The Big Cheese | Feature Documentary
Credit: Director, Producer
www.bigcheesefilm.com
Synopsis: A cheesemonger is like a sommelier for cheese. In America, it’s often an unappreciated job, but Adam “Mr. Moo” Moskowitz hopes to change that. He coaches a U.S. team to compete at the Mondial du Fromage – the “Olympics of Cheese” – where they’ve never won. "The Big Cheese" follows these underdogs through cultural clashes, personal struggles, and melting cheese as they train for the ultimate competition.
Awards:
Cleveland International Film Festival (2026) - Grand Jury Award - Best Documentary Feature
Seattle International Film Festival (2026) - Lena Sharpe Award for Persistence Of Vision, presented By Women In Film Seattle (For the female director's film that receives the highest votes in public balloting)
DOC NYC (2025) - Audience Award Runner Up
Beloit International Film Festival (2026) - Best Documentary Feature
Phoenix International Film Festival (2026) - Best Director
Seattle International Film Festival (2026) - Audience Award Second Runner-up
Press & Reviews:
The New York Times — "This is ultimately a tale of resilience, and Wolansky focuses on a kind of nourishment that transcends food: the power of community...“The Big Cheese” reveals itself to be a satisfyingly tender story, framing Moskowitz as both a survivor and a spiritual leader."
The Today Show — Cheesemonger Adam Moskowitz joins TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and guest co-host Willie Geist to talk about “The Big Cheese"
Deadline — "Obscured Releasing Acquires North American Rights To ‘The Big Cheese,’ Award-Winning Doc On U.S. Effort To Win “Cheese Olympics”
Variety — “Like a sommelier whose expertise is wine, cheesemongers are experts in cheese...Wolansky spent close to three years following America's greatest cheesemongers as they attempted the impossible: beating the French at their own game and winning the Mondial du Fromage, the Olympics of cheese."
NPR — Director Sara Joe Wolansky discusses the film with "All of It" host Alison Stewart
The New York Times — Pete Wells writes about the film "The Big Cheese" in a feature about cheesemongers.
The Arts Fuse — “One institution that Frederick Wiseman never got around to covering was that of cheesemongers...Luckily, Harvard alum Sara Joe Wolansky has filled that gap with the delightful, daffy, and inspiring 'The Big Cheese'...the outcome is unexpected and downright suspenseful..."
Beyond the Cinerama Dome — “That’s what makes The Big Cheese such a heartwarming documentary. It’s a chronicle of these people’s pursuit of something larger than themselves, done not for a life-changing amount of money (the grand prize is $2,900), but because of what it means to love something so profoundly.”
Blaze Radio — “We've got a really fun documentary called “The Big Cheese.” It's about cheesemongers who are like sommeliers of cheese, and there's a competition, and it's the American team going to France to compete, and they're like the underdogs. ”
Boston Movie News — “For something lighter, Tamm and Campbell recommend “The Big Cheese,” a documentary about competitive cheesemongers. “I love a movie that shows you this world that you didn’t know existed,” Campbell said. “The craziness and delightfulness of humans.””
Boston.com — “It’s a big, competitive story told with great drama,” Campbell said. It’s a lot of fun, and people love cheese. I love cheese.”
Cambridge Day — The Big Cheese" spotlighted as one of the highlights of IFFBoston
CBS 58 Milwaukee — “Our centerpiece film this year is a documentary called, 'The Big Cheese.' This is a film that when it was playing at Doc NYC I said oh, I need a screener of that because hello Wisconsin," said Cara Ogburn, Milwaukee Film artistic director. ”
Cheese Professor — “'The Big Cheese' turns its focus to the world of cheesemongering — a path considered a serious career in Europe that does not command the same respect in the United States. ”
Cinema Crazed — “Wolansky crafts an incredibly engaging documentary, easily immersing the viewer in a world they might not know much about... This endearing doc made me want to buy all the cheeses at this week’s Trader Joe’s stock up... Whether or not I bathe my home in cheese doesn’t matter, but what does is that The Big Cheese is a great documentary, and I recommend it. ”
Cinemalogue — “Blending the flavor of a foodie documentary with the intensity of a competition doc, this crowd-pleaser is cheesy in a good way, regardless of your lactose tolerance...a tasty balance of absurdity and sincerity.”
CITY Magazine — “there are actual stakes, notoriety and money to make professional dreams come true.... a welcome accompaniment to your evening...it’ll leave you wanting more. ”
Cleveland.com — The big winners include “The Big Cheese,” which took home the Grand Jury Award for best documentary. Sara Joe Wolansky’s film follows a team of underdog American cheesemongers seeking unlikely glory at the “Olympics of Cheese” in France.
Culture Cheese — “I went in expecting a fun afternoon of industry camaraderie. I walked out with a deeper appreciation for just how far the craft has come, how intense the competitions really are, and why this film might change how everyday cheese lovers see the people behind the counter. The Big Cheese…. may do more than spotlight elite mongers—it could shift how everyday consumers engage with cheese.”
Eye on Annapolis — “The film blends humor and personal stories with a look at craftsmanship and international competition.”
Film Threat — “...more thrilling and intense than you would expect a movie about cheese to be, and like any good documentary, that’s thanks to the director Wolansky and the subjects...”
Forward — “It’s a compelling look at a slice of an industry whose experts get shorter shrift than their oenological counterparts. (A monger is a cheese sommelier, make no mistake.)....The film may just bring out the patriot in you, as you root for American soft (cheese) power to prevail. It could just be the perfect thing to watch this coming Shavuot.”
Fox 13 Seattle — One of the festival's standout documentaries"....cited by Programming Director Megan Leonard as one of the three films she's most excited about.
Frenchly — “Moskowitz trials, trains, and hand-selects the cheesemongers who will represent the U.S. in the Mondial. What happens from there is a heartwarming story of teamwork, dedication, and unbridled love for cheese....If you have the chance to see it, I would highly recommend. ”
Gazettely — “The Big Cheese turns blind tastings, cheese plates, and a trip to Tours into something unexpectedly affecting...exceptionally likable subjects, Moskowitz's emotional personal story, tense Mondial competition sequences, and genuine sense of community...”
Ideastream Public Media — “.... “The Big Cheese” at the Cedar Lee drew large audiences...”
In Their Own League — “'The Big Cheese’ is for the dreamers and chasers of rainbows and a much appreciated story of hope in a jaded and joyless world. Don’t miss it."
Jewish Standard — "The competitions were exciting and fun to watch, like a championship sporting event. How can you not like a documentary where one of the participants says: “It has a lot of flavor but is also a very quiet cheese”? But I was equally entranced by Mr. Moskowitz..."
KPBS — "Sara Joe Wolansky directs the film with energy, humor and a love for the subject matter. "The Big Cheese" does for fromage what "Bottle Shock" did for California wines: It proves that Americans can compete with their European counterparts. "The Big Cheese" is a delicious, slightly punky, always passionate documentary about people who take what they do very seriously. I highly recommend checking it out, but make sure you smuggle some cheese in with you."
Milwaukee Magazine — ‘The Big Cheese’ Is a Can’t-Miss Moo-vie at the Milwaukee Film Festival: "This is one of those documentaries that’s a perfect balance of inspirational, educational and emotional. I was delighted every time the audience audibly reacted during the screening – cheers at Wisconsin cheese shoutouts, gasps, the folks next to me leaning forward in awe of their skills – all wonderful signs of how great this film is."
Milwaukee Magazine: The Films Our Editors Are Most Excited to See at Milwaukee Film Festival 2026 — “I’m a born-and-bred Wisconsinite – cheese is part of my DNA. So naturally, I’m drawn to this 2025 documentary about a group of American cheesemongers’ attempt to do the seemingly impossible – win the Mondial du Fromage, France’s elite Olympics of cheese.”
Milwaukee Magazine: Two Film-Watching Wizards Share Their Game Plan for the Milwaukee Film Festival — "The Big Cheese" listed as one of three "Must see" films at the festival”
New York Live NBC — Lauren Scala hits the town with Adam Moskowitz to try his favorite cheeses and chat about the new documentary “The Big Cheese.”
Screen Zealots — One of the year’s most entertaining underdog stories...it’s a thrilling sports story about perseverance, belonging, and the pursuit of excellence in one of the world’s most delightfully specialized professions. You may come for the cheese, but you’ll stay for the people whose passion makes every bite matter.”
Seattle's Child — “The exciting David vs. Goliath story will wow culinary enthusiasts.”
SLO Review — The photography and sound are excellent, so much so that you must have some cheese close by—because you will want some after experiencing this film.
Sonoma TV — TV interview with Sara Joe Wolansky, director of "The Big Cheese"
The Special Sauce Podcast — Interview with Courtney Johnson and Adam Moskowitz, two of the stars of the film
Spectrum News 1 — Interview & cheese tasting with director Sara Joe Wolansky & participant Adam Moskowitz
Spoiler Free Reviews — “...the leads are so much fun and passionate that I was instantly along for the ride and actually shed a few tears by the end of their journey.”
Unseen Films — “To be completely honest I have no notes for THE BIG CHEESE. I just love the film and the people on screen. This is a great story well told. To be completely honest, I was just watching the film smiling, not taking notes and laughing. That's all I need.”
WBUR — "The Big Cheese" spotlighted as one of the highlights of IFFBoston
Warm 106.9 — “Wolansky covers [the story] with a form of dry wit and personal mediation that The Bear’s writers’ room could only dream of capturing. This nervewracking underdog- er, undercow story throws virtually no stones in its arcs of redemption and artful food creation, unafraid to educate or enlighten as much as display a gritty objective at immense depth, detail, and deconstruction. All of which lovingly interjected with punk-rocker interludes and Chef’s Table-esque beauty shots galore”
WUWM 89.7 — Interview with Director Sara Joe Wolansky & Film Subject Adam Moskowitz