Intermediacy: The Life of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld

Directed by: Alex Yakacki

Stage:
- Post Production
Location:
- Germany
Updated: October 3, 2026
Project Type:
- Feature
Project Style:
- Historical,
- Hybrid
Theme Subject:

Logline

In 1896, Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld championed a radical idea sexual and gender diversity is natural, infinite, and timeless. As fascist ideologies that destroyed his life's work find new momentum, INTERMEDIACY explores his legacy of resistance and joy, alive in queer Berlin today.

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Synopsis

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At the center of INTERMEDIACY is Jewish, German physician Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, “The Einstein of Sex.” As one of the creators of the field of sexology, he challenged the rigid binaries that shaped his own life as a gay man. In 1896, in Berlin, Hirschfeld published one of the first public defenses of homosexuality, advancing the radical idea that sexual orientation exists on a continuum with infinite variation. A decade later, he expanded his "theory of intermediacy" to gender, arguing that every human is a unique mix of masculinity and femininity. In 1910 he wrote, "The sex of a person lies more in the mind than in the body, more in the brain than in the genitals."

The film is structured in eight chapters, each with three connected elements: historical sequences drawing from interviews with scholars of queer history and theory, and featuring a mix archival materials, animation, and creative b-roll; stylized drag performances in which drag artist Zero Pilnik embodies Hirschfeld, channeling his presence as a bridge across time; and personal profiles of contemporary Berliners grounding history in lived experience today, a century later. Their profiles explore queerness in Berlin as it relates to nature, media, knowledge, nightlife, sexuality, organizing, mental health, and politics.

In one chapter, we follow Hirschfeld’s tireless campaign to persuade the German parliament to repeal Paragraph 175, the law criminalizing male homosexuality. From there, the film shifts to Tessa Ganserer, Germany’s first openly transgender member of parliament, who reflects on how Hirschfeld’s legacy informs her own commitment to advancing equal rights amid rising political hostility.

In another chapter, we highlight the legendary nightlife of Weimar Berlin and Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Science. Opened in 1919, the Institute was a radical hybrid of a research center, clinic, archive, and community space. The film then moves to Eddy Entropy, nightlife performer and creative director of Tipsy Bear, who notes a continuation of Hirschfeld’s belief in social connection as a form of care in her work.

As the Nazis rose to power in the early 1930s, Hirschfeld went on a world lecture tour. While abroad, he was warned not to come home. In exile, he wrote his final book, “Racism,” expanding his theory of natural diversity once more. He declared race a social construct used to categorize, marginalize, and dominate.

In 1933, his Institute was destroyed and his library/archive burned in one of the first, most infamous book burnings. His ideas survived, most notably through Harry Benjamin and Alfred Kinsey, but with his name and explicitly queer framework erased.

INTERMEDIACY draws parallels between Weimar-era Germany and today's resurgent fascism - an urgent warning about the fragility of progress. At its core, this film creates a dialogue across a century of queer life in Berlin, exploring how queer people across time resist erasure, find identity, and build community while living under threat.

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Background

My personal journey seeking gender-affirming care led me to discover Magnus Hirschfeld’s work, which became a lifeline during a time of deep uncertainty. Realizing that no English-language documentary about Hirschfeld existed, I felt compelled to bring his legacy to life with INTERMEDIACY as a beacon of perspective and resilience for others.

My guiding principle - à la Reba McEntire - is to live with a backbone, a funny bone, and a wishbone. This ethos drives me to

...

My guiding principle - à la Reba McEntire - is to live with a backbone, a funny bone, and a wishbone. This ethos drives me to approach filmmaking with honesty and determination while infusing this work with joy, even while navigating challenging realities.

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Team

Alex Yakacki

Director

Team

Alex Yakacki

Director

I am a filmmaker, producer, and editor with over a decade of experience exploring the intersections of history, culture, and identity through video. Most recently, I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to develop and direct my debut feature documentary, INTERMEDIACY: THE LIFE OF DR. MAGNUS HIRSCHFELD, which uncovers the origins of modern, Western queer identity and traces its enduring influence in Berlin today. Working with Vox Media, McGee Media, and A+E Networks, among others, my career spans the worlds of editorial media, non-profit, and broadcast television. I have created over 100 short documentaries, promo spots, and explainer videos viewed by millions, with a particular focus spotlighting extraordinary women, LGBTQIA+ folks, and Black Americans. I also serve as Outreach Coordinator for Out on Film festival, fostering connections that elevate queer cinema and community.

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Marc Smolowitz

Producer - 13th Gen Films

Team

Marc Smolowitz

Producer - 13th Gen Films

Marc Smolowitz is a multi-award-winning director, producer, executive producer, and consulting producer who has been significantly involved in over 50 successful independent films. The combined footprint of his works has touched 250+ film festivals & markets on 5 continents, yielding substantial worldwide sales to theatrical, television, and VOD outlets, notable box office receipts, and numerous awards and nominations. His credits include films that have screened at top-tier festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, Venice, Tribeca, Locarno, SXSW, Chicago, Palm Springs, SF FILM, AFI DOCS, IDFA, DOC NYC, CPH: DOX, Tokyo, Melbourne, Viennale, Jerusalem, among others. In 2009, Marc founded 13th Gen, a San Francisco-based boutique entertainment company that works with a dynamic range of independent film partners globally to oversee the financing, production, post-production, marketing, sales, and distribution efforts of a vibrant portfolio of films and filmmakers. With talent development as its focus, the company is typically involved in some 10-15 projects concurrently and has successfully advanced Marc's career-long commitment to powerful social issue filmmaking across all genres. In 2016, he received one of the prestigious Gotham Fellowships to attend the Cannes Film Festival's Producers Network marking him as one of the USA's most influential independent film producers.

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Sonja Klümper + Paula Alamillo Rodriguez

Producers (Germany)

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Sonja Klümper + Paula Alamillo Rodriguez

Producers (Germany)

The Berlin-based production company AMARD BIRD Films, founded in 2014 by Paula Alamillo Rodriguez and Sonja Klümper, specializes in supporting directors who offer a unique perspective on social issues and who question and reflect on social structures in their films.

From the very beginning, they have set standards in the field of “safe sets” and, since 2017, have been offering annual workshops - including as part of the Berlinale Talents program - to promote safe production environments. As experts in intimacy coordination, they provide practical solutions and a deep understanding of respectful work environments.

To date, they have co-produced nine feature films and two short films; five of these premiered at the Berlinale, and their short film BLED OUT won the National Gallery Award. In February 2025, their feature film THE VISUAL FEMINIST MANIFESTO won the YOUTH AWARD at the IFFR Rotterdam.

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Jennifer H. Swann

Co-Producer

Team

Jennifer H. Swann

Co-Producer

Jennifer Swann has spent close to 30 years as a professional writer and software interface designer, both in the public and private sector, running her own companies. She loves problem solving as much as she loves developing and implementing worlds both on paper and on screens. She holds degrees from NYU, Columbia University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has called NYC home for the past 25+ years and has also lived in Myanmar, the UK, and South Africa.

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Budget

This section includes information about this project.

Cinema editing camera production independent director visual visual journey. Creative impact editing screenplay festival festival project creative team visual independent camera team award.

Grants & Awards

2023 Fulbright Program Research/Study Grant
2024 Seed&Spark Crowdfunding Campaign
2025 Facialteam Foundation Trans Legacy Fund (Ongoing)

Rights

This section includes information about this project.

Doc impact narrative film production film award creative narrative. Visual editing impact team team independent cinema cinema producer.

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Intermediacy: The Life of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld

Logline

Clips

Team

Alex Yakacki

Alex Yakacki

Marc Smolowitz

Marc Smolowitz

Sonja Klümper + Paula Alamillo Rodriguez

Sonja Klümper + Paula Alamillo Rodriguez

Jennifer H. Swann

Jennifer H. Swann

Budget

Grants & Awards

Rights

Our Ask