Go inside the life of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and gay icon Ned Rorem in this exclusive interview with filmmaker Susan Sandler (Crossing Delancey). Her latest documentary, “The Artist Must Grow Ever More Selfish,” offers an intimate, sensory portrait of Rorem’s transformative years in 1950s Paris. ?Drawn from Rorem’s explosive Paris Diary, the film uses rare personal archives, sketches, and Rorem’s own music to explore his bold journey through the French avant-garde. Sandler discusses the film’s origins, her deep friendship with Rorem, and the “extraordinary creativity” she uncovered in the Library of Congress archives. ?We also dive into the legacy of the rom-com classic Crossing Delancey, the future of Vertical Drama in storytelling, and why art remains a vital bridge in today’s world.
?? Watch the film at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs) 2026! ?
? Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center
? When: March 25–29, 2026
?? Tickets & Info: www.amdocfilmfest.com