EXCLUSIVE: Sylvester Stewart Jr., son of famed funk artist Sly Stone, is teaming with Leslie Small to direct a doc exploring the music, mystique, and enduring cultural impact of one of America’s most transformative artists for Winter State Entertainment.
As elusive as he was creatively talented, Sly and the Family Stone frontman Sly Stone has long been one of music’s most mysterious figures. Behind the public persona of funk pioneer and cultural icon, the man himself remained largely private, rarely granting access to his life or thoughts. The documentary will offer a rare and intimate look behind the curtain, capturing the moments, moods, and creative genius that the world has never seen — a portrait that reveals not just the legend, but the human being behind the music.
The documentary draws from more than 50 hours of never-before-seen footage, captured by Stewart Jr. and the family archive of photos and videos, offering audiences an unprecedented look into Stone’s daily life, creative spirit, and private reflections. The film chronicles the evolution of a groundbreaking musical family whose artistry helped redefine American pop culture.
From their radical racial and gender integration to their innovative fusion of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelia, Sly and the Family Stone became a force that shaped the consciousness of a generation. Their anthems — “Everyday People,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” “Dance to the Music,” “Family Affair” — became cultural lightning bolts, echoing across eras and continuing to influence artists ranging from Prince to Kendrick Lamar, The Roots, will.i.am, and beyond. The group’s accolades include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the R&B Foundation Pioneer Award, and recognition among Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
The doc will also feature new interviews with artists, collaborators, cultural historians, and those whose lives have been touched by Stone’s expansive legacy. Camille and Hamid Torabpour are producing alongside Nick Hagen, Dr. Mark Smith, Alexis De La Jara, Stewart Jr. and Small.
“At its core, this project is about understanding my dad as a person, not just a musical genius,” said Stewart Jr. “This film will have given me the rare opportunity to show the world a side of him that only family gets to see. This film is my way of telling the truth — his brilliance, his vulnerability, and the real man behind the music.”
Commented Small, “Sly and the Family Stone’s music lit my soul on fire when I was a kid — it broke barriers, united people, and shaped who I am as an artist. I always dreamed of meeting Sly, and though I never had the chance, being able to team up with Sly’s son Sylvester Jr. to bring his journey to the screen would be one of the great honors of my career. Working with Hamid and Camille — whose loyalty, integrity, and creative vision inspire me every day — makes this project even more meaningful. I couldn’t ask for better partners.”
Added Hamid and Camille Torabpour of Winter State Entertainment, “Sly Stone has inspired generations with his music, his vision, and his life. To be part of telling this extraordinary story, even in a small way, is deeply meaningful. We are grateful for the opportunity to help Sylvester Stewart Jr. share this deeply personal story. At Winter State Entertainment, we aim to bring forward the stories that resonate, challenge, and inspire — and Sly Stone’s story is one the world needs to hear.”
A 52-year-old filmmaker and lifelong Angeleno, Stewart Jr. has spent 24 years working in film and television lighting. Raised behind the scenes of Hollywood, he has been on sets since childhood, but here makes his feature directorial debut.
Most recently, Small directed Kevin Hart’s comedy special Act My Age, which just landed a Golden Globe nomination. Other recent credits include the Emmy-nominated Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart & Snoop Dog, three seasons of Hart 2 Hart, and Kevin Hart’s Reality Check. Upcoming, he also has a concert docu-film featuring Afrobeats superstars Burna Boy and Akon, as well as the documentary series Black Comedy in America.
Recently at work on the Mel Gibson border thriller Coyote, Winter State has previously produced docs on Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Roaf (ROAF), MLB icons Jim “Kitty” Kaat (Kitty to Cooperstown), Tommy John (Tommy John: The Bionic Man), Pittsburgh Steeler Mel Blount (Mel Blount: Whatever It Takes), and boxer Tommy Hearns (The Hitman: A Tommy Hearns Story), among others. Other narrative credits include Vans Warped Tour pic Summertime Dropouts, as well as the football drama Under the Stadium Lights, with Laurence Fishburne and Milo Gibson.
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