Originally premiering at last years Tribeca Festival,Mermanchronicles the life and times of Andre Chambers, a 58 year-old Black queer man otherwise known Merman, watching as he speaks about his life as an emergency nurse, leather enthusiast title-holder, and civil rights activist.
Shot in Palm Springs over the course of a day, the film combining the mediums of digital film, 2D and 3D animation, and artificially-generated animation was directed, produced and edited by Hampton, who also penned the score.
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Pic was selected by the Los Angeles Times as the first film to debut this seasons new slate ofShort Docs, its series of docu shorts reflecting a West Coast perspective from diverse, acclaimed and emerging filmmakers who break with convention to present undiscovered stories that challenge, move and inspire audiences.
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Sterling Hampton IVJana Akkari
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Previously, Hampton was in Sundance with the docu shortKylie, about a Black ballerina in South Los Angeles, which was also selected forShort Docs.
A self-taught filmmaker and composer, and frequent collaborator with will.i.am, hes also directed, edited and shot music videos for the Black Eyed Peas and will.i.ams solo projects.
In addition to co-directing the Black Eyed Peas and Jennifer Hudsons music video for The Love, hes worked on campaigns for will.i.ams partnership with Mercedes-AMG, and directed and photographed commercial content in support of will.i.ams partnership with Honeywell to launch the Xupermask face mask.

Hampton launched his production company COTAM (Clash of The Artistic Minds), furthering his pursuits in feature films, docu-style branded content, music and fashion, in 2022.