Judd Ehrlich

Judd Ehrlich is an American documentary film director and producer. He is known for directing We Could Be King, The Price of Freedom (2021), and Jane Elliott Against the World (2026), which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. His films have screened at festivals including Tribeca and Sundance and have aired on CNN, ESPN, and ABC.

Early life and education Ehrlich was born in New York City and graduated from Vassar College. Before directing his own features, he worked in social services in New York City. He created and curated film series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Museum, and the JCC Manhattan. He followed Run for Your Life with Magic Camp (2012), set at the Tannen's Magic Camp he had attended as a child.

In 2014, Ehrlich directed We Could Be King, which follows two rival Philadelphia high school football programs forced together after school closures and budget cuts. Made in partnership with Tribeca Digital Studios and the Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, the film aired on ESPN and ABC and won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Documentary. Reviewing the film for The New York Times, Daniel M. Gold compared its storytelling to Friday Night Lights.

Ehrlich went on to co-direct the short documentary Notes from Liberia with cinematographer Ryo Murakami and directed Keepers of the Game, which follows a girls' lacrosse team from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Keepers of the Game premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, was named a New York Times Critic's Pick, and later aired on ABC. Like We Could Be King, it was selected for the American Film Showcase. and was acquired by CNN Films.

In 2026, Ehrlich directed Jane Elliott Against the World, a documentary about educator Jane Elliott, which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. It went on to win Best Documentary at the Bentonville Film Festival, along with audience awards at the Boulder, Cleveland, and Sonoma international film festivals.

Accolades Ehrlich's films have received recognition including a Sports Emmy Award a Critics Choice Documentary Award nomination, and a Bronze Entertainment Lion at Cannes and Run for Your Life.

Filmography

As director Mayor of the West Side (2006) We Could Be King (2014) Notes from Liberia (2015; co-directed with Ryo Murakami) Father K (2018; short documentary) The Price of Freedom (2021) Sports Matter: Salmon River Lacrosse (2015) Tough Mudder: The Challenge Within (2017) Tough Mudder: Tougher Together (2018) 26th Street Garage: The FBI's Untold Story of 9/11 (2021)

As producer and executive producer Don't Be Nice (2018, executive producer) Ainu Mosir (2020, executive producer) Oh, Canada (2024, co-executive producer) Remaining Native (2025, producer)