NICOLAS ROSSIER
FILMMAKER
Writer, Producer, Consultant
Rossier is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work explores political power, human rights, and the lives of controversial public figures. His films have profiled figures ranging from Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to scholar Norman Finkelstein, Nobel Peace Prize laureate F.W. de Klerk, and extreme free diver champion William Trubridge. His documentaries have been broadcast internationally on PBS, CNN International, and Al Jazeera, and screened at major venues and festivals, including the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Hot Docs, IDFA, and BAM. His film American Radical was selected for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' permanent collection. Rossier lives and works in Brooklyn. His most recent short documentary, "Angels Unawares," portrays the works of the Vatican's favorite sculptor, Timothy Schmalz. He is currently working on a 10-part series on the impact of AI on education across America.
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Angels Unawares
"From the moment 'Angels Unawares' began, we were captivated—a sophisticated and beautifully crafted short documentary that stands out for its intimate portrayal of faith through art. Richly deserving of its 3rd Place Best Short Documentary award at FilmHaus 2025, selected from 1,886 worldwide submissions."
Jasper Lorenz, FilmHaus Berlin
One Breath
“A stunning glimpse into the magical and unusual world of a diving phenom.”
- CNN
“Beautiful, mysterious and compelling…strong visual style.”
- Richard Koci Hernandez, Award-Winning Producer
Aristide and the Endless Revolution
"Endlessly important film. At last, a clear and authentic picture of Aristide's character and record.”
- Albert Maysles, Filmmaker
"Taut, well-balanced, insightful...A probing look into Haiti's contentious modern history.”
- Laura Kern, New York Times
“Powerful, cogent, an absorbing piece of investigative journalism.”
- Wesley Morris, The Boston Globe
The Other Man
“Astutely compelling historical biography - Highly Recommended!”
- Caron Knauer, Author & Professor
"Extraordinary...powerful...fascinates. His teaming with Mandela unleashed a wave of right-wing violence”
- Ernest Hardy, The Village Voice
"A solid historical primer...Rossier strikes a delicate but credible balance between the former leader's unambiguous statements that he didn't know anything about assassinations and critics' insistence that, even if he didn't specifically give orders, he was 'politically and morally responsible' "
- John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter
American Radical
"Nuanced and powerful portrait of the scholar Norman Finkelstein, one of the nation's most courageous and embattled intellectuals."
- Michael Moore
"Surprisingly entertaining...a compelling portrait of a difficult man."
- Mark Cohen, Jewish Daily Forward
"A revealing and nuanced documentary...deserves to be seen widely as a fascinating introduction to the man and his views.”
- Susan Ryan, Cineaste
about the director
What People say about Rossier’s work
