Cliff Hackell

Story Editor

As an award-winning producer, director, and editor, Cliff Hackel has extensive expertise in virtually every aspect of film and television production.  Cliff brings over 25 years of documentary film production experience to When Wire Was King. Cliff has led international teams in the development of shows that have appeared on CNN, PBS, ABC, CBS, National Geographic Television, Discovery Channel and at multiple national film festivals. He is responsible for all components of the production arc, from concept to airing. Cliff co-directed and co-produced the groundbreaking 2017 documentary My Dear Children with When Wire Was King colleague LeeAnn Dance. Cliff’s accomplishments also include editing six shows that went on to win the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences acclaimed National News and Documentary Emmy Awards, in recognition of excellence in American national news and documentary programming. In 2007, Cliff received both a George Foster Peabody Award and an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award for his work as producer/director/editor on CNN’s “God’s Warriors,” hosted by Christiane Amanpour.