We’re proud to say that we’re independent filmmakers. We independently produced the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary. That is, we didn’t have any financial support from the film studios or TV networks in making the film. Nor did we receive any documentary grants. So we had a very small budget and limited resources to accomplish this extremely ambitious film project.
Because we believe in the importance of the project, we self-funded most of it, despite not having deep pockets. That is not to say that we didn’t have any help. While the idea of a solo filmmaker fighting against the system to make a film is romantic, independent filmmakers are highly dependent on others to create one. We’re deeply grateful to our documentary subjects, crew, fiscal sponsor, donors, and supporters.
Because we envisioned “Craft of Speed” as an expansive multimedia project, we’re also independently publishing a photography book in addition to having produced the feature documentary. We’re not working with a big publisher. Instead, we’re publishing it under our own new imprint—Humanist Films X Igawa Design. Which means that we’re working with a tiny budget and very little resources, again.
The trade-off for being independent is creative control. Like retaining final cut of our film, we have total creative control of our photography book. Our goal is to create an exceptional photography book to document MOONEYES’ important history that aspires to the level of art. We also strive to offer MOONEYES fans not just a beautiful documentary photography book but more so a rich experience that invites revisiting.
Independent filmmaking and publishing are extremely challenging. It’s not for the faint of heart or light of wallet. But it’s worth it to tell the stories that inspire you—like the incredible story of MOONEYES. Powerful stories like this are often the ones that the film studios and TV networks won’t produce or simply can't.
To pre-order the “Craft of Speed” Photography Book:
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook
To attend the CineMakina: “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Documentary Screening, presented by Makina Drivers Club, on Saturday, 11/8/2025, at Hagerty Garage + Social in Van Nuys, California:
https://craftofspeed.eventive.org/welcome