Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere Documentary Brings Iconic Photographer’s Life to the Big Screen
In a world flooded with images, few photographers captured history the way Steve Schapiro did. Known for his powerful portraits and behind-the-scenes moments, Schapiro’s work tells the story of America across six decades. Now, his life and groundbreaking career are coming to theaters in the new documentary Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere.
Abramorama has acquired the North American rights to the film, directed by Maura Smith, which dives deep into the life of the late photographer who shot everyone from Muhammad Ali to Barbra Streisand and even U.S. presidents. The film is set to premiere at the Mill Valley and Newport Beach Film Festivals before hitting theaters nationwide on November 14.
This is not just a movie about photography. It’s a window into the soul of a man who didn’t just document history — he lived it.
A Legendary Career Behind the Camera
Steve Schapiro’s photographs graced the covers of magazines like Life, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Time. His images didn’t just capture moments, they defined eras.
From the frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement to the glitter of Hollywood, Schapiro’s lens was everywhere. He photographed the March on Washington and Selma to Montgomery marches, standing alongside icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
His camera was also present during some of pop culture’s most iconic moments. On film sets, he immortalized Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver, Marlon Brando in The Godfather, and even Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
“I’ve shot everything from poodles to presidents.”
steve Schapiro once quipped
The Film: An Intimate Portrait of a Cultural Witness
Directed by Maura Smith, Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere offers an intimate view of Schapiro’s life and work. The film weaves his own words with his most famous photographs, offering viewers a journey through history as seen through his eyes.
“Steve’s health was declining, but his memory and passion for his work remained razor-sharp,”
Maura Smith
“Every conversation felt precious—we were racing against time to capture not just his stories, but the wisdom of someone who had truly ‘been everywhere’ that mattered in American culture and history.”
The documentary was created with the help of executive producers Michael Rosenberg, Sid Ganis, and Rob Friedman, all of whom had personal and professional connections to Schapiro.
“Steve wasn’t just documenting history—he was living inside it,” they shared in a joint statement. “His camera captured the soul of America during its most pivotal moments, and we felt compelled to ensure his extraordinary story and singular perspective reach the widest possible audience.”
Abramorama Brings the Story to Theaters
Abramorama, known for its focus on independent films, will release the documentary across the U.S., starting with a week-long engagement in New York City at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema on November 14.
“In an era where authentic storytelling and visual truth matter more than ever,”
Karol Martesko-Fenster
CEO of Abramorama
“Steve Schapiro’s legacy reminds us of photography’s power to shape how we understand our world. This film arrives at the perfect moment to celebrate not just an artist, but a witness to the American experience.”
Audiences in cities like Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Washington DC, San Francisco, and Chicago will have the chance to experience this deeply personal and visually stunning film in theaters.
A Photographer Who Captured America’s Soul
Schapiro’s archive is a treasure chest of cultural history. His photographs include intimate portraits of stars like David Bowie and Andy Warhol, alongside striking images of political figures such as Robert F. Kennedy and John Lewis.
He was there for RFK’s last Christmas morning and at the Lorraine Motel after Dr. King’s assassination. His work did not just record events; it shaped how the world remembers them.
For upscale audiences who appreciate both art and history, Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere is more than a film — it’s a chance to step into the moments that shaped a nation.
Why This Film Matters Now
At a time when digital images are consumed in seconds and forgotten just as quickly, Schapiro’s work reminds us of photography’s lasting impact.
His photographs are proof that a single image can change the way we see the world.
The film’s release this fall invites audiences to slow down and truly look — to connect with history and culture through the eyes of one of America’s greatest storytellers.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the legacy of Steve Schapiro when the film opens November 14.
