Eminem’s latest project, Stans, a documentary delving into the intricate dynamics between artists and their fanbases, is set to premiere at the inaugural 2025 SXSW London Screen Festival. Directed by Emmy Award-winner Steven Leckart and co-produced by Eminem’s Shady Films alongside Hill District Media, DIGA Studios, and MTV Entertainment Studios, the film offers a deep exploration of fan culture, inspired by Eminem’s iconic 2000 track “Stan”.
The documentary features insights from Eminem’s close collaborators and fans, shedding light on the profound impact of fandom on both the artist and the audience. Paul Rosenberg and Stuart Parr of Shady Films emphasized the film’s intent to “turn the camera around and ask the audience about being fans — and in some cases, fanatics,” providing a unique perspective on the artist-fan relationship.
Stans will debut on June 2, 2025, at the SXSW London Screen Festival, which runs through June 7 in East London, with screenings at venues like the Barbican, Rich Mix, and Curzon Hoxton. Following its premiere, the documentary is slated for streaming on Paramount+ in the UK and North America later this year.
Eminem made his involvement with the film official when he publicly called on his diehard fans to come out and participate in the documentary last year.
“Stan” — which samples Dido’s “Thank You” — was the third single from The Marshall Mathers LP, which arrived in May 2000. “Stan” has become common vernacular in the music world to describe delusional and obsessed fans and their relationship with an artist, which has only been amplified with social media’s impact. The word was even been added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in the years since.
