The films in today's Filmmakers in Focus come from our Documentary Spotlight section. Taking on a game-changing porn maverick, a trash icon, the future of the planet, a legendary bathhouse and a "Zen Anarchist", these filmmakers know how to tell a great story and get to the heart of their subjects. You can see the results for yourself at SXSW Film—head to the film schedule to add them do your list. Click on one of the links below to browse through these five interviews, and see all the Filmmakers in Focus to date on this page.
Malcolm Ingram on Continental
Image courtesy Andrew MacDonald
Tell us a little about your film.
Continental is a documentary about the infamous NYC gay bathhouse, The Continental Baths. A place where sex, celebrity, politics....and more sex, combined to create a hedonistic and inclusive club house in post- Stonewall New York.
Why did you start making films? 
Image courtesy
Andrew MacDonald
I used to make really bad narratives.....when I finally came to grips with my predilection for dick my viewpoint changed and I found myself interested in telling stories of Queer misfit community.
My first documentary was 'small town gay bar' which played at SXSW in 2006.
Have you been to SXSW before?
This is my fourth film that has had the privilege to play SXSW.
The only tip I have is to have fun. This is a great festival in a great town surrounded by great people. If you don't take some time to explore....it is a wasted opportunity. Balance the schmooze with adventure.
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
I've had the privilege of getting drunk with Shane McGowan, eating a greasy breakfast with Tom Waits and bumming a smoke off Hunter S Thompson by the age of 20.
Everything else has been gravy.
Matt Anderson on Fall & Winter
Image courtesy David Black
Tell us a little about your film.
Fall and Winter is my attempt to understand the global crises we face. I hopped in a van and drove around, interviewing dozens of brilliant people to understand the origins of the catastrophes we have created. What I discovered were strategies we can implement as the problems reach a crescendo.
Why did you start making films? 
Image courtesy
David Black
This is my first film. So I guess all I can say is that I wanted to make this film because I recognized we are in a beautiful, scary and overwhelming transition in human history. I wanted to try and capture a glimpse of our world in disarray as we voyage deeper into a process of great transformation... Both the good and the bad!
Have you been to SXSW before?
I've never been! I am excited to show the film, have some great discussions and watch my friend Michael's band VIETNAM perform. Michael came on all of my filming trips around the country as he was writing his new album. So it feels very fitting that our film and his new album will premiere at the same time!
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
I'm also a DJ. I've played records in a lot of bars and night clubs over the years. I love big sound systems, wild parties, and dancing until I collapse! I have two cats (Sun Ra and Moondog) currently living in Brazil with my girlfriend Renata.
- Add Fall & Winter to your schedule here
- Click here to read all Filmmakers in Focus interviews to date
Jeffrey Schwarz on I Am Divine
Image courtesy Andrew CurtisTell us a little about your film.
I Am Divine is the story of how an overweight, effeminate, bullied Baltimore kid transformed himself into an internationally recognized drag superstar. He became known around the world for his leading roles in films by John Waters, his appearances on the stage, his recording career, and touring with a disco act. Divine is an inspiration to misfits, outsiders, rebels, and freaks and I hope this movie reignites interest in this incredible individual who had the last laugh on his tormentors.
Why did you start making films? 
Image courtesy filmmakers
I started making films to celebrate iconic, larger than life individuals with a great story to tell. The people I choose to make movies about all created a finely tuned persona that helped cover up any insecurities they may have had. People like horror movie maestro William Castle, 70s porn icon Jack Wrangler, and of course Divine fit into that category. I fall in love with these people, warts and all, and want to illustrate their journeys on film and take an audience for a ride.
Have you been to SXSW before? What are you most looking forward to?
Although I've been to Austin several times and love it, this will be my first trip to SXSW. I'm expecting to see lots of great movies, meet fellow filmmakers, and suffer from sleep deprivation. I'm most excited to unveil I Am Divine in front of an audience for the first time. It's always a thrill for me to watch my work with an enthusiastic crowd - that NEVER gets old!
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
I've spent the better part of this century making "behind-the-scenes" documentaries and DVD extras so I'm the guy responsible for all those featurettes, audio commentaries, and other "added value" as the studios like to call it. I was happy to see the more inane moments from Arnold Schwarzenegger's audio commentary for Total Recall go viral.
Joey Figueroa & Zak Knutson on Milius
Image courtesy filmmakersTell us a little about your film.
Milius is about writer/director John Milius, one of the most influential storytellers of his generation. Maybe the last of the “Old School” Hollywood types. A man with a larger than life personality and a resume that is undeniable. A man who speaks with zero filter, which at times can be as unpopular as it celebrated. A self described "Zen Anarchist".
When did you start making films? 
Image courtesy filmmakers
I think like allot of filmmakers, it all begins with just wanting to tell stories. Making documentaries was not our first choice of how to tell stories, but sometimes you take the opportunity that is presented and that came in the form of Docs. The great thing about storytelling via documentaries is that you start with the idea of what you want to present, and it always seems for one reason or another, the story develops as it's being shot. Things change, unexpected surprises that turn out to be gems, and those gems make your story that much better. Sometimes it can be a challenge, but that's part of what drives you.
Have you been to SXSW before?
In 2009 we had the pleasure of hosting a panel during the festival. It was about how to use the web as a marketing tool for your film. Which today, is the absolute norm. As far as tips, make sure you "TIP" your bartender properly, and believe me, your stay will be a memorable one. Aside from looking forward to our Milius premiere, I'm also looking forward to checking out some of the other films, like another documentary titled, A Band Called Death, also produced by our films producers. Oh yeah, and a party or two, or three.
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
We are a couple of guys who met in the mid 90’s while working at a strip joint in Santa Ana, Ca. I was the DJ, and Zak was the bouncer whose post was next to the Dj booth. We spent most of our time talking movies, wanting to make movies, quoting dialogue, all while some stripper was getting felt up, and I had an empty stage (obviously not doing our job). In 2005 we formed Chop Shop Entertainment, and began making behind the scenes documentaries. Milius will be our feature debut, and our first independent project.
Dan Hunt on Mr. Angel
Image courtesy filmmakersTell us a little about your film.
Shot over 6 years, Mr. Angel follows porn pioneer and transgender activist, Buck Angel as he challenges the world's notions of what it means to be a man. It's an intimate portrait of Buck's struggles with addiction and his relentless pursuit of acceptance from his family and the world. His is a truly inspiring story.
Why did you start making films? 
Image courtesy filmmakers
I began making films that address complex social issues in the hopes of prompting discussion and affecting change. Buck's story is amazing because it sits at the intersection of gender and sexuality. He is beyond amazing because he is unwavering in his mission to confront and win over his audience.
Have you been to SXSW before?
I premiered a film entitled Cruel & Unusual at SXSW back in 2006. I am most looking forward to seeing some provocative films and spending time in the amazing city of Austin! Also, I am thrilled and honored to be introducing Buck Angel's story to the SXSW audience.
Tell us a random fact (or two!) that would help our attendees get a better idea of who you are.
I've been producing docs for nearly 25 years. In the early days I produced historical docs and then moved to social justice docs about 15 yrs ago.
I'm currently working on an environmental doc about a sustainable art movement in the Hudson Valley region of NY.
