Are the creators of some of today’s most popular TV shows becoming more famous than our most well-known filmmakers? I don’t know if we’re there just yet, but the upcoming documentary Showrunners finally shines a spotlight on the intriguing personalities behind many of our favourite shows, and explores what it takes to get a show on the air nowadays. If you’re a fan of such shows as Lost, Fringe, House, Battlestar Galactica, Spartacus or Sons of Anarchy, you’ll probably want to check this one out. Before you ask, though, Joss Whedon is notably absent.

Directed by Des Doyle, a camera assistant for such films as Reign of Fire and It Might Get Loud, the documentary is comprised mainly of interviews with various current television writers and series creators. It seems similar to the screenwriter documentary Tales from the Script, and I can only hope that it features some equally fascinating success and horror stories. There’s no question that the quality of television programming has risen dramatically over the past decade, but it also requires a very different approach from film. Consider me interested. Showrunners is currently aiming for a 2012 release; check out the trailer after the jump.