In Memory of Woody Wickham

Woodrow A. Wickham, 1942-2009
It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Woody Wickham, a man who played a deep and crucial role in POV’s success for many years.

As a vice president at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Woody was an advocate for public media and independent documentary film. In that role, he provided early and consistent support for POV and other iconic series and films such as PBS’s Frontline and the landmark documentary film Hoop Dreams.
Woody believed that independent filmmakers were in a special position and had a particular responsibility to shine a light on the issues of the day and to engage audiences with the power of storytelling. He helped us see beyond the broadcast, and that it was essential to actively engage communities to give films a long life and an exponentially greater impact. The great flourishing of documentary film over the past 20 years is due in no small part to the impact of Woody’s work.

POV and independent documentary filmmakers have had no greater friend and champion. He’ll be sorely missed.