New feature-length documentary, INTERMEDIACY, exploring the life and legacy of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, kicks off crowdfunding push. Seed&Spark campaign aims to raise $22,000+ in 30 days.
Director/Producer Alex Yakacki (He/She/They) is excited to announce the launch of a Seed&Spark crowdfunding campaign for their new, first-of-its-kind feature-length biopic, INTERMEDIACY: THE LIFE OF DR. MAGNUS HIRSCHFELD. Funds are being raised to cover final production costs and to move the film into post-production. The direct link to the campaign is here: seedandspark.com/fund/magnusdoc
INTERMEDIACY weaves the extraordinary life of gay, Jewish sexologist and activist Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) with eight vibrant stories of LGBTQIA+ Berliners today. This dynamic interplay reveals the timeless nature of queer joy and struggle while contemplating the potential of tomorrow’s liberation.
After nearly a decade in media spotlighting the stories of marginalized people and communities through the production of 100+ short docs, ad spots, and explainer videos, Alex is now embarking on their first feature documentary.
While navigating the long, often dehumanizing process of securing gender-affirming care through insurance, Alex discovered Magnus Hirschfeld and his Institut für Sexualwissenschaft (Institute for Sexual Science) – founded in 1919. Inspired and frustrated by this history, they applied for and won a Fulbright study/research scholarship to Germany, marking the start of INTERMEDIACY.
Yakacki spent a year in Berlin, exploring the city’s queer life, assembling a top-notch, majority LGBTQIA+ cast and crew, and filming 16 interviews – a bulk of the documentary. The project has flourished with the institutional support of Freie University, Humboldt University, and the Magnus-Hirschfeld-Gesellschaft (Magnus Hirschfeld Society).
The documentary features interviews from, among others, Ben Miller (He/Him – Writer/Historian, Schwules Museum, Bad Gays podcast), Tessa Ganserer (She/Her – Member, German Reichstag), and Christopher Screiber – (He/Him – Executive Director, LSVD+), with actor/writer Zero Pilnik (They/Them) portraying Magnus in drag in sweeping transitional scenes.
Yakacki says, “Magnus Hirschfeld believed that sexual and gender diversity is a natural feature of humanity, observable in any culture and every period of history – something to be nurtured and understood, not punished and denied. He began publishing on his theory of “sexual intermediacy” in Berlin all the way back in 1896.
Looking at this history, it’s clear that queerness is far from a modern invention – and neither are the efforts to silence or rewrite queer lives. Recognizing this should inspire us to challenge societal norms built on shame, fear, and patriarchy.
Intermediacy offers LGBTQIA+ folks a meaningful connection to their rich heritage. By shining a light on this profound historical moment and uplifting brilliant modern-day queer voices, I hope to play a role in shaping a future where everyone is free to live more authentic, fulfilling lives. After all, past and present, you can’t be what you can’t dream.”
