‘The Sing Sing Chronicles’ Takes Top Prize at 2025 News & Documentary Emmy Awards

‘The Sing Sing Chronicles’ Takes Top Prize 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]