Meet Americans Bruce Roe and Phil Olsen as they prep for the World Beard and Moustache Championships in Germany, where “bearded stallions” compete for top chops at the 30-year-old event. But the real rivalry between the two is for the presidency of the World Beard and Moustache Association. Who knew facial hair clubs were so cutthroat?

Beard and Moustache Contest to follow screening. CLICK HERE to register for the BEARD AND MOUSTACHE CONTEST!

Filmmaker Q&A

Introduce yourself:
F Stone Roberts is a television producer who resides in Brooklyn, NY. He has produced content for NBC, MTV, ESPN, WE, Spike TV, MSNBC, and a variety of new media outlets. SPLITTING HAIRS is his first documentary project. He has been following the cult sport of facial hair since 2002.

He owes the success of the project to a relentless work ethic, gear "borrowed" from networks he cannot mention, a passion for the medium, Agent Ogden, Colin Oberschmidt, Jon Bulette, Jesus Christ, Steveo, Z Mann, BT, AE, KP, LB, Garra Films, his mother, his father, and The Salvation Army.

Stone would like everyone to know the beard in his headshot is nothing more than high-quality Photoshop work. He hopes you enjoy the film and encourages you NOT to get involved in beard politics.

What inspired this film?   How did you find your subjects?
This film was inspired by nothing other than the eye candy of the sport. I saw a flier advertising the 2003 World Beard and Mustache Championships with photos of the bearded elite on a bulletin board at my local post office in Tahoe City, CA. From that, I met Phil Olsen (lead character), produced a television commercial to promote his event, and eventually ended up helping him organize the first World Championship on American soil. I was amazed by the political passion of a few key American players and followed them for the next four years.

What were some of the biggest challenges/surprises?
The amount of time and patience required to tell a great story about a subculture. Also, the necessary requirement to wait passively and just let things happen.

Who are some of your favorite filmmakers?
Christopher Guest, Errol Morris, and J.J. Abrams.

What is your all time favorite documentary?
This changes weekly. Today’s favorite, A CRUDE AWAKENING.

What other projects are in the pipeline?
I am currently producing a film on the earthquake in China. There is also a TV series I am creating on dirt track racing in Kansas City, KS.

Why did you become a filmmaker?
I didn’t want to be a banker and I wasn’t talented enough musically to become a rock star.

What are some of your creative influences?
Humor, music, technology, and REAL people. Particularly, the random folks. I truly love passionate people. I am particularly fond of those who throw caution to the wind and act exactly the way they want to without worry of who is watching or judging.

Did you go to film school?
Yes. University of Colorado, Boulder. BFA 1999.

What do you shoot on?
Panasonic DVX 100 for Splitting Hairs. I tend to use the Sony Z1U now a days.

What has been the most unexpected thing to happen since taking the film on the festival circuit?
Having SILVERDOCS e-mail me and say you made it into our festival.

Why did you want to screen your film at SILVERDOCS?
Mediocrity never appealed to me. I always wanted SPLITTING HAIRDS to be a great project that everyone wanted to see. I spent a long time fighting and pushing the project to get it to that point. SILVERDOCS to me is a first-class festival. That somehow internally justifies the six years it took to make a 28-minute film.