Matt Zien

Matt Zien is an American television and documentary film producer known for his work in nonfiction programming and documentary productions. He has worked on documentary series, unscripted television projects, and independent films, including The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For, This Is Paris, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and Slauson Rec, which premiered in the Cannes Classics section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Early life and education Zien studied at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he developed a background in storytelling and documentary filmmaking.

Career Zien began his career in television production working on nonfiction and reality programming. During the 2010s, he worked with production companies All3Media America and Studio Lambert involved in documentary and unscripted television formats.

In 2016, Zien joined The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) where he served in production and development roles related to documentary and factual programming. He later became Vice-President of Development and Creative Director, and head of brand development for Industrial Media, overseeing more than 20 series and specials across HBO, Amazon, Netflix, Showtime, and A&E.

While at IPC, Zien was associated with documentary and nonfiction productions including Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (A&E). The series received industry recognition and won several Primetime Emmy Awards.

He was promoted to senior vice-president prior to the sale of Industrial Media to Sony Pictures Television in 2022.

Zien also worked on The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For, a documentary series exploring the history and internal disputes surrounding the Von Dutch fashion brand.

In 2025, Zien was credited as a producer on Slauson Rec Neil. The film premiered in the Cannes Classics section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. In an interview with Deadline, Zien described the independently funded project as “the dream,” recalling that on the first day of post-production O’Neil wrote “We Cannes do it” on the office whiteboard.

Other projects Zien has also been involved in media and technology related creative projects, including experimental and AI assisted productions through KNGMKR Labs, a company he co-founded with Mac Boucher.

In 2024, Zien produced Lincoln at Gettysburg, a six minute AI generated short film that received awards at the AI International Film Festival, including Best Picture, Best AI Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound.

In 2025, Zien’s AI generated mockumentary The First Humans received the Mockumentary Award at the MetaMorph AI Film Awards. In an interview associated with the festival, Zien discussed the use of AI tools in depicting prehistoric settings and narratives.

Recognition In 2025, Forbes described Zien as a television and film producer working in AI related filmmaking and immersive media. The same year, gaming publication GamePressure covered his short video Last Call Before A.G.I., discussing audience reactions to the project on online platforms.

Selected filmography Television Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath – development executive The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For – producer This Giant Beast That Is the Global Economy – consulting producer Free Meek – development executive This Is Paris – consulting producer Indian Matchmaking – development executive Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer – development executive' Empires of New York - consulting producer

Film Slauson Rec (2025) – produced by