Variety & Rolling Stone Truth Seekers Summit

9:30 AM - 10:10 AM ET

Political Groundbreakers Roundtable

Yamiche Alcindor - Washington Correspondent, NBC News
Zeke Miller - Deputy Washington Bureau Chief, The Associated Press
Alex Thompson - National Political Correspondent, Axios and co-author of #1 NYT Bestseller "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Decision to Run Again"
Brian Steinberg (Moderator) - Senior TV Editor, Variety
Antonia Hylton - MSNBC Correspondent and Co-Host, “The Weekend: Primetime”
Annmarie Hordern - Chief Political Correspondent, Bloomberg Television

A look at key figures covering the fast-moving world of politics and current events. What are the latest ways to break through to audiences now? What are techniques in getting at the truth in a divided political atmosphere? Top journalists across media platforms share their stories.

10:10 AM - 10:30 AM ET

Conversation with Ronny Chieng, Stand Up Comedian and Emmy-Winning Correspondent, The Daily Show

Ronny Chieng - Stand Up Comedian and Emmy-Winning Correspondent, "The Daily Show"
Tatiana Siegel (Moderator) - Executive Editor, Film and Media, Variety

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET

Truth Seekers Award Presentation & Q&A

Jake Tapper - Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent, CNN, Host, The Lead with Jake Tapper and State of the Union and Co-Author, "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-up and His Disastrous Decision to Run Again"
Abby Phillip (Presenter) - Anchor of CNN's "NewsNight with Abby Phillip"
Ramin Setoodeh (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM ET

Keynote Conversation with “Room to Move”

Alexander Hammer - Director, Cinematographer & Editor, “Room to Move”
Jenn Freeman - Subject, “Room to Move”
Aramide Tinubu (Moderator) - TV Critic, Variety

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM ET

Keynote Conversation with “Have I Got News For You”

Amber Ruffin - Team Captain, “Have I Got News For You”
Roy Wood Jr. - Host, “Have I Got News For You”
Asawin "Swin" Suebsaeng (Moderator) - Senior Political Reporter, Rolling Stone

12:15 PM - 12:45 PM ET

Close up on "Bodyguard of Lies"

Dan Krauss - Director, “Bodyguard of Lies”
Craig Whitlock - Reporter, The Washington Post
Susan Zirinsky (Moderator) - President, See It Now Studios

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Documentary Roundtable

R.J. Cutler - Academy Award nominated and Emmy winning Filmmaker, “Martha"
Bao Nguyen - Director, “The Greatest Night in Pop,” "The Stringer"
Elegance Bratton - Director, Producer & Writer, “Move Ya Body: The Birth of House”
Mary Robertson - EP, “The Fall of Diddy” & Founder, Maxine Productions
Jennifer Tiexiera - Director & Producer, “Rebecca,” “Speak.”
Dan Krauss - Director, “Bodyguard of Lies”
Daniel D’Addario (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.

2:30 PM - 3:05 PM ET

The State of Documentary Industry

Dan O'Meara - EVP, Nonfiction, NEON
Sylvia Bugg - Chief Programming Executive & GM of General Audience Programming, PBS
Carrie Lozano - President & CEO, ITVS
Cara Cusumano - Festival Director & SVP Programming, Tribeca
Karol Martesko-Fenster - CEO/President, Abramorama
Brent Lang (Moderator) - Executive Editor, Variety

A look at the current state of doc development, production and distribution. What platforms are on the biggest hunt for docs?  What is the role that film festivals are playing in the doc filmmaking business? Who are key players helping to push docs from greenlight to screen?

3:05 PM - 3:20 PM ET

Fireside chat with “Deaf President Now!”

Nyle DiMarco - Co-Director and Producer, "Deaf President Now!”
Rebecca Rubin (Moderator) - Senior Film and Media Reporter, Variety

Hear about the making of "Deaf President Now!," the documentary detailing the events leading up to the landmark passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

3:20 PM - 4:00 PM ET

Masters of True Crime and Investigative Storytelling

Ben McKenzie - Actor & Director, “Everyone is Lying to You For Money”
Julia Willoughby Nason - Director & EP, “American Murder: Gabby Petito”
Joe Berlinger - EP, “Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders,” Director & EP, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey”
Lisa Cortés - Director & EP, “Murder Has Two Faces”
Shannon Evangelista - Co-Founder, Hot Snakes Media, EP, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace"
Brenna Ehrlich (Moderator) - Chief Research Editor, Rolling Stone

An exploration into the leaders of fan favorite true crime genre who continue to break new ground in investigative storytelling. How are filmmakers revealing new information, finding new leads and bringing something fresh to known crime stories? How might filmmakers approach the responsibility in working in this genre, such as balancing sensitivities with victims' families? Masters of true crime and investigative storytelling tell all.

Agenda