Alumni Spotlight: Vince DiPersio

Vince DiPersio is an award-winning documentary film writer, director, and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards, for his films Blues Highway, Death on the Job, and Crack USA: County Under Siege and was nominated for an Emmy award for 5 American Kids – 5 American Handguns. His film, The Kennedy Detail, about the Secret Service Agents who were with JFK the day he was assassinated is streaming now on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Discovery Plus.

Vince tells the stories behind some of his documentaries including Memphis PD: War on the Streets where he rode with a police officer for months; and recently Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project about the inequities of the prison system. Vince sees himself as a funnel or channel for the subjects of his documentaries. He tries to tell stories that are more complicated than what the news would allow and not preach to the converted. We talk about how empathy can get lost when people are siloed and go to their separate corners.

Vince is excited for the future of documentary, from the voices that we’ve been kept from hearing who are finally getting access to make their films post #oscarssowhite.

Select Filmography:

The Kennedy Detail, available on Discovery+: https://www.amazon.com/The-Kennedy-Detail-Season-1/dp/B092DP67FF

Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project: https://www.oxygen.com/kim-kardashian-west-the-justice-project 

Recommendations

Georgetown University Prison Scholars Program: https://prisonsandjustice.georgetown.edu/programs/scholarsprogram/

Harlan County USA: https://www.criterion.com/films/777-harlan-county-usa