sagindie · CC BY 2.0

Directed Spellbound (2003), a documentary following eight kids through the National Spelling Bee that turned a niche competition into a study of ambition, family pressure, and American aspiration broad enough to earn an Academy Award nomination. Went on to direct and produce for The Office and Comedy Central's Review, and won the Sundance directing prize along with two Emmys across a career split between nonfiction and scripted comedy.