Sam Lipman-Stern

Sam Lipman-Stern is a New Jersey born documentary filmmaker, producer and cinematographer. With a passion for the visual arts that date back to his early days as a graffiti artist, Lipman-Stern is known for bringing an authentic eye and hip hop perspective to the film medium. After cutting his teeth as a director, crafting videos for underground hip hop artists and graffiti writers alike, Lipman-Stern began interning at VICE in 2011 working his way up from a production assistant to a director/producer during the time when VICE exploded and became a globally recognized brand. In 2012, he launched Live From The Streets, a celebrated documentary series starring hip hop producer, Mr. Green, which became one of the most popular series on VICE’s music channel, Noisey.

After VICE, Lipman-Stern was hired as a full time staff director/producer at Rolling Stone Magazine, and he continued to work for them until 2018. Known for getting authentic interviews by making friends with artists and celebrities, from Rick Ross and Slash to Charlie Puth and Keith Richards, Lipman-Stern was able to develop Rolling Stone's video brand which garnered them 100's of millions of views worldwide. Lipman-Stern also filmed viral conversations between Jerry Seinfeld and Wale for Complex and his current client roster includes: HBO, PBS, MTV, Esquire, The New York Times, Interscope Records, Apple, Adidas, The NBA and more. In 2019, Lipman-Stern spent a month on the OceanX ship filming sea life and documenting a scientific mission to save coral reefs. And by 2021, he executive produced and directed Forbes Magazine's "Forbes: Rap Mentors," an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the music industry that starred a who’s who of rap royalty, including Black Thought of The Roots, E-40, Kevin Liles and Saweetie.

In August 2023, HBO released Telemarketers, a 3-part limited documentary series created by Lipman-Stern and his cousin Adam Bhala Lough, Directed by Bhala Lough & Lipman-Stern, and Executive Produced by Danny McBride and Josh and Benny Safdie which Time Magazine called "One of the most exciting docs in years!" Currently, Lipman-Stern has been working as an Executive Producer and Director on several up-and-coming documentary features and series.