Private Project

Driven By Angels

DCP Available

A documentary about speed, loss, and the angels that keep us moving.

🚀 At 62 years old, Vaughn Shafer comes out of retirement in a bold attempt to reclaim his title as the fastest man on a motorized skateboard. What begins as a comeback story quickly spirals into a powerful journey of perseverance as his crew battles setbacks at the track and the loss of multiple loved ones.

More than a film about breaking speed records, Driven By Angels celebrates resilience, friendship, and the people who continue to inspire us long after they're gone. We look forward to sharing this journey with audiences and communities around the world.

🏆 Legacy Award – DocUtah
🏆 Audience Choice Award – Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
🏆 Best Editing – Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema

  • Brett Buescher
    Director
    Co-Founder Street Kingpins Web Series
  • Nick Costello
    Director
  • Nick Costello
    Producer
  • Brett Buescher
    Producer
    Co-Founder Street Kingpins Skateboard App
  • Hart Houston
    Story Support and Director of Interviews
  • Seth Beckton
    Cinematography
  • Brett Buescher
    Cinematography
  • Vaughn Shafer
    Key Cast
    "The Daredevil"
  • Nick Costello
    Key Cast
    "The Co-Consspirator"
  • Brett Buescher
    Key Cast
  • Hart Houston
    Key Cast
    "The Observer"
  • Louis Buescher
    Key Cast
    "The Mentor"
  • Travis Tripp
    Key Cast
    "The Rival/Friend"
  • Brett Buescher
    Writer
  • Hart Houston
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 17 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 19, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Canon EOS C70, GH6, DJI Mavic 4
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Available
  • DOCUTAH International Film Festival
    St. George
    United States
    February 26, 2026
    Utah
    Legacy Award
  • Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
    IDYLLWILD
    United States
    March 3, 2026
    Ambassador's Award, Audience Choice Award, Best Editing, Vanguard Best Director, Vanguard Best Cinematography
  • Beloit International Film Festival
    Beloit, Wisconsin
    United States
    March 25, 2026
    Wisconsin
Director Biography - Brett Buescher, Nick Costello

🎥 Brett Buescher is a filmmaker, editor, and storyteller whose work blends immersive filmmaking with bold, cinematic storytelling. He takes pride in delivering a full range of emotion throughout the viewing experience. Rooted in skateboarding culture and action sports, Brett developed his visual style documenting underground skate crews and building a following through his @StreetKingpins skateboard app.

Brett’s best work comes to life alongside his brother-like director & producer, Nick Costello. Nick is a small man with enormous ambition and ideas. He complements Brett’s more grounded approach, and together they share a passion for shining light on extraordinary individuals. Nick brings an energy that can disarm anyone, a grin that sparks connection, and a rare ability to bring out the inner child in everyone he meets.

That energy proved invaluable during the filming of Driven By Angels as the team explored the contrasts in Vaughn’s life, from a rising Hollywood stuntman to an aging daredevil still determined to chase meaning at an age when most are applying for social security.
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The film was created in collaboration with secondary director Hart Houston and cinematographer Seth Becton.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I thought I was making a film about a man trying to outrun Father Time. Vaughn Shafer believed there was one more impossible dream worth chasing. But as life unfolded around us, the story revealed itself to be about something much deeper. It showed how loss changes us, and how the people we've lost never truly stop moving us forward.
During filming, my father, Louis Buescher, passed away. He had helped build the very board Vaughn rides, and from that moment, the film took on an entirely new meaning. It was no longer just about adrenaline and aging, it became a way to honor those we'd lost and the strength they continue to give us.
That's why the title changed from Fountain of Youth to Driven By Angels. I hope audiences leave inspired not only by Vaughn's achievement, but by the people who continue to drive each of us forward.