JONATHAN PICKETT is a gray-haired, former child actor-turned-filmmaker.

He’s an Emmy-nominated producer and director whose documentary work captures intimate real-time stories with curiosity and playfulness. He loves the idea of filmmaking as a means of connection, where discovery is oftentimes more profound than invention.

His film “A New Inferno” (co-dir. Nita Blum-Reddick) world premiered at SXSW 2026, screened at Tribeca, and will release this summer with The New York Times Op-Docs.

Jonathan's forthcoming first directorial feature is supported by Sundance Institute x Sandbox Films and won the 2024 BendFilm Basecamp pitch. His docufiction movie about a cowboy singer won a dozen awards including Best Shot on 16mm at HollyShorts before releasing as a Vimeo Staff Pick. His movie about chickens won a jury prize at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, then was acquired by The New Yorker and featured on Short of the Week.

Jonathan is a Woodstock Filmmaker Resident, Stept Film Fund winner, BendFilm: Basecamp Fellow, Mountainfilm Commitment Grant recipient, NewFilmmakers LA grantee, and Windrider Institute Fellow.

A proud San Diegan, he loves analog photography, his cat Vivian, & way-too-drawn-out neighborhood walks.