Thom Powers is a renowned figure in the world of documentary filmmaking, currently serving as the documentary programmer for the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, and as the artistic director of DOC NYC, the largest documentary festival in the United States.
In addition to his festival work, Powers is also a prolific podcaster, hosting two popular shows: Pure Nonfiction, which is part of the TIFF podcast network, and Documentary of the Week, which airs on New York's public radio station WNYC.
As a programmer, Powers is responsible for curating content for a variety of platforms, including the digital streaming service Sundance Now, the Miami Film Festival, and the Stranger Than Fiction series at New York's IFC Center.
Powers is also a co-founder of several notable organizations, including the Cinema Eye Honors, the Garrett Scott Documentary Grant, and the Montclair Film Festival.
In addition to his work in documentary filmmaking, Powers is also a dedicated educator, teaching documentary producing at the School of Visual Arts, and previously taught for 12 years at New York University's SCPS.
Prior to his work as a festival programmer, Powers spent a decade directing documentaries for HBO and PBS, and had a previous career in publishing at Fantagraphics Books.
Born and raised in the Detroit suburbs, Powers now resides with his wife Raphaela Neihausen and their son Bez in Montclair, New Jersey.
