Don Haderlein is an award-winning Los Angeles filmmaker, producer, writer, and director whose work spans independent features, documentaries, and socially conscious films. After moving to Los Angeles in 1988 to study film, he earned two film degrees and founded North Hollywood Pictures in 1998. His films include Moonbeams, The World Awaits, The Machinery of Death, Peacemaking Strategies in Postmodern Times, Occupy Los Angeles: The Time Is Now!, and Give Me Shelter. His work explores social justice, spirituality, human resilience, and the personal stories behind complex contemporary issues. Haderlein continues to produce independent films that combine compelling storytelling with meaningful social and human themes.
How many years have you been a judge?
5-10 years
What are your responsibilities in your current role and what do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my work at North Hollywood Pictures is the opportunity to tell meaningful stories that might otherwise go unheard. I enjoy every part of the filmmaking process—from developing an idea and shaping the story to producing, directing, editing, and finally sharing it with an audience. Most of all, I love using film to explore real people, important issues, and universal experiences in a way that can move, inform, and inspire people.
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
I was inspired to pursue filmmaking by the power of movies to tell stories, create emotional connections, and give people a different way of seeing the world. Growing up in Chicago, I was fascinated by the way films could transport audiences into other lives, places, and experiences while exploring questions that matter. That passion eventually led me to move to Los Angeles in 1988 to study film and pursue filmmaking as a career. Over the years, that initial fascination evolved into a deeper commitment to telling stories about people, social issues, faith, resilience, and the human experience. For me, filmmaking is more than a profession—it is a way of communicating, connecting with people, and leaving something meaningful behind.
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first job in the film industry was working in sound editing for Hollywood movie trailers and television spots for major motion pictures. It was an invaluable introduction to the professional filmmaking world and taught me that great storytelling often depends on precision, timing, and knowing how to create an emotional impact in a very short amount of time. Working on trailers taught me the importance of every sound, edit, musical cue, and moment of silence in shaping an audience’s response. It also gave me firsthand experience with the high standards, deadlines, teamwork, and attention to detail required in the entertainment industry. Most importantly, it taught me that whether you have two hours or two minutes to tell a story, every frame and every sound matters.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
When I evaluate excellence in video, I look first at the story—whether it has something meaningful to say and creates a genuine connection with the audience. I look for strong storytelling, purposeful editing, compelling visuals, effective sound design, and a clear sense of pacing and rhythm. Having started my career in sound editing for Hollywood trailers and television spots, I pay particular attention to how sound, music, silence, and picture work together to create emotion and impact. I also look for originality, authenticity, technical craftsmanship, and whether every creative choice serves the story. Ultimately, an excellent video is one that not only looks and sounds professional, but makes the audience feel something and leaves a lasting impression.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
I’m currently inspired by the journey of my award-winning documentary Give Me Shelter, which has completed a successful international film festival run with 16 official selections and a Best Short Documentary award. Seeing the film connect with audiences around the world has been incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed my belief in the power of documentary filmmaking to bring important human stories to the screen. The film’s festival recognition has also led to distribution with multiple streaming services, including Binge TV, allowing the story to reach an even wider audience. At this stage of my career, I’m inspired not only by making films, but by finding new ways to bring meaningful stories to audiences around the world.
Tell us about a moment of recognition that had an effect on you – whether personal or official? What does recognition mean to you and why is it important in our industry?
A meaningful moment of recognition for me came with Give Me Shelter, my documentary about homelessness in Los Angeles. Having the film selected by 16 international film festivals and receiving a Best Short Documentary award was deeply meaningful—not simply because of the award itself, but because it affirmed that a deeply personal and socially important story could connect with audiences beyond Los Angeles. Recognition, to me, is ultimately about validation of the work, the people who trusted me with their stories, and the team that helped bring the film to life. In an industry where independent filmmakers often work without the resources or visibility of larger productions, recognition can open doors to audiences, festivals, distributors, and streaming platforms. Most importantly, it reminds me that telling meaningful stories matters and inspires me to keep creating films that can make people think, feel, and see the world differently.
Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?
My creative process is deeply personal and usually begins with something that moves me—a person, a conversation, an image, a piece of music, or an issue I can’t stop thinking about. I’ve always been curious about people and the stories behind what we see on the surface, and that curiosity has been at the heart of my filmmaking journey. I often find inspiration while walking, photographing, listening to music, or simply being quiet and allowing my thoughts to wander; some of my best ideas come when I’m not actively trying to create. My work in film, music, poetry, and photography all feed one another, giving me different ways to explore the same questions about life, faith, relationships, struggle, and the human experience. Ultimately, I trust my instincts and follow the story that keeps calling me, because the projects that mean the most to me are usually the ones I feel compelled to make rather than simply decide to make.
In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?
One of the biggest changes I’ve seen in the film and television industry is the transformation from a traditional theatrical and broadcast model to a world where audiences can discover films through streaming, digital platforms, and social media. Having worked in the industry for decades, I’ve watched technology fundamentally change how films are produced, marketed, distributed, and ultimately seen by audiences. For independent filmmakers, this has created new opportunities to reach viewers without relying entirely on traditional Hollywood distribution channels, but it has also made it more important than ever to understand digital marketing, audience development, and how to make your work discoverable.
My advice is to embrace the changes without losing sight of the fundamentals. Technology will continue to evolve, but compelling storytelling, authentic voices, strong production values, and an emotional connection with the audience remain essential. I also believe filmmakers need to be adaptable and willing to wear multiple hats—from producing and editing to marketing and distribution. My own experience with Give Me Shelter, from its international festival run to distribution on streaming platforms including Binge TV, has reinforced for me that the filmmaker’s job doesn’t end when the film is finished—the next challenge is finding the audience.
What excites you about judging for the Telly Awards?
What excites me most about judging the Telly Awards is the opportunity to see the incredible range of creativity and storytelling happening across the industry. Having been a filmmaker and producer for decades, I appreciate the craft that goes into every project—from the concept and writing to cinematography, editing, sound, and the overall emotional impact. I’ve been fortunate to serve as a Telly Awards judge since 2009, and every year I’m impressed by how filmmakers, producers, agencies, brands, and creators continue to push the boundaries of video and television. I especially enjoy discovering work that takes a fresh approach, tells an authentic story, or finds a creative way to connect with its audience. For me, judging is also an opportunity to give back to an industry that has shaped my own career and to recognize the creativity and dedication of the people behind the work.
