By: Daniel P’Lopez
Photos by: Paramount Pictures
Filmmaker Anthony Bawn has been building his creative path for years, driven by a passion that began long before Hollywood. Born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, Bawn said he knew as early as second grade that cinema was where he belonged. While his mother once hoped he would become a surgeon, Bawn chose a different route, following his artistic instincts all the way to Los Angeles in 2013, where he began working more seriously in film production.
That journey has now led to Almost Us, Bawn’s latest project, a film that reflects both his storytelling interests and his commitment to narratives that deserve more attention. Bawn, who writes, produces and directs his own films, said he is especially drawn to telling stories centered on people of color and communities that are often overlooked by mainstream entertainment. His first film, As I Am, set the tone for the kind of work he continues to pursue.
In Almost Us, Bawn also appears on screen as Jason Cooper, alongside a cast that includes Isaiah Ware as Marcus, Haley McPike as Lisa, Lydia Corbin as Aunt Gloria, and Shannon D. Woods as Antoine. Set in Phoenix, Arizona, the film centers on two opposing forces: one character fighting to preserve a legacy built by his mother, and another trying to tear it down for profit. The premise gives the film an emotional and human core, something Bawn clearly values in his work.
Though some viewers may notice spiritual undertones in his films, Bawn explained that he does not create from a strictly religious point of view. Instead, he approaches storytelling from a more personal spiritual perspective, without tying himself to any one denomination. That openness seems to carry into his filmmaking as well, allowing his stories to speak broadly to themes of struggle, identity, love and loss.
When asked what keeps him going outside of work, Bawn described a life filled with simple pleasures: traveling, eating, cooking and enjoying time with the person who has shared his life for two decades. That grounded side of him seems to echo in the way his cast speaks about him, not just as a filmmaker, but as a person.
For Isaiah Ware, Almost Us marked an unexpected introduction to acting. Originally meant to appear only in a cameo, Ware ended up taking on a larger role after production obstacles shifted plans. Having never acted before, he admitted the experience was completely new territory, but said Bawn helped guide him through it with patience and support. Ware described both Bawn and the cast as encouraging and welcoming, giving him the confidence to do his best in an unfamiliar environment.
Haley McPike, who landed her role after auditioning through her agent, said she had already wanted to work with Bawn after knowing of his earlier project Scottsdale. She praised his professionalism, especially in the face of challenges during filming, and said the cast and crew created a strong and positive working environment.
Lydia Corbett, a returning collaborator, offered perhaps one of the clearest pictures of Bawn’s range on set. She described him as a true jack-of-all-trades, someone deeply involved in every layer of production, from writing and producing to camera, sound and props. Watching him work, she said, is both fascinating and inspiring. Corbett also emphasized one of the things she values most about Bawn: his willingness to give opportunities to people who may not otherwise have them.
That sense of generosity came up again when cast member Shannon Woods reflected on his experience. Woods said Bawn has “a really big heart,” adding that in a time when many people no longer humanize each other, Bawn brings a needed sense of humanity to his work. It is a quality Woods believes is missing from much of today’s media, and one that makes Bawn’s films stand out.
Bawn is not slowing down anytime soon. He revealed that he has already completed another film, After Hours, shot in Arizona and notable for being his first feature to use an AI actor. He is also working on a television project titled The Great Room. As for where audiences can find his work, Bawn pointed viewers to his platform, Watch VIM, available online, through a mobile app, and on television apps as well.
If Almost Us is any indication, Anthony Bawn is continuing to carve out a space for stories that are intimate, socially aware and deeply human. With a cast that clearly respects him and a growing body of work behind him, Bawn is proving that independent filmmaking can still be personal, purposeful and full of heart.
@Anthonybawn