IDA Conversation Series: Sheila Nevins

In this special edition of the IDA Conversation Series, co-presented with the USC School of Cinematic Arts, we traversed the unwavering career of the legendary HBO Executive Producer Sheila Nevins.

As one of the most influential figures in the history of documentary filmmaking, Sheila Nevins has been at the helm of HBO Documentary Films for over three decades and has overseen the production of over 1,000 documentaries. In her iconic and eclectic career as the “Queen of Documentary” Sheila has received 32 Primetime Emmys®, 34 News and Documentary Emmys®, and 42 Peabody Awards for projects such as Taxicab Confessions, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, and Ghosts of Abu Ghraib. During Sheila’s reign, HBO has gone on to win 26 Academy Awards® for groundbreaking films such as Citizenfour, Music By Prudence, Born Into Brothels, and Educating Peter. With Sheila’s leadership, guidance, and “boring thermometer” HBO has not only produced one of the most impressive catalogues in documentary programming but has also served as a springboard in launching the careers of filmmakers across several genres.