The fourth annual Truth Seekers Summit, presented by Paramount+ is only days away, live on August 15th from New York City. In celebration of the event, Rolling Stone and Variety are releasing their third annual Truth Seekers special issue for those who value journalism and documentary filmmaking.
The special issue will showcase interviews with some of the most distinguished professionals in the field. CNN foreign correspondent Clarissa Ward, known for her fearless reporting from conflict zones such as Ukraine and Gaza, shares her insights and experiences. Additionally, filmmaker Jamila Wignot will be featured as she discusses her compelling four-part documentary, Stax: Soulsville U.S.A., which explores the complex interplay of race and capitalism through the lens of the legendary Memphis-based record label.
In the midst of a crucial election year, the magazine features a curated list of the best political documentaries of all time, providing readers with thought-provoking viewing recommendations. Long-form features delve deep into critical issues, including an investigation into the human cost of the CIA’s covert actions in the War on Terror, a diary of a lifelong New York City weed dealer navigating the post-legalization cannabis market, an exposé on the right-wing media organization Project Veritas, and the shocking, untold story of a beloved Hollywood star’s entanglement with Satanists during the hedonistic 1970s.
The joint issue will be distributed at the Truth Seekers Summit, with select stories also available on RollingStone.com. This collaboration, presented by Paramount+, highlights the enduring importance of truth and integrity in media, celebrating those who strive to uncover and tell the most impactful stories of our time.
The collaborative event is already packed to the gills with celebrities, influencers and living legends that will make the fourth annual Truth Seekers Summit a time that can’t be missed.
Headlining the Summit will be acclaimed journalist and author, E. Jean Carroll receiving the Truth Seeker Award. Rolling Stone’s CEO, Gus Wenner, will sit down with Oscar and Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief) to discuss the documentarian’s achievements in documentary filmmaking. Variety’s Co-Editor-in-Chief, Ramin Setoodeh, will have an in-depth conversation with Nancy Grace, host of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and founder of CrimeOnline, exploring her extensive career in true crime reporting. Susan Zirinsky, President of See It Now Studios at CBS News, will join a featured fireside chat. Additionally, John Walsh, host and executive producer of America’s Most Wanted, along with his son and AMW co-host Callahan Walsh, will discuss “Trailblazers in Investigative Reporting.”
The Documentary Panel will feature a heralded list of filmmakers, including Gotham Chopra (director and executive producer of Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story and In The Arena: Serena Williams), Alex Stapleton (director, God Save Texas), Rahman Ali Bugg (director, Exposing Parchman and Welcome to Rap City), Nanette Burstein (director and executive producer, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes), and Andrew McCarthy (director and producer, Brats).
Political comedy will take center stage as radio host Charlamagne tha God leads the “Best Mashup—Politics, Humor, Pop Culture” panel, which will also have Tony, Emmy, and WGA Award-nominated writer and comedienne Amber Ruffin and The Daily Show correspondent Lewis Black speaking.
The “True Crime Masters Tell All” panel will feature a deep dive into true crime projects with filmmakers Muta’Ali Muhammad (MoviePass MovieCrash, Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn), Christian Hansen (executive producer, American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders), Amara Cofer (host and co-creator, Black Girl Gone), Brian Knappenberger (director, Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and Turning Point), Geeta Gandbhir (Born In Synanon, Through Our Eyes: Apart), and Andrew Jarecki (executive producer/creator, The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst).
Virtual access for the Truth Seekers Summit can be seen here for those who won’t be able to attend the New York City event in person.
Hoyt Richards as a young man.
