Stephen Winter

Stephen Winter
Winter on set at Julius Bar, directing for Barefoot Wine in 2018
Born
United States
OccupationFilm director
Notable workChocolate Babies
Websitehttps://www.stephenwinter.me/

Stephen Winter is an American film director known for such works as his debut film Chocolate Babies[1][2] and Jason and Shirley.[3][4] Winter has described himself in interviews as "The heartbeat of queer cinema in New York City."[5]

Career

Stephen Winter made his directorial debut in 1996 with Chocolate Babies, a film about a group of queer activists of color in New York City. Filmed in just three weeks, Winter used his own apartment as a set and relied on friends to act as crew members.[6] The film covers issues of AIDS activism and political resistance,[1] earning critical acclaim at film festivals but initially receiving limited distribution.[6] It later gained further recognition when it was added to the Criterion Channel in 2021.[7][8] In 2003, Winter became head of the MIX NYC film festival,[9] which led to him becoming producer of Jonathan Caouette's 2004 film Tarnation.[10][11][12]

In 2008, Winter wrote a segment for the anthology film, New York, I Love You.[13][14] In 2012–2013, Winter worked with director Lee Daniels as the head of research for The Butler, a historical drama about a White House butler who served multiple U.S. presidents. His work focused on gathering archival materials to ensure historical accuracy.[4]

Winter returned to directing in 2015 with Jason and Shirley, a reimagined portrayal of the making of Shirley Clarke's 1967 documentary Portrait of Jason. The film delved into issues of race, power, and representation in cinema.[3][15] Due to lack of funding, Winter worked full time while making the film and producing it in his spare time.[16]

Winter co-created the Afrofuturist podcast Adventures In New America with Tristan Cowen, produced by Night Vale Presents,[17] which premiered in 2018. The podcast blended speculative fiction with social commentary, addressing themes of racism and inequality through a science fiction lens.[18][19] In 2023, he directed the narrative science fiction podcast The Space Within.[20]

Winter has taught screenwriting as an adjunct professor in the film department of Brooklyn College.[21]

Critical reception

Jezebel wrote that Winter's films such as Chocolate Babies and Jason and Shirley are a blast.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b Rondinelli, Netta (May 17, 2023). "TIFF unveils June 2023 programming". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  2. ^ Wiliams, Conor (October 27, 2021). "For the Love of Black Queer Cinema: A Conversation with Stephen Winter". The Criterion Collection.
  3. ^ a b Brody, Richard (August 27, 2021). "Jason and Shirley". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  4. ^ a b Macfarlane, Steve (June 17, 2015). ""The Only Film in the Canon Which had a Black, Gay Man as its Lead": Director Stephen Winter on Jason and Shirley". Filmmaker.
  5. ^ Knegt, Peter (September 6, 2023). "Queer cinema is lucky to have a 'heartbeat' as loud as Stephen Winter". CBC Arts.
  6. ^ a b Macias, Ernesto (2021-08-31). "Stephen Winter and Lee Daniels Discuss Breaking In and Breaking Out". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  7. ^ Hereford, André (2021-09-20). "Stephen Winter's audacious 'Chocolate Babies' and 'Jason and Shirley' join Criterion's classics". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  8. ^ "The Criterion Channel's September 2021 Lineup". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  9. ^ "History". www.mixnyc.org. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  10. ^ Wilcha, Christopher (2004-10-01). "Interview: Jonathan Caouette". BOMB Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  11. ^ Hernandez, Eugene (2004-05-16). ""Tarnation"". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  12. ^ Foundas, Scott (2004-10-14). "What in Tarnation". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2025-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ^ Scott, A. O. (2009-10-16). "Manhattan Is for Lovers: Two by Two by Two by ..." The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  14. ^ Weissberg, Jay (2009-09-30). "New York, I Love You". Variety. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  15. ^ Roy, Rajendra (2015-10-19). "MoMA Presents: Stephen Winter's Jason and Shirley". The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  16. ^ Robinson, Esther B. (2016-07-25). "It's Not Always About the Money - Filmmaker Magazine". Filmmaker Magazine | Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  17. ^ "Fiction podcasts are on the rise and better than ever. These are the ones to listen to". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "'Adventures in New America' is a Masterful Blend of Societal Critique and Absurdity | Arts | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  19. ^ Hess, Amanda (September 13, 2018). "The Best New Social Thriller Is a Podcast". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Amin, Arezou (2023-06-15). "Jessica Chastain Takes on a Mysterious New Patient in 'The Space Within' Clip [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  21. ^ "Film Department Adjuncts". Brooklyn College. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  22. ^ Juzwiak, Rich (September 3, 2021). "Director Stephen Winter Has Been Ahead of the Curve; The Curve Is Finally Catching Up". Jezebel.

Further reading

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