“It was just at the beginning of this terrifying and angry era when The Times of Harvey Milk was released. In fact, that year—1984—researchers identified the HIV virus as the cause of AIDS. San Francisco, a city that until recently felt like a cozy gay village, was besieged by the epidemic. As a teenager, I held that sense of loss, and in the absence of so many gay liberation pioneers, I wanted to learn my history.”
'End Game' Academy Award Nomination & Theatrical Release
We are honored to announce that "End Game" has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary (Short Subject) section! Thank you to all of the patients, families and caregivers who made this possible.
Stay tuned for the broadcast of the 91st Academy Awards on Sunday, February at 5pm PST.
Starting this Friday, "End Game" will be showing in movie theaters nationally, in the program of 2019 Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts.
Check out the Oscars Shorts official website, find out where you can watch, and join us for screenings across the U.S. from Winston-Salem, NC to Sedona, AZ.
'Switching Gears' by Guy Lodges for DGA Quarterly
"In film language, "documentary" and "narrative" are often used as if they are mutually exclusive terms. Practitioners may know the difference, yet upon further examination, the lines become blurred; whether performed by actors or pieced together from the archives, almost any film is first and foremost an act of storytelling." Read the full article
Co-directors Jeffrey Friedman, left, and Rob Epstein confer on the set of the narrative feature Howl.
Interview with Rob and Jeffrey for the San Francisco Chronicle
Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman sat down with David Lewis of the SF Chronicle to discuss their 30-year history as filmmaking collaborators. They will be presented with the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award at the SF International Film Festival this April 15th.
Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman honored with George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award
In recognition of their distinguished service to cinema, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman will be presented with the George Gund III Craft of Cinema Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival this April.
The program will include the presentation of the award and an onstage conversation with Rob and Jeff about their body of work, followed by a screening of their most recent film, End Game, and a Q and A with the filmmakers and subjects.
End Game Premieres at Sundance 2018
Directed, produced, and edited by Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, END GAME follows visionary medical practitioners who are working on the cutting edge of life and death — and dedicated to changing our thinking about both.
The film premieres at the Sundance Film Festival this January 21st through 27th. View the full screening schedule.
Paragraph 175 at NewFest
Rob Epstein will be present at two screenings for this year's NewFest:
On October 21, Rob will participate in an extended post-screening panel for DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS (1919) on the film's significance in the queer cinema canon. He'll speak alongside Noah Isenberg, Professor of Culture and Media at the New School's Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts; film journalist Manuel Betancourt and Ashley Swinnerton, Collection Specialist, Department of Film at MoMA.
PARAGRAPH 175 will screen on October 22 at 10:30am at Cinépolis Chelsea (formerly Bow Tie). Rob Epstein will be present for a Q&A following the screening.
Paragraph 175 now available on Vimeo on Demand
Paragraph 175 is now available for rent or purchase on Vimeo on Demand.
Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Paragraph 175 fills a crucial gap in the historical record of World War II - the Nazi persecution of homosexuals - and reveals the lasting consequences of this hidden chapter of 20th century history. Winner of the Documentary Directing Award at Sundance Film Festival (2000), and the FIPRESCI Prize and Teddy Award for Best Documentary Film at Berlinale, Paragraph 175 remains a significant account of a little known history told from the voices of those who survived.
"Heart-stopping! Imbued with humanity and unexpected humor." -Jan Stuart, NEWSDAY
"Exquisite and powerful." -Mick LaSalle, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
"Not to be missed...elegant and powerful!" -David Ansen, NEWSWEEK