Daniel H. Birman recently completed Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story, a feature documentary that will be shown on the PBS series, Independent Lens, and will be shown nationwide as part of their Community Cinema program. Birman spent six years producing this story about a 16-year-old girl who committed murder and whose personal downward spiral from birth lends insight into complex social issues. Birman produced the highly acclaimed documentary, Brace for Impact: The Chesley B. Sullenberger Story that aired on TLC and Discovery Channel.  This is a documentary what was saved in 2009 when a pilot landed U.S. Airways Flight 1549 – safely – on the Hudson River.  Earlier, he produced a one-hour special for National Geographic Channel: Death of the Universe.  The program explores new theories about the fate of the universe. 

Earlier Birman produced, Europa: Mystery of the Ice Moon, a one-hour special for The Science Channel; and Medical Maverick – two one-hour shows for Discovery Health Channel.  Prior Birman produced The Team, a four-part and first-ever nonfiction series for Nickelodeon, and Chopper Rescue a one-hour trauma pilot for Discovery Health. Before that, he produced Alternatives: Uncovered – a 10X series of one-hour programs also for Discovery Health.

Birman worked with some of the nation’s leading research physicians during a six-year association with Lifetime Medical Television. He produced for Physicians' Journal Update and Specialty Update, two highly acclaimed series.  He then produced several one-hour internal medicine specials for Lifetime.

He was Production Coordinator and Second Unit camera on documentary and network productions, It's A New Day... and Just the Way You Are.  He also worked on the NBC special, The Day My Kid Went Punk and the ABC Afterschool Special, The Donna Cheek Story.

Mr. Birman directed and shot a documentary short about famed radio personality Norman Corwin, and shot The Children of Skid Row.  Both were done while earning a Master’s in Journalism at the University of Southern California.  Mr. Birman began his career with a PBS Network affiliate in Southern California.  He worked for six years on a weekly series focusing on California politics.

Birman represents nonfiction television on the Board of Governors for The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, where he also served two terms as Secretary.  He directed a national search for the Academy’s Executive Director, and he currently Chairs the By-Laws Committee.  He has been an active member on the National Emmy Awards Committee and the Educational Programs and Services Committee, established for students entering the television industry. 

Speaking Engagements: Birman produced a panel with network heads to address, “What is Nonfiction?” at the Television Academy.  He presented his Europa documentary to an international space research organization, and for NASA scientists at The Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  He presented at a national writer’s conference.  Birman led a panel on journalistic malpractice in reporting healthcare; he has led panels for RealScreen Summit in Washington, D.C., Television Academy nonfiction panels for educators and students entering television, and was a juror at the Shanghai Television Festival as one of five judges of international documentaries at China’s premiere television awards competition.