Dawn Porter

Directing

Dawn Porter

Dawn Porter is an American documentary filmmaker known for Trapped (2016), Gideon's Army (2013) and John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020) and founder of production company Trilogy Films.

Known For

Serious MoonlightSerious Moonlight · 2009
Serious Moonlight
5.02009
MovieComedyRomance
After her adulterous husband asks for a divorce, a high-powered attorney takes him captive, refusing to release him until he commits to working on their marriage together. When his impatient mistress shows up, not to mention an opportunistic gardener, things start to get seriously complicated.
When a Witness RecantsWhen a Witness Recants · 2026
When a Witness Recants
2026
MovieDocumentaryAnimation
In 1983, author Ta-Nehisi Coates learned that a 14-year-old boy was murdered in his Baltimore middle school. Upon revisiting the case, he uncovers the truth: Three innocent teenagers were wrongfully convicted and spent 36 years in prison — creating a lasting impact on the accused, the witnesses, and their community.
John Lewis: Good TroubleJohn Lewis: Good Trouble · 2020
John Lewis: Good Trouble
4.42020
MovieDocumentary
The timely biopic focuses on John Lewis’ longstanding prominence as a civil rights champion and his continuing crusade for racial and social equality. The documentary illuminates the 80-year-old Congressman’s life as it chronicles the moments on the extraordinary journey that have shaped his place in history and make him such a galvanizing figure today as protests circle the globe. Lewis’ schedule has increased ten-fold as he has become the go-to figure for TV news shows, podcasts and newspapers and magazines from the Washington Post to Vanity Fair, commenting on and leading the way forward through today’s worldwide protests and demonstrations.
The Way I See ItThe Way I See It · 2020
The Way I See It
7.82020
MovieDocumentary
Former Chief Official White House Photographer Pete Souza's journey as a person with top secret clearance and total access to the President.
Luther: Never Too MuchLuther: Never Too Much · 2024
Luther: Never Too Much
8.02024
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Luther Vandross started his career supporting David Bowie, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, and more. His undeniable talent earned platinum records and accolades, but he struggled to break out beyond the R&B charts. Intensely driven, he overcame personal and professional challenges to secure his place amongst the greatest vocalists in history.
The Lady Bird DiariesThe Lady Bird Diaries · 2023
The Lady Bird Diaries
6.32023
MovieDocumentaryHistory
From award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter comes "The Lady Bird Diaries," a groundbreaking all-archival documentary film about Lady Bird Johnson, one of the most influential and least understood First Ladies. The feature film looks at the 123 hours of personal and revealing audio diaries that Lady Bird recorded during her husband’s administration. The film reveals Lady Bird as an astute observer of character and culture and a savvy political strategist. It recasts her crucial role in LBJ’s presidency and brings viewers behind the scenes of one of the most tumultuous and consequential periods in modern American history.
Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt StoryBreaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story · 2026
Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story
9.02026
MovieDocumentary
Chronicles the life of the legendary Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach.
Cirque du Soleil: Without a NetCirque du Soleil: Without a Net · 2022
Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net
7.72022
MovieDocumentary
As Cirque du Soleil reboots its flagship production, O, more than a year after an abrupt shutdown, performers and crew members face uncertainty as they work to return to their world-class standards in time for the (re)opening night in Las Vegas. With unfettered access, filmmaker Dawn Porter captures the dramatic journey of the world's most famous circus act on its way back from the brink.

Filmography

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Spies of MississippiSpies of Mississippi · 2014
Spies of Mississippi
7.32014
MovieDocumentary
Spies of Mississippi tells the story of a secret spy agency formed by the state of Mississippi to preserve segregation and maintain white supremacy. The anti-civil rights organization was hidden in plain sight in an unassuming office in the Mississippi State Capitol. Funded with taxpayer dollars and granted extraordinary latitude to carry out its mission, the Commission evolved from a propaganda machine into a full blown spy operation. How do we know this is true? The Commission itself tells us in more than 146,000 pages of files preserved by the State. This wealth of first person primary historical material guides us through one of the most fascinating and yet little known stories of America's quest for Civil Rights.

Director

Vernon Jordan: Make it PlainVernon Jordan: Make it Plain · 2020
Vernon Jordan: Make it Plain
2020
MovieDocumentary
From filmmaker Dawn Porter (who earlier this year directed "John Lewis: Good Trouble"), the film explores the remarkable journey of Jordan from modest Southern origins to national renown as a pioneering attorney, businessman, civil rights leader, and as a fixture (could one also say a "fixer?") on the DC scene. Jordan's story is told principally through a chronological narration of his life and accomplishment, most of it taken from recent (2019) interviews with and narration by Jordan himself. His early life in Atlanta is limned, where Jordan describes the treasured influence of his mother Mary and his early academic successes (including a law degree from Howard University). His activities in the civil rights movement in the 1960's and 1970's are highlighted, culminating in his ten-year tenure as director of the Urban League.

Director