Brian Schodorf is an Emmy-winning filmmaker whose work illuminates the connective thread linking America’s politics, its people, and the human spirit. With 22 Emmy nominations, 7 Emmy Awards, and 13 National Telly Awards,, his documentaries combine investigative depth with cinematic storytelling.

His landmark 4-part documentary series, Why Trump?, examines the cultural, political, and historical forces shaping America today. The series—spanning from the decline of rural towns to the legacy of race in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Black Wall Street and beyond.

Schodorf’s filmography include: Poverty in Chicago (2007) and Greensburg (2008, PBS) examined communities in crisis, while The Wayman Tisdale Story (2012) earned an Emmy for its poignant portrayal of the NBA star’s life, featuring voices like Michael Jordan and Toby Keith. His 2020 feature, Chicago at the Crossroad, a sweeping study of segregation and urban policy, won five Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards.

Named Media Industry Kansan of the Year in 2012 after his Emmy win for Wayman Tisdale’s life story, Schodorf has also helmed high-profile video work in tourism and national political campaigns. Today, he runs Schodorf Media in Chicago, producing films, branded content, and social impact storytelling for clients across the country.

• ACCOLADES

• 2022

  EMMY AWARD Single Spot Promotion (Chicago/Midwest)

  EMMY NOMINATION Directing (Chicago/Midwest)

• 2021

• TELLY AWARD (GOLD) Television Directing
  TELLY AWARD (GOLD) Television Writing
  TELLY AWARD (GOLD) Government Relations
  TELLY AWARD (GOLD) Movie Trailers
  TELLY AWARD (SILVER) Editing
  TELLY AWARD (SILVER) Cinematography
  TELLY AWARD (SILVER) Archival Footage
  TELLY AWARD (SILVER) Videography

• 2020

• EMMY AWARD Single Spot Promotion (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY AWARD Documentary/Cultural (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY AWARD Writing (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY AWARD Photography (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Audio (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY AWARD Directing (Chicago/Midwest)
  2020 EMMY NOMINATION Editing (Chicago/Midwest)

• 2016

  EMMY NOMINATION Commercial Campaign(Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Commercial Campaign (Chicago/Midwest)

• 2015

  EMMY NOMINATION Editing (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Directing (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Arts Programming (Chicago/Midwest)

• 2014

  EMMY NOMINATION Writing (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Magazine Show (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Photography (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Graphics (Chicago/Midwest)
  EMMY NOMINATION Editing (Chicago/Midwest)

• 2012

  Distinguished Kansan of the Year – Brian Schodorf – Topeka Capital Journal
  EMMY AWARD Cultural Documentary (Heartland Chapter)
  TELLY AWARD (SILVER) Documentary
  TELLY AWARD (BRONZE) Sports
  TELLY AWARD (BRONZE) Music

• 2009

  EMMY NOMINATION Topical Documentary (Heartland Chapter)