Joshua Zeman

Joshua Zeman

ProducerDirectorWriter
Born
May 4, null
Awards
12 wins, 19 nominations

Joshua Zeman is a leading voice in documentary filmmaking, known for his critically acclaimed true crime and investigative storytelling. His 2009 film Cropsey is regarded as one of the most influential true crime documentaries of all time, blending horror with real-life mystery. Zeman also directed…

Biography

Joshua Zeman is a leading voice in documentary filmmaking, known for his critically acclaimed true crime and investigative storytelling. His 2009 film Cropsey is regarded as one of the most influential true crime documentaries of all time, blending horror with real-life mystery. Zeman also directed The Killing Season, a docuseries that helped shed new light on the Gilgo Beach murders, and Murder Mountain, a deep dive into the dark side of the marijuana industry. His 2021 series, The Sons of Sam, was the #1 most-watched Netflix series at the time of its release, while his documentary The Loneliest Whale, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, earned multiple Critics Choice Award nominations and was called "a modern-day Moby Dick" by the LA Times.

Most recently, Zeman directed Checkpoint Zoo, a film detailing the evacuation of more than 5000 animals from a zoo in war-torn Ukraine, which won the Audience Award at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. On the narrative side, Zeman's screenplay Fresh Kills was optioned by New Line and Forensic Films, and his work has earned him multiple fellowships. His production credits include acclaimed films like The Station Agent and Mysterious Skin, solidifying his reputation in both the documentary and narrative film worlds.

Production Manager

Get Well SoonGet Well Soon(2001)
Full Tilt BoogieFull Tilt Boogie(1997)

Second Unit or Assistant Director

UndefeatedUndefeated(2003)
RitualRitual(2002)
That Brief Moment(2002)
Get Well SoonGet Well Soon(2001)
According to SpencerAccording to Spencer(2001)

Camera and Electrical Department

The Big OneThe Big One(1997)
Female PerversionsFemale Perversions(1996)

Location Management

American CuisineAmerican Cuisine(1998)

Production Department

Kicking and ScreamingKicking and Screaming(1995)
Sleep with MeSleep with Me(1994)

Self

Impact x NightlineImpact x Nightline(2022)as Self - Documentary Filmmaker 'The Killing Season'
Reel Ukraine: A Zoristar PodcastReel Ukraine: A Zoristar Podcast(2026)as Self - Guest
Monster: Hunting the Long Island Serial KillerMonster: Hunting the Long Island Serial Killer(2025)as Self - Host
20/2020/20(1978)as Self - Director, 'The Killing Season', Self - Director, The Killing Season
Architect of Death: The Long Island Serial KillerArchitect of Death: The Long Island Serial Killer(2023)as Self - Director of 'The Killing Season'

Known for

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Photos 8

Joshua Zeman in The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52 (2021)Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills in The Killing Season (2016)Joshua ZemanJoshua Zeman in The Killing Season (2016)Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills in Killer Legends (2014)Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills in The Killing Season (2016)