I’m writing to you from Copenhagen, where I’m doing research for a short film I’m making as part of an artist residency at the Niels Bohr Institute. As spring starts, I wanted to share some exciting updates on projects I’ve been working on! 

KING COAL airing on POV this summer

After an incredible festival and theatrical release, playing in over 100 cities and towns around the world, Elaine McMillion Sheldon’s KING COAL, which I associate produced, will be broadcast on US public television on POV this summer.

POV is a wonderful home for the film, bringing the film - for free - to people across the country. Keep an eye out for dates to watch on television and via streaming!

CPH:DOX - HOLLYWOODGATE screens and FULLY AUTOMATED CONTACT ZONE pitches

Miriam’s film is an immersive work that will culminate in a feature documentary that I’m also producing, IT IS HARD TO LEAVE SENSE UNMADE, an essayistic exploration of ecological rewilding through two environments - the Swiss Alps, and Miriam’s gut. The festival was fantastic, with sold-out screenings for HOLLYWOODGATE, and a really great pitching experience.

HOLLYWOODGATE heads next to Hong Kong, Full Frame, DOK.fest München - stay tuned for future screenings! 

BLISS.JPG recognized amongst “best video essays of 2023” by BFI and continues festival run

My short film BLISS.JPG, co-directed with Emily Rose Apter, was selected as one of the best video essays of 2023 in the British Film Institute’s end-of-year poll, and described as a “y2k take on the method of James Benning.” The film was also the subject of a recent essay published by Chute Film Co-op, and it’s so incredible to read the critical thinking that the film has inspired. 

Since premiering at Bucharest International Experimental Film Festival in September, the film has screened Tacoma, Light Matter, Glued & Screwed, and will be screening soon at Academia Film Olomouc in the Czech Republic and Mientras Tanto Cine in Uruguay.

Brydie O’Connor’s BARBARA FOREVER, which I’m producing, and which explores the life, legacy and work of lesbian experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer, has brought Christine Vachon and Claire Edelman from Killer Films on board as executive producers! Really excited to be partnering with Killer Films, which has such an incredible history supporting and shaping independent queer cinema. 

Killer Films, which most recently produced Oscar-nominees MAY DECEMBER and PAST LIVES, will be important partners in helping bring this film to the screen. And if you’re Provincetown, MA on April 12, you can meet Brydie and the Killer Films team and see Brydie’s previous work as part of a screening celebrating Provincetown Film Society’s Queer Filmmakers in Residence.

LANDSCAPES OF MEMORY selected for Hot Docs Pitch Forum

Leah Galant’s film LANDSCAPES OF MEMORY, which I’m producing, exploring the uses and abuses of Holocaust memory in contemporary Germany, has been selected as one of 19 projects to pitch at the Hot Docs Forum. Really looking forward to bringing this prescient and pressing film to Toronto in a month! 

BARBARA FOREVER has also been selected for Hot Docs’ Deal Maker, where we’ll be pitching in 1:1 meetings. 

Anthony Svatek’s film, HUMBOLDT USA, released a teaser earlier this year. The film is nearing completion of production, with Anthony headed back to Buffalo, NY in just a few days to catch the total solar eclipse! The film was recently awarded a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, which has allowed us to move forward with post-production on the film. 

BARBARA FOREVER was also a recipient of a NYSCA grant this past cycle - always grateful for public arts funding!

Emilia Mello’s film profiling chemistry student awarded IDFA Bertha Fund grant

Brazilian director Emilia Mello’s latest project has been awarded a grant from the IDFA Bertha Fund. The film is amongst twelve selected projects by documentary filmmakers from the Global South. This Brazilian, US and Belgian co-production follows a young chemistry student contemplating the nature of black holes.

We’re keeping details of the project under wraps to protect a sensitive story, but are always happy to share more info one-on-one.

And next week I’m off to Iceland for Sara Dosa’s next film that I’m producing - more on that soon!

Thanks so much for reading!

All the best,
Elijah Stevens