Happy almost spring - I hope the return of light and warmth brings you renewed creativity and joy. I’m excited to share updates on some of the films I’m producing:

Emilia Mello’s sophomore feature selected to pitch at CPH:FORUM

Director Emilia Mello - whose debut feature NO KINGS received the DOX:Award at CPH:DOX in 2020 - is returning to the festival to pitch her new film about a young chemistry student contemplating the nature of black holes. I’m thrilled to be producing this US-Brazil-Belgium co-production alongside Enciclopédia de Lugares Imaginários, Clin d’Oeil & Quarta-Feira Filmes.

If you’ll be at CPH:DOX in March, let’s connect!

HUMBOLDT USA previewing work-in-progress at First Look’s Working on It

I love this festival, and all the brilliant films it brings to audiences. Attending Working On It sessions, where filmmakers present and discuss the artistic process with audiences, has been formative to my growth as a filmmaker.

At a time when even basic questions about the colonial roots of our institutions are silenced and Silicon Valley leaders increasingly dominate our politics and daily lives, this film’s exploration of our technologically-mediated relationships to nature, and the legacy of Alexander von Humboldt on American environmentalism and science, feels increasingly salient.

If you’re in New York, join us for the screening and discussion, facilitated by Artistic Director Eric Hynes, on March 14th at 2:45pm - would love to hear your thoughts on the film!

BARBARA FOREVER at Cinema du Réel’s ParisDOC Works-in-Progress

Brydie O’Connor’s feature - on the life, work and legacy of pioneering lesbian experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer - has been selected for ParisDOC Works-in-Progress! I can’t think of a better venue than Cinéma du réel to bring the film, still in post-production, to the international market. 

The festival has long been a home for experimental and boundary-pushing nonfiction cinema, screening repertory programming alongside contemporary works. BARBARA FOREVER embodies this ethos, channeling Barbara Hammer’s artistic vision with its own unique approach, bringing her life’s work to new audiences.

LANDSCAPES OF MEMORY selected for Jewish Film Institute residency

Amidst the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine, the weaponization of Holocaust memory, and the rise of the far-right in Germany and globally, I’m grateful that this film continues to receive support to explore crucial personal and communal questions about remembrance, trauma and collective memory.

And if you’re looking for things to watch -

Hollywoodgate, which I associate produced, is streaming on Jolt through March 31, and now playing at theaters across Germany.

Bliss.jpg, my short film, continues to be available from DAFilms.

Finally, as a few of the films I’m producing near completion, and the industry continues to face major challenges, I’ve been thinking a lot about innovative approaches to building audiences beyond independent distribution - decentralized screenings & cine clubs, accompanying books/zines, and more. If you have thoughts on all this, would love to hear from you and discuss!

All the best,
Elijah Stevens