“Joshua Deel is an EMMY Award winning filmmaker. As a devoted student of storytelling, immersive travel, and filmmaking he dives deep into the heart of every destination. Josh captures the raw, unfiltered essence of the places he visits and the people he meets—pushing boundaries and breaking conventions with every frame.
Born in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and raised in the heart of Appalachia, Joshua Deel is an Emmy-winning filmmaker and writer whose work is deeply inspired by the ethos of Anthony Bourdain. As a devoted student of Bourdain’s approach to storytelling and immersive travel, Josh believes in connecting with people, honoring their stories, and exploring the world with an unflinching curiosity. This philosophy fuels his passion for international travel, filmmaking, and documentaries, where he marries cinematic craft with cultural journalism to illuminate the raw, authentic narratives of place and people.
Josh’s journey has been anything but ordinary. He grew up captivated by the stories of the American frontier—and by the dream of living a life of adventure like his boyhood hero, Indiana Jones. A talented athlete, he turned down a shot at professional baseball to pursue academics, entrepreneurship, and his growing love of cinema.
In 2020, Josh channeled his passions into filmmaking and founded Mountain Roots Productions. His breakout series, Exploring Appalachia, applies Bourdain’s immersive approach to storytelling, capturing the spirit of the region with cinematic artistry. The series quickly gained tens of millions of views and a global audience, redefining Appalachia’s story. By 2023, Josh had taken on a new role as Senior Producer, Writer, and Director for PBS Appalachia, using his platform to further elevate underrepresented voices and stories, as well as serve as host of a new national travel show on PBS, ‘Hometowns’.
Through it all, Josh remains a student of cinema, honing his craft and drawing inspiration from the world around him. He lives in Virginia with his wife, Lena, and their three children, continuing to explore, connect, and tell stories that matter—always with his eyes on the horizon.
Awards & Recognitions
2024:
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | Hometowns- Tazewell, VA | Television - Host
Joshua Deel - Outstanding Talent: Program Host
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | The Cigar Box Guitar Maker | Appalachian Heritage - Short Form
Joshua Deel - Producer
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | The Cigar Box Guitar Maker | Appalachian Heritage - Short Form
Joshua Deel - Cinematographer
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | The Custom Clothier | Lifestyle - Short Form
Joshua Deel - Producer
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | The Custom Clothier | Lifestyle - Short Form
Joshua Deel - Cinematographer
EMMY Nominated | National Capital Chapter | West Virginia Mine Wars: Battle of Blair Mountain | Documentary
Joshua Deel, Mountain Roots Productions- Director/Producer
The Telly Awards | Television | Marion, VA
Joshua Deel- Editor
2023:
Public Media Awards (PMA Award) | National | The Trout Farmer | Short Form
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | The Trout Farmer | Photographer- Short Form Content
Joshua Deel - Cinematographer
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | The Trout Farmer | Editor Short Form Content
Joshua Deel - Editor
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | Hometowns - Bluefield | Historical/Cultural - Long Form
Joshua Deel - Cinematographer
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | Hometowns - Bluefield | Historical/Cultural - Long Form
Joshua Deel - Editor
EMMY Award | National Capital Chapter | Hometowns - Bluefield | Historical/Cultural - Long Form
Joshua Deel - Writer
EMMY Nominated | National Capital Chapter | Pocahontas Virginia: Where the Appalachia Coal Boom Began | Documentary - Short Form
Joshua Deel, Mountain Roots Productions- Director/Producer
The Telly Awards | Television: Cultural | The Trout Farmer
Joshua Deel
The Telly Awards | Cinematography | The Trout Farmer
Joshua Deel
The Telly Awards | Cultural - Travel | Hometowns, Bluefield
Joshua Deel
VAB Award | The Trout Farmer | Best Human Interest Series