Any Problem is No Problem follows five young entrepreneurs—Brandon Tory, Chris Lee, Ryan Ouyang, Adam Levy, and Ellie Farrisi—all founders or co-founders of crypto startups, looking to solve problems in the digital space and raise money for the next part of their companies’ journey.
We sat down with Directors Alyssa Fedele and Zachary Fink to discuss their documentary, which will premiere on June 14 at DC/DOX 2025.
TRT: A film about crypto and NFTs sounds very overwhelming to the general audience due to the potentially very ‘techy’ language. What originally motivated you to shoot a film covering this complicated topic?
Alyssa Fedele: The complexity of emerging technologies was definitely on our minds as we approached this film. That’s one reason we focused on the human stories of the young founders and only introduced broad technical concepts when necessary to understand their journeys. The project was originally developed by our colleagues at Actual Films, and we saw it as a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at a tech incubator – a space that is usually off-limits to outsiders – and show what it takes to get a startup off the ground.
Zachary Fink: As filmmakers based in the Bay Area, we’re immersed in a culture shaped by tech, but we also know that the media narrative around crypto often focuses on scams and speculation. The more we learned, the more we saw another side – one rooted in the ideals of Web3: a decentralized internet not controlled by big tech, where creators can own and distribute their work, and users can protect their privacy. That vision really intrigued us, and we chose to explore it through the eyes of these founders who are building the early infrastructure for it.
TRT: This film is very much about the entrepreneurs, as it is crypto, offering really personal perspectives. Why were you drawn to these specific people and stories? How did you decide whom to follow?
Zachary Fink: We started by reviewing the 26 startup teams selected for the incubator out of 8,000 applicants. We looked for companies tackling problems that would resonate with a broad audience, like Brandon’s company, Share, which is trying to help musicians earn a living in a world dominated by streaming platforms. That gave us a way in: through real-world problems, not just abstract tech.
Alyssa Fedele: We also sought out founders who were willing to give us deep access during the high-pressure, three-month program, both in their professional and personal lives. Trust was essential. One key element to our process, which we discuss with protagonists from the start, is screening the film with them before it’s complete, and listening carefully to any concerns, if they arise. That helps create a safe space to film in during production, which is critical when you’re documenting such an intense and vulnerable period in someone’s life.
TRT: This film has very little narration or outside perspectives, rather just focusing deeply on the five subjects. Why did you choose this method of storytelling?
Alyssa Fedele: Both of us have backgrounds in visual anthropology and observational filmmaking. We believe in immersing ourselves – and the audience – deeply in our subjects’ lived experiences. That’s how we aim to understand their worldviews and share them as directly as possible, allowing the audience to make meaning from these unfolding scenes.
Zachary Fink: In this case, we wanted to understand why these young people are drawn to a space that’s often misunderstood or dismissed. Spending time inside their lives helped us move past the hype or skepticism and get to the human motivations driving their work.
TRT: This film is described as combating some of the hype and stereotypes about crypto. Since starting this project, have you noticed a shift in the narrative about crypto?
Zachary Fink: I wouldn’t say there’s been a major shift. But the continued resilience of the crypto space suggests that the underlying technology might have staying power. What’s becoming clearer now, especially as AI becomes more central to our lives, is that blockchain could have a role in securing and decentralizing the internet in the future.
TRT: I can imagine that you created this film with a larger purpose other than trying to convince audiences to invest in crypto. What are you hoping we walk away with after viewing this film?
Alyssa Fedele: For us, learning about the Web3 movement was a real eye-opener. It’s a more nuanced story than what we usually hear in the news. Our goal wasn’t to make a film that advocates for, or against, crypto, but rather to offer a window into how these entrepreneurs see the future – and to give viewers the space to consider that vision for themselves.
Interview Hosted by Sara Ciplickas
Feature Image Courtesy of LFG Productions