Dana Nachman is an award-winning filmmaker 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

currently 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 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 the opening night film at the Slamdance film

festival and was acquired and distributed by Warner Bros./New Line Cinema. It 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. As part of this prestigious

fellowship, she is currently developing her first feature-length narrative film, a romantic comedy

she plans to direct in 2026.

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.