Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) for a virtual conversation with Steven Feinartz, a director, writer, and producer who’s work spans documentary features, comedy specials, and scripted projects for major platforms like HBO, Netflix, and Comedy Central. In his latest documentary, Are We Good?, Feinartz follows comedian Marc Maron as he navigates deep personal grief and creative evolution following the loss of his partner, shedding light on resilience through humor and vulnerability.
Feinartz will discuss his approach to documentary storytelling, including building trust with subjects, capturing intimate moments on film, and balancing emotional weight with levity. The conversation will also highlight his career across both documentary and comedy, offering a look at how he crafts authentic narratives across genres.
Steven Feinartz
Director/Producer
About Steven Feinartz:
Steven Feinartz is a Director and Producer behind more than 20 specials and series for Netflix, Comedy Central, Showtime, and HBO. He co-created and directed Please Understand Me, a scripted comedy series with Sarah Silverman for Facebook Watch. He made his directorial debut with The Bitter Buddha, a cult-hit documentary on comic Eddie Pepitone that received a theatrical release.
Feinartz most recently directed the HBO stand-up specials Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark (2023) and Marc Maron: Panicked (2025). In 2025, he launched his own banner, Feinartz Department, a production company dedicated to documentaries, comedy specials, and scripted projects.
Richard Ray Pérez
Sidney Poitier New American Film School
About the moderator:
Richard “Rick” Ray Pérez (he/him/el) is a professor of documentary filmmaking at Arizona State University’s Sidney Poitier New American Film School, where he is also the Program Director of Borderlands Cinematic Arts, an academic center within the Poitier School. Prior to joining ASU and Borderlands Cinematic Arts, Rick was the Executive Director of the International Documentary Association (IDA) and the Director of Acquisitions and Distribution Strategies at GBH | WORLD Channel. Rick also worked at Sundance Institute as Director of Creative Partnerships, where he developed, designed, and led artist-based filmmaking programs.
As a filmmaker, Rick directed and executive produced the feature documentary Cesar’s Last Fast, a project that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and which The New York Times recognized as one of 20 essential films that capture the Latinx experience. Rick was also an Executive Producer at Brave New Films, where he executive produced two documentary series and directed a third. He currently serves on the board of Brave New Films. Rick is a native of Los Angeles and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University.
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
This panel will take place virtually over ZOOM. Ticket purchasers will receive a ZOOM link to this panel 2 hours before the published start time. If you don’t already have the ZOOM app, please make sure to download on your device before the panel start time.
If you purchase an All-Access Pass for our November/DocuSlate Festival events prior to the date of this panel, you will also receive admission to this virtual panel, included as part of your pass.
If you are a current Annual Member of NFMLA, please email info@nfmla.org to receive a complimentary ticket to this panel. If you are not an Annual Member of NFMLA and would like to join, you can become a member here.
