Biography
Celebrated filmmaker and writer, Susan Polis Schutz, is a force in socially conscious filmmaking. Her mission is to shine light on important current topics through honest, vulnerable and impactful storytelling.
Susan’s latest film, Grandma Stand (2026), focuses on a lemonade-like stand, that pops up periodically in Central Park, New York City. It is a place where anyone can find emotional comfort from talking to an impartial grandma. This documentary shows twenty diverse people, ranging in ages from ten to eighty-one, candidly and vulnerably share their feelings. After talking to a grandma, a well-known screenwriter said, "Just a little love, a little talking. She's speaking to my soul." "I have a problem with boundaries," said a recent college graduate. "I am anxious about my future," said another. "I have too much free time on my hands," said a recently retired lawyer. These relatable discussions give us profound insights into our own lives and asks incisive questions about communication and our modern world.
Susan and her production company IronZeal Films, Inc. have made ten culturally, impactful films since 2007, and her films have aired on public television stations throughout the United States and other stations worldwide. Her first release, Anyone and Everyone (2007), featured the coming-out stories of gay children and their parents. It was inspired by Susan and Stephen Schutz’s own son, Jared Polis, who is the Governor of Colorado, and the first openly gay governor. From there, Susan went on to tackle a series of pertinent issues including love versus hate, anxiety, aging and depression.
Susan is a two-time Christopher Award winner for work that "affirms the highest values of the human spirit" for her films Bridging Divides: Sharing Heartbeats (2024) and The Homeless Chorus Speaks (2018).
Susan is also a thriving poet, entrepreneur and bestselling author of To My Daughter with Love on the Important Things in Life which has sold approximately two million copies. Schutz along with her husband, Stephen Schutz, founded Blue Mountain Arts, a popular publisher known for its distinctive greeting cards, gifts and poetry books. Susan’s poetry has been published in over 435 million greeting cards worldwide.
Susan has always been a women’s rights activist fighting for gender equality. Through her films and writings Susan seeks the truth that affects us all. She is proud to share her tremendous accomplishments with her loving husband, her children and grandchildren.
