DANA NACHMAN
DIRECTOR / WRITER / PRODUCER
Dana Nachman is an award-winning director and the creative force behind Sweet World Films. Known for her ability to craft emotionally powerful narratives—whether in investigative journalism or heartwarming family films—her work has captivated millions worldwide. Her films stream on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+.
A former journalist turned filmmaker, Nachman made her directorial debut with Witch Hunt, executive produced and narrated by Sean Penn, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before being acquired by MSNBC Films. Since then, she has helmed five additional feature documentaries, all of which have been successfully sold and distributed to global audiences.
Her critically acclaimed documentary Pick of the Litter (2018) led to a Disney+ original series adaptation, which she showran and directed. Dear Santa (2020), acquired by IFC Films, not only became a Hulu hit but was also adapted into a series, which Nachman directed. The series premiered on ABC in December 2022 and is now streaming its second season on Hulu. The film earned the Best Feature Film award at Tribeca X, along with eight Telly Awards and a Brand Film Award.
Nachman’s 2015 documentary Batkid Begins was acquired and distributed by Warner Bros./New Line Cinema and was optioned by Julia Roberts' production company, Red Om Films, for a narrative adaptation.
Her storytelling prowess extends beyond documentary filmmaking. Her narrative short Hook Up 2.0 premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, while The Final Show, starring Marion Ross, won multiple comedy awards.
Recognized as a leader in the field, Nachman has received Best Female Director honors at both the Cleveland International Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival. She has also been selected twice as a U.S. envoy for the prestigious American Film Showcase, traveling globally to promote film diplomacy.
In 2025, she was chosen as one of only seven fellows—out of more than 500 applicants, by the Alliance of Women Directors Feature Film Initiative. As part of this prestigious fellowship, she is currently developing her first feature-length narrative film, a romantic comedy.
Nachman is a member of the Directors Guild of America and an active member of the DGA Women’s Steering Committee, advocating for greater opportunities for female filmmakers.
Beyond filmmaking, Nachman is a guest lecturer at Stanford University, where she trains journalism students in on-camera interviewing techniques. A New York native, she holds a dual degree in Middle Eastern Studies and International Relations from Trinity College and a master’s in Broadcast Journalism from NYU. She lives in Northern California with her husband and three children.
