Filmmakers and producers Alexander Hammer, Jenn Freeman, and Ian Stuart chatted about being a part of the “Room to Move” documentary, which is executive produced by Amy Schumer.
“Room to Move” had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City earlier this month.
Amy Schumer’s goal with this documentary is to help “de-stigmatize autism,” and rightfully so.
Background on the documentary
At its core, this film follows dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman as she is thrust into the unknown, following a late diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of 33.
This life-altering discovery inspires Jenn to examine every memory from childhood to adulthood through this new lens in order to confront her past, understand her present and take on her future.
Jenn, along with her partner, Ian, and best friend, Tony-winning choreographer Sonya Tayeh decided to develop a one-woman theatrical performance based on Jenn’s revelations and the unique way in which she experiences the often overwhelming world around her.
This documentary will be a pastiche of theatricality, clinical analysis and friendship, coming together to tell Jenn’s story using the language she knows best– dance.
Alexander Hammer— Director, producer, editor, co-cinematographer
Hammer served as director, producer, editor, and co-cinematographer of this documentary feature.
On being a part of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, Hammer said, “This came as a surprise. It came up really, really fast. We didn’t know we were going to be involved until we were, so we had to wrap up everything really quick. It felt great.”
“This documentary taught me that I’m autistic,” Hammer admitted. “The whole situation came across following Jenn Freeman as the documentary subject, and then, we learned a lot about autism. That was a big thing for me.”
On working with Amy Schumer, Hammer said, “I’ve been working with her for a while now. The last project I did was a docu-series with her about her pregnancy, and her husband, who is autistic as well. So, naturally, she wanted to support this project as well.”
On being a filmmaker in the digital age, Hammer said, “I think it’s great because I get to be on both sides of it. I have an understanding for it and an appreciation for it.”
Regarding his definition of success, Hammer said, “Success means setting goals and achieving them.”
Jenn Freeman — Producer and documentary subject
On being a part of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, Freeman said, “It feels surreal, and the best feeling ever.”
“This documentary unfolded over the most profound, crazy, and life-altering moment in years that I’ve ever experienced, so the film is watching me stumble through all of that,” she elaborated.
On the one takeaway that she wants people to get out of it, Freeman said, “I think holding space for each other, and remembering that you don’t always know what is happening behind the scenes.”
Ian Stuart — Producer and co-cinematographer
On being a part of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, Stuart said, “It’s thrilling to be here. This was five years in the making, and I am so glad to be here.”
On producing “Room to Move,” he said, “I was surrounded by some incredible artists, so it felt like an obligation where I couldn’t let them down. It was a family affair, and it is just wild to have everyone standing here finally, and we are going to share it with the world.”
Stuart had great words about working with Alexander Hammer. “It was a dream! He did it all, and we were all chief bottle washers on this project,” Stuart noted.
“We all helped shoot it and we were all shopping for second-hand furniture for the live aspect, and we were charging our own batteries. We did everything it took to make this documentary,” Stuart elaborated.
On working with Amy Schumer, Stuart expressed, “It was a dream. One of the incredible aspects about Amy is that she is so encouraging and giving. She says it like it is. Amy has only one interest, and that’s making sure that the project itself is in the best possible place.”
