'Sing Sing Chronicles' Claims Top Honor at 2025 News & Documentary Emmy Awards

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]

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