Big, Hairy & On Camera

Filmmaker Andy Langdon has never shied away from the truth—especially when it’s large, bearded, and wrapped in a leather harness. His new documentary-in-the-making, Bears, is a deeply personal project born from years of admiration, curiosity, and unapologetic love for the bear community—those big, bold, hirsute men who are finally getting the screen time they deserve.

Langdon grew up in the small town of Plymouth, Indiana, doing what many closeted queer kids do: trying to be perfect. Behind the overachiever façade was a kid hiding both his sexuality and a secret preference for bigger, older, hairier men—what the LGBTQ world lovingly calls “bears.” “I developed crushes on priests, teachers, and even fictional dads,” Andy admits with a grin. “There was a time I was half in love with Kevin James.” Stars—they’re just like us.

A Chaser’s Journey to the Heart of Bear Culture

It wasn’t until he moved to Los Angeles for film school that Andy began to explore his identity openly. The kicker? His own older brother came out to him first. “It was like the universe said, ‘Honey, you can exhale now.’” Langdon came out the same night and began the journey that led him here—to creating a film love letter to the very community that embraced him.

Andy identifies as a chaser—someone who is into bears—but don’t mistake that for being on the sidelines. He’s been in the trenches of bear events from Bearracuda to Provincetown Bear Week, finding both community and inspiration in the joyful, sex-positive chaos. “It’s a magical world, honestly. Growlr was like a queer Narnia,” he laughs.

The documentary Bears, currently in production under his company Good Pictures, boasts an impressive lineup: award-winning producer Kourtney Gleason, Emmy-nominated exec Jonathan Buss, casting powerhouse Jeffrey Marx, and editor Nathan Orloff (yes, from John Wick 4). And if that crew wasn’t already too hot to handle, Andy’s bringing receipts—stories, histories, and the heartbeat of a community rarely given mainstream attention.

Why Bears Matters to the Queer World

While Bears promises plenty of eye candy and party footage (thank you, IBC Palm Springs), it’s also a deep dive into the emotional and historical layers of the bear world. From its roots in 1980s San Francisco to its explosive growth through internet forums and bar culture, the film tackles the nuance of a subculture that’s often flattened by stereotypes.

Langdon says the early bear movement’s ties to the AIDS crisis gave him pause. “There’s an intimacy and strength in this community that’s impossible to fake. It was born from love, resilience, and the need to be seen.” He hopes the film doesn’t just entertain, but educates—especially queer folks who may not feel at home in the gym-toned, twink-obsessed mainstream.

His take? “There is no straight-world equivalent to the bear community. It’s queer, it’s radical, and it’s soft in all the right places.”

Langdon recently proposed to his fiancé (yes, love is real!), and between wedding plans and post-production, his calendar is looking fuller than a jockstrap at Bear Week. But he’s not slowing down. “This doc is for the community that changed my life. I just want to give something back.”

The Bear Future Is Big and Bright

Beyond celebrating beefy bodies and thick beards, Bears challenges viewers to rethink beauty, masculinity, and belonging. In a media landscape that still pushes cookie-cutter queer identities, this documentary shouts out the many ways LGBTQ lives are full, messy, and glorious. “My hope is that someone watches this and says, ‘Oh wow, there’s a place for me too,’” Andy says.

Let’s be real: it’s about damn time the bears got their moment.