- Smith
michelle.fine-smith@variety.com
Registration Questions
Flavio Gomez
flgomez@variety.com
Programming
Susanne Ault
susanne.ault@variety.com