Doc Talks: Sam Pollard and J.M. Harper
Doc Talks’ final gathering profiles the esteemed and prolific Sam Pollard and rising star J.M. Harper. Pollard and Harper will discuss their newest features, Tutu and Soul Patrol, and their processes of excavating history, culture, and politics in their work.
Description
Doc Talks’ final gathering profiles the esteemed and prolific Sam Pollard and rising star J.M. Harper. Pollard and Harper will discuss their newest features, Tutu and Soul Patrol, and their processes of excavating history, culture, and politics in their work.
About the Films
Soul Patrol
J.M. Harper (USA 2026, 100 min)
This moving, creative, and seminal documentary depicts the final reunion of an all-Black six-man patrol team in Vietnam, ensuring that their courage and experiences are not lost to history.
Tutu
Sam Pollard (UK 2026, 102 min)
A revelatory portrait of Desmond Tutu, the beloved South African archbishop whose fearless moral voice, infectious humor, and unwavering commitment to justice helped reshape a nation and inspire generations.
Attendee Information
Doc Talks is a series of filmmaker conversations exploring both the creative and practical realities of documentary storytelling. They feature acclaimed directors and producers sharing insights into their process and strategy, and are designed for both filmmakers and film lovers. Please RSVP as soon as possible if you would like to attend. This event will be overbooked to ensure full attendance, with admission available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins; we recommend arriving early to secure your spot. Note: This is a 21+ venue with a bar, all guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
DOC STORIES LOUNGE SPONSORED BY
Biographies
J.M. Harper is a writer/director living in Brooklyn with his family and a cat named Miles Davis. While studying German media theory at Princeton, he started making films. He was awarded the US Documentary Directing Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival for Soul Patrol. His directorial debut As We Speak is an Emmy-nominated documentary about the growing use of rap lyrics as evidence in the US criminal justice system. He was named to DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40 list in 2024. In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious Concordia Fellowship, the Film Independent Amplifier Fellowship, and is a Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film Finalist.
Sam Pollard is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning director, producer, and editor whose career spans four decades. Born and raised in Harlem, his work explores the African American experience across history, politics, art, and culture. A longtime collaborator of Spike Lee, he co-produced the Academy Award-nominated 4 Little Girls (1997). His directing credits include Slavery by Another Name (2012), Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me (2017), Mr. SOUL! (2018), MLK/FBI (2020), and Black Art: In the Absence of Light (2021). Pollard received the IDA Career Achievement Award in 2020.