Slamdance 2025 | A Conversation with Fist Bump Director Madeleine Farley

Hey, everyone!

I'm thrilled to share another film festival interview with you. This time, I'm featuring Madeleine Farley, director and DP of Fist Bump, a documentary making its North American premiere at Slamdance 2025!

Fist Bump tells the story of Marcus Knight, a talented young adult with autism and cerebral palsy, and his journey to pursue his dreams on Broadway amidst unexpected challenges.

Buy tickets for Fist Bump's Slamdance screenings here.

I hope you enjoy this conversation with Madeleine Farley! If you're attending Slamdance 2025, be sure to check out Fist Bump and support independent films. Let me know your thoughts in the comments or my Patron Lounge.

Fist Bump screens at Slamdance 2025 – stay tuned for my full festival coverage!

Chapters

• 00:10 - Introduction

• 00:33 - What Drew Madeleine to Marcus's Story

• 00:56 - Navigating the Critique of Title IX

• 01:25 - Approaching Marcus's Story Authentically & Respectfully

• 04:00 - Deciding on the Narrative Structure

• 05:10 - Integrating Music into the Documentary

• 07:27 - Wearing Multiple Hats: Director, DP, & Producer

Prefer audio?

Click below to listen to the full audio interview or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

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Until next time!