Nathan Truesdell is an Academy Award nominated independent filmmaker. He is best known for his work on the documentary films Balloonfest,Balloonfest (2017)|MUBI Ascension, and The Water Slide.The Water Slide (2018)|MUBI
Life and career Truesdell comes from Clark, Missouri where he spent the first 18 years of his life. He then realized the practicality of college and, nevertheless, attended the University of Missouri. He obtained his degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics.
His second documentary short film Balloonfest, premiered at American Film Institute and San Francisco International Film Festival. His documentary short film The Water Slide, premiered at American Film Institute and San Francisco International Film Festival.
In 2021, Truesdell produced and photographed Ascension, which went on to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.
Personal life Truesdell is married to filmmaker Jessica Kingdon.
Filmography As Director 2026 - A Derailment 2025 - Mystery Seeds 2022 - When the LAPD Blows Up Your Neighborhood 2020 - It's Coming! 2019 - Lightning vs. Thunder 2019 - The Art of Making Money 2018 - The Water Slide 2017 - Balloonfest 2014 - Time to Talk About Jobs 2011 - Cinema Eye Honors As Cinematographer
2026 - Art & Science Collide 2025 - Flood 2021 - Ascension 2020 - It's Coming! 2019 - Landing on Airwaves 2019 - The Art of Making Money 2017 - Chasing AllieCat 2017 - The Experimental City 2016 - Primaries 2016 - Speaking Is Difficult 2015 - Deprogrammed 2015 - Killing Them Safely 2014 - PFlat Black 2014 - Midterms 2013 - Caucus 2013 - We Always Lie to Strangers 2013 - Threshold 2013 - Dear Valued Guests 2012 - X-Ray Man 2012 - The Body of Richard Baker 2011 - Light the Water 2011 - Red Cloud 2011 - Lost & Found 2011 - Cinema Eye Honors 2010 - Big Birding Day 2009 - Real Super Heroes: Real Vigilantes 2009 - Convention 2007 - Steppin' Frat 2006 - Wrastlin 2006 - Midwest Muslim 2006 - Bio-Town
As Editor
2026 - A Derailment 2025 - Mystery Seeds 2022 - When the LAPD Blows Up Your Neighborhood 2020 - It's Coming! 2019 - Lightning vs. Thunder 2019 - The Art of Making Money 2018 - The Water Slide 2017 - Balloonfest 2015 - Killing Them Safely 2014 - Time to Talk About Jobs 2012 - X-Ray Man 2011 - Cinema Eye Honors 2010 - Big Birding Day 2009 - Convention 2007 - Steppin' Frat 2006 - Wrastlin 2006 - Midwest Muslim 2006 - Bio-Town
As Producer
2025 - Mystery Seeds 2023 - Balloon Boy 2022 - When the LAPD Blows Up Your Neighborhood 2021 - Ascension 2020 - It's Coming! 2019 - Lightning vs. Thunder 2019 - 8:08 - How We Respond 2019 - The Art of Making Money 2018 - How We Respond 2018 - The Gospel of Eureka 2017 - Balloonfest 2016 - Primaries 2016 - Peace in the Valley 2013 - Caucus 2013 - We Always Lie to Strangers 2013 - Dear Valued Guests 2012 - The Body of Richard Baker 2011 - Cinema Eye Honors 2009 - Convention 2005 - Song of the Dead 2024 - Balloon BoyCoverage of the ‘balloon boy’ hoax forms a withering indictment of for-profit news|AeonWhat the ‘balloon boy’ hoax revealed about the media | Balloon Boy - Aeon Video on official YouTube channel
Awards and nominations YearResultAwardCategoryWorkRef.2026 WonBig Sky Documentary Film FestivalBest Short DocumentaryA Derailment WonIndependent Film Festival BostonBest Documentary Short2025 WonTallgrass Film FestivalOutstanding EditingMystery Seeds2023 NominatedSlamdance Film FestivalBest Documentary ShortWhen the LAPD Blows Up Your Neighborhood NominatedFlorida Film FestivalBest Documentary Short WonSan Diego Underground Film FestivalJury Award2022 WonHamptons International Film FestivalGolden Starfish Award NominatedAcademy AwardsBest Documentary Feature FilmAscension WonCinema Eye HonorsOutstanding Achievement in Cinematography NominatedOutstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking NominatedIndependent Spirit AwardsBest Documentary NominatedInternational Documentary AssociationBest Cinematography NominatedProducers Guild of America AwardsOutstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures2021 NominatedCritics' Choice Documentary AwardsBest Cinematography NominatedGotham AwardsBest Documentary2019 WonTallgrass Film FestivalOutstanding Documentary Short8:08 - How We Respond2018 NominatedChicago International Film FestivalBest Documentary ShortThe Water Slide2017 NominatedSan Francisco International Film FestivalBest Documentary ShortBalloonfest
References
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