Stephen Winter
American film director
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Stephen Winter | |
|---|---|
Winter on set at Julius Bar, directing for Barefoot Wine in 2018 | |
| Born | United States |
| Occupation | Film director |
| Notable work | Chocolate Babies |
| Website | https://www.stephenwinter.me/ |
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]