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Morgan Neville’s 20 Feet from Stardom

The untold stories of the unsung heroes who helped create some of the greatest music of our time finally take center stage in Director Morgan Neville’s compelling new documentary feature 20 Feet from Stardom.

In the film, Neville uses rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack to reveal the world of the backup singers whose voices brought harmony to the sounds of some 21st century superstars such as Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting. 20 Feet from Stardom won the Academy Award for “Best Documentary Feature” and was named one of the “Top Five Documentaries” of 2013 by the National Board of Review.

Following the DGA Special Projects Committee’s Documentary Series screening in Los Angeles on April 30, Neville discussed the making of the film in a conversation moderated by Director Penelope Spheeris (The Decline of Western Civilization).

Neville’s other works include the documentary features Sidney Poitier: The Defiant One, The Hustons: Hollywood's Maverick Dynasty, Ray Charles: The Last Blues Man, Johnny Cash’s America, and Troubadours; and episodes of the television series Biography, Independent Lens, Great Performances, and American Masters. He has been a DGA member since 2003.

Pictures & Video

DGA event photos by Howard Wise. Still photos from Morgan Neville’s 20 Feet from Stardom.

Watch Highlight
FULL TALK (34:15): Director Morgan Neville discusses his Oscar-winning documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom with Penelope Spheeris.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Neville reveals which scene was the hardest to get right in the edit room, and how an Otis Redding song finally made it work.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: Neville reflects on the unexpected success of the Twenty Feet From Stardom, emphasizing the real affect on the careers of the featured singers.
Watch Highlight
HIGHLIGHT: After conducting approximately 80 interviews for Twenty Feet From Stardom, Director Morgan Neville realized he had to pare down his story to a smaller group of backup singers who best represented the group as a whole.
Backup singers Jo Lawry, Judith Hill, and Lisa Fischer in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s Twenty Feet from Stardom
Director Morgan Neville speaks about the making of his new film 20 Feet from Stardom following the DGA screening in Los Angeles.
Singer Darlene Love in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s Twenty Feet from Stardom
Director Morgan Neville and Penelope Spheeris (moderator) discuss the making of his new film 20 Feet from Stardom following the DGA screening in Los Angeles.
Backup singer Lisa Fischer in an image from Director Morgan Neville’s Twenty Feet from Stardom
Director Penelope Spheeris (moderator) asks Director Morgan Neville a question about the making of 20 Feet from Stardom .
DGA Theater audience members chat with Director Morgan Neville following the Q&A.

Calendar

5/30/2025 - 6/5/2025