Subnavigation

back to all projects
Donate to Mineshaft
Donate to this project
mineshaft_still
    Mineshaft
    The Cruising Murders
    ABOUT THE PROJECT

    LOGLINE
    The untold story of the controversy surrounding the making of William Friedkin’s 1980 thriller Cruising, the fierce protests around its production, and the real life murders that inspired the film.

    SYNOPSIS
    MINESHAFT: THE CRUISING MURDERS peels back the layers of controversy surrounding the making of the 1980 thriller Cruising. Directed by William Friedkin, Cruising triggered fierce protests from the LGBTQ+ community for its portrayal of a serial killer targeting gay men in New York’s leather bars. Friedkin drew inspiration from the brutal murder of Variety reporter Addison Verrill, blurring the boundaries between cinematic fiction and real-life tragedy.

    Emmy®-winning director Jeffrey Schwarz (Vito, I Am Divine, Tab Hunter Confidential) brings his signature storytelling flair to this gripping chapter of queer history where true crime, moviemaking, and LGBTQ+ resistance collide.

    PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

    DIRECTOR Jeffrey Schwarz
    PRODUCER John Boccardo, Jeffrey Schwarz

    WEBSITE automatpictures.com

    Donate to Mineshaft

    🎬 Support independent film through The Film Collaborative

    The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers.

    Federal Tax ID: 32-0295081

    Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

    💳 Ways to Give
    • Online:
      Click the Donate button above. You can:
      • Use your PayPal account, or
      • Check out as a guest with your debit/credit card — no PayPal account required.
    • ACH or Wire
      Email us for instructions.
    • Check
      Checks are accepted, but for time and security reasons, electronic donations are preferred when possible.
      Check donation instructions are here.
    • Stock
      Donating appreciated stock can increase your impact by up to 20%.
      Learn more about advantages of stock donations here.
      Email us for instructions.
    • Donor-Advised Funds (DAF):
      Instructions for donating from a DAF are here.
    📈 Maximize Your Gift
    • Many employers offer matching gifts, doubling or even tripling your donation. Some match contributions up to a year after they’re made.
    • When donating via PayPal, consider covering the small processing fee to make the most of your gift toward the project.
    📄 Tax Receipts
    • In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts are issued for the amount TFC receives after payment processor fees are deducted.
    • PDF tax receipts are emailed within 30 days of your online donation.
    • The “receipt” immediately sent by PayPal is only a payment confirmation — it is not your tax receipt.

    Thank you for helping bring powerful independent films to life.

    ID: 119