Joe Gantz is a renowned documentary filmmaker in the United States, celebrated for his thought-provoking and emotionally charged storytelling. Alongside his brother, Harry Gantz, he is the Emmy Award-winning producer and director of the long-running HBO documentary series Taxicab Confessions, which has been broadcast for over fifteen years, offering a unique glimpse into the intimate interactions between cab drivers and their passengers.
Known for his ability to capture the most personal and poignant moments in real people's lives, Joe Gantz's approach to filmmaking is characterized by honesty, humor, and depth. His documentary film, "Couples Arguing" (1984),a co-production with Channel 4, featured couples in the midst of actual arguments, filmed in progress in their own homes. The film was broadcast and distributed worldwide, earning an honorable mention at the Edinburgh Television Festival.
Joe Gantz's feature documentary, American Winter (2013),shines a light on families struggling in the aftermath of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The film premiered on HBO in March 2013 and has since been screened across the country as part of a nationwide outreach and engagement campaign to spark social change and impact.
Prior to American Winter, Joe and his brother executive-produced the CBS drama series, The Defenders (2010),starring Jim Belushi, which was based on a documentary pilot they created about the lives of two Las Vegas defense attorneys and the cases they defend.
Joe Gantz has recently completed two feature documentaries, Ending Disease (2020) and The Race to Save the World (2021),set to be released in 2021. Ending Disease follows scientists and their patients as they participate in the first FDA-approved clinical trials using stem cell and regenerative treatments to cure devastating diseases. The Race to Save the World tells the inspiring stories of regular people who are dedicating their lives to fighting climate change.
Throughout his career, Joe Gantz has received numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award for Taxicab Confessions and four nominations. American Winter won the prestigious Sidney Award for excellence in journalism and the Bending Towards Justice award, and Joe was short-listed for the Ridenhour prize, which recognizes those who persevere in acts of truth-telling that protect the public interest or illuminate a more just vision of society.
