Biography
Brian Schodorf is a Chicago-based documentary filmmaker, producer, and founder of Schodorf Media, an award-winning production company specializing in cinematic documentaries, tourism storytelling, branded content, and political media.
A Columbia College Chicago graduate with an undergraduate degree in Television Production and a Master’s in Media Management, Schodorf has built a career at the intersection of journalism and cinematic storytelling. His work has earned 7 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards, 22 Emmy nominations, and 13 National Telly Awards. Schodorf first gained national recognition with The Wayman Tisdale Story, a feature documentary chronicling the life of the NBA All-Star and jazz musician. He followed that with Chicago at the Crossroad, a five-time Emmy-winning documentary exploring housing discrimination and segregation in Chicago - a project that cemented his reputation for tackling complex social issues with clarity and balance.
In recent years, Schodorf embarked on an ambitious multi-part documentary series, Why Trump? - a cross-country exploration of political division in America. Beginning with Death of the American Town and continuing with Two Americas, the series travels from Southeast Kansas to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Memphis, and beyond, examining economic erosion, racial history, and cultural identity. Rather than offering partisan conclusions, Schodorf’s work seeks to understand how America arrived at this moment - through voices often unheard and communities often overlooked.
Beyond documentary filmmaking, Schodorf leads Schodorf Media, producing national tourism campaigns, corporate brand films, association content, and political media across the Midwest and beyond. His background includes work with travel and destination organizations, major live events, and high-profile productions requiring both creative vision and logistical precision.
Raised in Wichita, Kansas, Schodorf credits legendary broadcaster Bill Kurtis - his uncle - as a key storytelling influence. That Midwestern lens remains central to his work: grounded, curious, and committed to understanding the American story in all its complexity.
Whether producing long-form documentaries or fast-turn branded content, Brian Schodorf approaches each project with the same goal: to tell stories that matter, with cinematic impact and journalistic integrity.
