Oracle
the Michael Hedges documentary
COMING IN 2026
A feature documentary about the life & music of Michael Hedges
The eldest son of Midwestern musicians/educators, Michael Hedges was a young musical prodigy with an emerging talent that would take him from small-town Oklahoma to Grammy award-winning artist.
He was a once-in-a-generation force would revolutionize the acoustic guitar and inspire a generation of musicians.
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The film will include:
– Intimate interviews with Michael’s family, friends, collaborators, fans and music journalists
– A wealth of archival materials/footage (Red Rocks, Wolf Trap, A&M Studios, Billboard Live)
– Bootlegs, home movies, never-before-seen interviews and backstage moments with Michael
– Fully restored and digitally-enhanced footage from Michael’s dazzling performances.
CURRENT STATUS
More than 25 interviews have been filmed with Michael’s close friends, family, collaborators and fans. A rough cut of of the film is well underway, with more than 40 minutes of scenes for the film assembled.
The filmmakers are currently seeking executive producers, sponsors & partners to contribute the $250K in funding needed to complete production and edit a full rough cut of the film.
BEHIND THE SCENES
See updates on production & editing of the film, and get a look behind the scenes during the making of ORACLE.
Michael’s Harp Guitar ‘Darth’ at the MIM
Michael’s Knutsen Harp Guitar Arrives at the Musical Instrument Museum.
Interviewing Windham Hill Founder Will Ackerman
It was time to finally make the pilgrimage. Almost to the day of the 40th anniversary of the iconic, legendary recording sessions of Aerial Boundaries, we were heading to the tumbling, autumnal world where they took place: Windham County, Vermont – for an interview with Will Ackerman.
Behind the Scenes, Interviewing Graham Nash!
For our next-to-last interview of the year, we returned to New York City – on a spectacular autumn day in the heart of Soho, above the cobblestones that line Greene Street, for a memorable session with the great Graham Nash.
Behind the Scenes, Interviewing Man-Thing!
The next interviews filmed for ORACLE: Michael’s closest collaborator, Michael Manring, and with his friend, guitarist Michael Gulezian.
Behind the Scenes at ‘Musicarium’ in Music City!
New interviews with Andy McKee, Calum Graham, Trevor Gordon Hall, Jon Gomm, Mike Dawes, Muriel Anderson and the great Stanley Jordan.
Behind the Scenes in Michael’s Hometown of Enid, Oklahoma
This summer, ten interviews with Michael’s family members, high school band mates and childhood friends were filmed in his hometown of Enid, Oklahoma!
FILMMAKING TEAM
Mischa Hedges
Producer/Director, Editor
Mischa is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work has appeared on PBS, Discovery, Hulu and Amazon Prime. He is Michael’s eldest son.
Brendan Hedges
Producer/Director, Writer
Brendan is a writer (WGA West) and director whose work has appeared on PBS, Apple TV, Amazon Prime and GooglePlay. He is Michael’s youngest brother.
Clare Major
Director of Photography
Clare is an award-winning cinematographer specializing in hand-held, camera work. Her work has appeared on HBO, PBS, Netflix, Discovery Channel and NYTimes.
Ling Mai
Cinematographer
Ling is an award-winning cinematographer specializing in music videos and television. His work has appeared on numerous broadcast outlets.
PARTNERS & ADVISORS
TrimTab Media
Production Company
TrimTab Media is an award-winning film production company & marketing agency founded by Michael’s son, Mischa Hedges.
They produce independent documentaries and branded content for progressive clients. Their films include Of The Sea, Women’s March, Ellavut Cimirtuq, Finding Home.
Intl. Documentary Association
Fiscal Sponsor (current)
The IDA supports nonfiction filmmaking and documentary creators through grants and funding programs.
They serve as the film’s current fiscal sponsor, enabling tax-deductible contributions to ORACLE from individuals, organizations and non-profit foundations.
Stropes Foundation, Inc
Fiscal Sponsor (2021-2024)
PROJECT ADVISORS
Josh Fox
Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Louisa McCune
Journalist
Brian Malone
Emmy award-winning filmmaker
Mark Marshall
Producer, Free Willy trilogy
STORY ADVISORS
John Stropes
Music educator, a leading authority on fingerstyle guitar
Bryan Lanser
Audio engineer at Apple Inc.
Hilleary Burgess
Michael Hedges’ former manager
Michael Manring
Recording artist, musician & Michael’s closest collaborator
Jake White
Researcher & writer, Michael Hedges biography
Randy Lutge
Michael Hedges & Windham Hill Records video archivist
Become a sponsor
This film is being funded in part by Michael’s family, friends, fans, businesses, nonprofits and foundations. A multi-year project of this magnitude requires a significant investment in a highly-talented filmmaking team, extensive footage/music licensing fees, and state-of-the-art restoration of archival materials.
Sponsorship packages start at $1,000, include various benefits and are tax-deductible.
Our nonprofit 501c3 fiscal sponsor is the International Documentary Association.
Choose A Sponsorship Package
Review 2025 sponsorship levels and let us know how much you plan to contribute.
To make your contribution by paper check:
– Fill out the form to right so we can track your donation
– Make check out to:
“International Documentary Association (IDA)”
and write “Oracle Documentary 2403” in the memo
– Send check to:
International Documentary Association
Attention: Fiscal Sponsorship
3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1810
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2622
FILM SPONSORS
More than 1,000 individuals and organizations have contributed funding to make this film possible.
Official Sponsors contributing $1,000 or more are acknowledged below.
Executive Producers ($100,000+)
Seeking 2-4 sponsors or grants at this level
Associate Producers ($50,000+)
Seeking 2-4 sponsors or grants at this level
Contributing Producers ($25,000+)
Seeking 5-7 additional sponsors or grants at this level
Mischa Hedges
Ray-Yen Chang
Sergio De Acha
Oracle Donors ($10,000+)
Seeking additional sponsors or grants at this level
Graham Nash
The Harold Hamm Foundation
Jeff & Bina Titus
Kirkpatrick Foundation
Rainer Park
Magic Farmer Donors ($5,000+)
Seeking additional sponsors or grants at this level
Cynthi Stefenoni
Enid Arts Council
Jake White
Matthew King
Park Avenue Thrift
William Phillips
Phillips University Alumni Association
Rickover’s Dream Donors ($2,500+)
Bryan Owen • Calum Graham • Enid High School Class of ’72 • Jeffrey Joe • Karen Haskell • Michael Pascarello • Ray D. Carroll • Robert Randleman • William Ackerman / Imaginary Road Studios
Ragamuffin Donors ($1,000+)
Aaron Shearer Foundation • Andy McKee • Anthony & Phyllis Leocha • Arthur Goldliner • Ben Burgess • Bert Mackie • Bil King • Bryan Lanser • Bruce Howard • Carl Bennett • Chad Van Baalbergen • Chris & Amy Keeney • Christopher Sharron • D’Addario Foundation • Daniel P. DeLap • David Cook • David Taylor • Eldon James • Ethan Mayer • Graham Nash • Iliani Matisse & Anne Richards • Janet Winterrose • Joan Shinkle • Joel & Kelly Champlin • John Conover • Joseph & Shirley Rayburn • Joan & John D’Addario Foundation, Inc. • The Harp Guitar Foundation • Kemi Nakabayashi • Kenneth Chow • Lanakila Lesū • Laura Sefchik • Lillian Dignan • Mark Allen • Mark Dropkin • Mark Whidden • Martin Kretzmann • Martin Posen • Matt Guthrie DeLange • Michael “Bootz” Bootzin • Michelle Green • Mindy Rosenfeld • Nick Peters • Pazala Foundation • Anonymous • Pete Moylan • Rich & Geri Cook • Richard Campagna • Roger & Carolyn Lang • Scott & Christy Williams • Thomas Thompson • Tom Schotland • Valerio Piccolo • Veston Rowe • Ibanez Guitars • Simon Clark • Ronald E. Hammer, PhD • William Threadgill • Roxane Hreha • Michael & Luann Simon
SPECIAL THANKS
2024 Sustaining Sponsors
Ben Burgess • Daniel P. DeLap • Denny Rauen • Chris & Amy Keeney • Laura Sefchik • Lillian Dignan • Graham Nash • Jake White • Jane Tanaka • Jeffrey Joe • Joan Shinkle • John C. Tarlton and Jennifer S.F. Dearborn • Mathew King • Mark Dropkin • Rainer Park • Robert Randleman • Ryan Knowlin • Sergio De Acha • Sherri Clearlake • Steve Vai • William Threadgill • William Phillips • Phillips University Alumni Association • Michael & Luann Simon
All supporters will be acknowledged in the film’s end credits.