Aaron Bear
Aaron Bear is an award-winning filmmaker whose work is defined by a rare combination of deeply empathetic storytelling and a relentless commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. His most recent documentary, Yes I Am: The Ric Weiland Story (2021), won the prestigious 2024 GLAAD Media Award, cementing his place as one of today’s most impactful and visionary documentarians. Known for his ability to capture the raw, unfiltered essence of his subjects, Aaron’s films go beyond surface-level narratives, delving into the humanity and complexity that often go unseen. Aaron’s career is marked by influential partnerships and creative leadership with having directed the 2016 groundbreaking Trans documentary Finding Kim and producing the upcoming 2025 short documentary Shelly's Leg - about the legacy of legendary and Seattle's very first gay bar.
Having built strong relationships with Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato of World of Wonder, Aaron has contributed to projects that push cultural boundaries and spark critical conversations. As a Senior Producer at Adobe Studios, he spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns, blending innovative technology with compelling storytelling to engage global audiences. His leadership has consistently inspired other filmmakers on the up to reach new creative heights.
Aaron lives in Los Angeles with his husband of 23 years, a Husky named Zita & a pug named Frank.
IDA: Please tell us a little about yourself and your profession or passion.
Dayton, Ohio born and bred. I’ve lived in San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, and now sunny Los Angeles. I would describe myself as an eternal optimist with a dash of healthy cynicism. I’m drawn to stories that challenge the norm, celebrate humanity, and give a voice to those who’ve been overlooked. My passion lies in uncovering moments of true, authentic connection—whether it’s through the lens of LGBTQ+ history, a story that can change a heart or a mind, or finding humor in the mundane.
My passions span space and time a bit. I’m a big believer that it costs nothing to be kind but don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. An avid vinyl collector since birth, you can find me worshiping at Amoeba on a Sunday. I still buy DVDs and listen to every commentary. I’m deeply empathetic, a trait I mostly get from my mom. Like most documentary filmmakers, I’ve learned how to wrangle that sensitivity and make it work for me—most of the time.
When I’m not working on something, I’m usually hanging with my husband of 23 years (I know, we can’t believe it either) and our dogs: a Siberian husky named Zita (the patron saint of maids in Catholicism) and a pug named Frank, after Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
IDA: When did you first start working in the documentary field?
My documentary journey began in 2012 with Finding Kim (2016), almost by accident. I was working at Microsoft in advertising—burning the candle at both ends—and feeling like I wasn’t making anything that truly mattered to me. I had an expensive film degree gathering dust, but I didn’t know how to make the leap. Then, a close friend told me they were transitioning from at 50 years old. It was such a powerful moment: the courage to embrace change later in life. I thought, this is the kind of story I want to tell.
Naively, I figured documenting their journey would take a year. Spoiler: it didn’t. Around the same time, I started working at Starbucks Creative Studio, but my heart wasn’t in marketing. I quickly realized I wasn’t cut out for that world—it felt too polished, too disconnected. What I wanted was raw, messy, and deeply human. However, I needed a paycheck, so I was pulling double duty—a full-time corporate job and a full-time documentary.
Looking back, I am grateful I had time to really give it the love it deserved. I ended up getting interviews with Dan Savage, Calpernia Addams, Carmen Carrera, & Buck Angel. Finding Kim informed the type of films I want to make. It showed me the impact stories can have, the way they crack us open and make us see the world differently. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since: telling stories that challenge, inspire, and leave a mark.
IDA: Congratulations on the GLAAD Media Award for your film Yes I Am - The Ric Weiland Story. Please tell us about the film.
Thank you for saying so. There’s so much to tell about this film. Yes I Am: The Ric Weiland Story (2021) is about the life and legacy of Microsoft founder and queer pioneer - Mr. Ric Weiland. Ric changed the world and was an integral figure in the land of philanthropy, HIV/AIDS research, nature, cancer research, and a laundry list of other causes. Ric was also very hidden from the world and remained a very private person. He was someone who suffered emotionally (not because he was gay - he was very open and proud) but (I think) just couldn’t connect with other human beings on the level he wanted to.
Production-wise - the film took about 5 years, with navigating how to finish it during the height of COVID in the very last year of production. There was virtually no footage of Ric in existence since he was so private. However, I ended up stumbling upon his journals at Stanford University where Ric has his entire archive. I had the journals digitized and then had to read ALL of them to find a thorough line of his life. I had custom animations made, re-enactments of his life with actor Gil Bar-Sela and interviews with Bill Gates, Mike Schaefer (his former partner), Dr. Hans Peter Kiem (a doctor working on the HIV cure), and queer activist Urvashi Vaid. Somewhere along the way, I got hooked up with two queer heroes of my own on Yes I Am - Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato that founded the legendary World Of Wonder. They executive produced the film and Zachary Quinto narrates Ric’s journals.
After a year-long hybrid festival run and then selling it to a distributor, I thought that was kind of the end. Luckily, my friend and creative partner Chris Pannizon championed the film to get a carve-out for impact screenings and campaigns, which have been incredible to witness.
The GLAAD Media Award came about and was quite honestly such an incredible honor. You know when people say “awards don’t matter” they absolutely do. Especially for documentary films and filmmakers. GLAAD recognizing Yes I Am - The Ric Weiland Story is something I’m very proud of. Without any sense of this sounding overly obnoxious, the real reward has been hearing how Ric’s story resonates with others. It’s a reminder that representation and visibility aren’t just buzzwords—they’re lifelines. Ric changed the trajectory of my own life and with that, he lives on.
IDA: You are currently working on A Light in Cañon City. What is the project's stage? Can you tell us a bit more about the piece?
A Light in Cañon City is about a small Colorado town with a population of about 45,000 people living among eleven correctional facilities. I’m documenting what life is like after rehabilitation from the inside out and partnering with a really incredible, no-strings-attached rehab program. We’re knee-deep in production while still raising funds, but I finally feel like we’re making some headway there.
I’m also documenting what it’s like to live there as a resident. Which has surprised me in a lot of ways. I discovered that there is no singular type of person who lives here. One would assume one wouldn’t want to live in a community surrounded by prisons. However, Cañon City is a town thriving and very much alive from all walks of life and from all over the world. The city itself has a vibe that I’m still wrapping my mitts around - almost tangible in a way. It’s a story about resilience, unlikely alliances, and the power of community to spark change. This film is a bit of a departure from my queer-based work and honestly has surprised me a bit that I care so deeply about this subject. I get a resounding feeling of being fortified in the film wanting to change a heart or mind, or even a policy in this case.
What draws me most to this project is its humanity. It’s not about heroes or villains—it’s about real people navigating real challenges and finding common ground. In today’s polarized world, I think we need more stories like this—ones that remind us of our shared humanity, even in the most unexpected places.
IDA: What is next for you? Are you working on anything you can share with us?
I’m in pre-production on several projects that have been simmering in the background: A feature doc about a serious church sex abuse cover-up in the ’90s. A travel docu-series about my friend Chris Puckett, who takes people on life-changing adventures. Another feature doc about Scholastic Books. A potential first-person documentary about my own mental health journey through the lens of psychedelics.
Coming soon for the 2025 festival circuit is a short documentary called Shelly’s Leg, about Seattle’s first openly gay disco. It has one of the most plot-twisting origin stories ever. Directed by the incredibly talented Wes Hurley and narrated by Kathleen Turner (yes, I got to meet and record Kathleen Turner!).
Beyond these projects, I’m searching for collaborators and a creative family. Attending the IDA Awards the other night and seeing the teams behind those incredible films reminded me that I no longer have to do this alone.