The Sing Sing Chronicles won the coveted title of best documentary on night two of the 2025 News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
The film, from MSNBC, spotlights the connection between a journalist, Dan Slepian, and a man incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, who was wrongfully convicted of murder.
Dawn Porter directed The Sing Sing Chronicles while Kimberly Ferdinando served as an executive producer.
Also during the ceremony, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jon Else was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Carrie Lozano. On Wednesday, longtime NBC Today weather anchor Al Roker also received the honor.
“The talents of our journalistic and documentary communities have profoundly shaped our culture and nation,” said Terry O’Reilly, Chairman of NATAS. “In the face of evolving societal landscapes, their unwavering dedication to truth and storytelling has illuminated critical issues, fostered crucial conversations and empowered the public.”
A wave of honorees were inducted into the Gold and Silver Circle society this year as well, recognized for their contribution to the television and wider broadcasting community. Gold Circle honorees include Marc Burstein and Martha Teichner, while Silver Circle honorees include Akram Abi-Hanna, Cater Lee, Bill Owens and Deborah Roberts.
Presenters on Thursday night included Muta’Ali (MoviePass, MovieCrash), Joe Berlinger (Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial), Lisa Cortés (The Space Race), Gabriela Cowperthwaite (The Grab) and Barak Goodman (Kissinger).
Presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, winners in the documentary categories were awarded Thursday night at the Palladium Times Square in New York City. On Wednesday night, the prize winners in the news categories were announced, with CBS, ABC, CNN and National Geographic being among the night’s top winners.
Last night, ABC World News Tonight With David Muir took home the award for outstanding live news program. Overall, CBS collected the most Emmys one night one, with a total of five wins.
See below for a complete list of the documentary Emmy winners.
Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary
We Will Dance Again
Paramount+ [See It Now Studios, HOT 8, BBC Storyville, Bitachon 365]
Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary
The Sixth
A24 [Change Content]
Outstanding Social Issue Documentary
Two American Families: 1991-2024
FRONTLINE, PBS
Outstanding Investigative Documentary
American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders
Netflix [Stardust Frames, Duplass Brothers Productions]
Outstanding Historical Documentary
Tsunami: Race Against Time
National Geographic [Blast Films]
Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary
Madu
Disney+ [Disney Branded Television, Hunting Lane Films]
Outstanding Science and Technology Documentary
Hunt for the Oldest DNA
NOVA, PBS [Handful of Films, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, NOVA/GBH, ZDF, DR Danish Broadcasting Corporation]
Outstanding Nature Documentary
Paul Nicklen & Cristina Mittermeier: Win or Die
Photographer, National Geographic [Little Monster Films]
Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary
Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy
Netflix [Grain Media]
Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary
The Truth vs. Alex Jones
HBO | Max [HBO Documentary Films, AMOS Pictures]
Outstanding Short Documentary
The Dirty Business of Monkey Laundering
Bloomberg Investigates, Bloomberg
Best Documentary
The Sing Sing Chronicles
MSNBC [NBC News Studios, MSNBC Films, Trilogy Films]
Outstanding Writing – Documentary
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
National Geographic [Silverback Films]
Outstanding Research – Documentary
The Grab
Center for Investigative Reporting Studios [Magnolia Pictures, Participant Media, Rocklin | Faust, Impact Partners
Outstanding Direction – Documentary
Frida
Prime Video [Imagine Documentaries, TIME Studios]
Outstanding Cinematography – Documentary
Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough
Netflix [CBC, Sky, Humble Bee Films]
Outstanding Editing – Documentary
Blink
National Geographic [MRC, EYESTEELFILM, National Geographic Documentary Films, Fishbowl Films, Motive]
Outstanding Graphic Design – Documentary
Omnivore
Apple TV+ [Fifth Season, Film 45]
Outstanding Music Composition – Documentary
Endurance
National Geographic [A Little Dot Studios, Consequential, History Hit Production, Little Monster Films, National Geographic Documentary Films]
Outstanding Sound – Documentary
Earthsounds
Apple TV+ [Offspring Films]
Outstanding Lighting Direction – Documentary
Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial
Netflix [Smuggler Entertainment, Third Eye Motion Picture Company]
Outstanding Art Direction / Set Decoration / Scenic Design – Documentary
You’re Being Lied To About Voter Fraud. Here’s the Truth.
The New York Times Opinion, The New York Times [Sharp As Knives]
Outstanding Promotional Announcement – Documentary
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
National Geographic [Silverback Films, Silk Factory]
Outstanding Regional Documentary
The Holly
Rocky Mountain Public Media [Heartland Chapter]
