Tell me the backstory: Meet Jeff Zimbalist, the filmmaker behind Skywalkers: A Love Story

What was your favorite part about filming the movie?

Of course, I loved the adrenaline rush of climbing a building tower or escaping, but the most rewarding part was the creative sessions with the two leads and my producing partner Maria, where we processed the rollercoaster of love, figured out the psychology behind their decisions, they helped me understand fear and trust, and we helped them.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when Skywalker?

Vertigo. Those roofs are really high and really scary and I’m getting old! Seriously, safety was our number one concern and we are relieved that we made it through without anyone getting hurt (seriously anyway) or arrested (at least the crew).

How do you want people to feel after watching your film?

For those in love: They want to rekindle their appreciation for each other. For those seeking love: They want to be ready to break through the barriers and let the world in. And for those avoiding love: They want to be inspired to be compassionate towards others, to trust others, to give others a chance and to allow them to give you a chance.

Tell us why and how you got into filmmaking.

It perfectly combined my deepest passions: immersing myself in worlds very different from my own, merging all art forms into one, and being a large-scale tool to move society in a better direction.

If you weren’t a filmmaker, what would you do?

Musician or entrepreneur, or music entrepreneur, or entrepreneurial musician. Or novelist.

What should all filmmakers keep in mind to become better cinematic storytellers?

Your crew and your subjects are your family, treat them like that. That’s a fundamental moral and the room will thrive creatively.

Films are lasting artistic legacies. What do you want to say with your films?

Our full potential in life and love lies on the other side of our greatest fear.