Sloane Klevin and Union Editorial Advance Project 'Butts: A Backstory'
The Catapult Film Fund has named five filmmakers to its 2026 cohort, each receiving $10,000 in support to advance early-stage documentary development. Among this distinguished group is filmmaker Lauren Domino, director of Butts: A Backstory, whose project stands alongside work from some of the most respected voices in nonfiction filmmaking today.
A Union Editorial development project, Butts: A Backstory is being spearheaded by Partner/Editor Sloane Klevin and marks the directorial debut of Domino, a Peabody, PGA, and Grammy Award-winning producer. The film is inspired by Heather Radke’s book Butts: A Backstory. It brings together a creative team including Executive Producer/Editor Klevin, as well as Producers Katherine LeBlond and Randy Stulberg.
“When I first read Heather’s book a few years ago, what struck me wasn’t that women struggle with their bodies - we all know that. It was understanding the why behind it: the history, the forces shaping how we see ourselves. That’s what made it feel urgent, and made me see the potential for a documentary that could really resonate,” Klevin shared.
Blending deep-dive reportage with verité storytelling, the documentary explores humanity’s complex relationship with the body through the lens of the butt, examining shifting cultural ideals and how race, power, control, and liberation shape our most personal perceptions.
The Catapult Research Fellowship supports filmmakers at a critical early stage, providing both financial backing and mentorship. The 2026 fellows will receive guidance from Academy Award-winning producer Diane Becker as they develop their projects.
For Union Editorial, the selection underscores the company’s continued expansion into original content development, with Klevin playing a key role in advancing bold, culturally resonant storytelling.
“Bringing together a Peabody and Grammy-winning talent like Lauren with a veteran editor like Sloane Klevin creates a formidable creative engine,” said LeBlond, Head of Production for Film and Television at Union. “The Catapult Fellowship's recognition validates our belief that this project isn't just a documentary - it’s a vital piece of high-level cultural storytelling that Union is proud to champion from the ground up.”
“It fully came into focus when Lauren shared her vision for the adaptation,” Klevin added. “I’m excited to collaborate with her as she develops it through the Catapult fellowship, and proud of the incredible team of women we’ve brought together to make it happen.”
The Catapult Research Fellowship marks a significant step forward for Butts: A Backstory as it moves deeper into development, supported by one of the documentary field’s most respected early-stage incubators.
CREDITS
Director/Producer: Lauren Domino
Executive Producer/Editor: Sloane Klevin
Producers: Katherine LeBlond, Randy Stulberg
Based on the Book Butts: A Backstory by: Heather Radke
Project: A Union Editorial Development Project
