The Creators of Final First Edition: Rich Horn & the Ninja Turtles

Christoph Gelfand, Wes Sterrs, and Jeff Griecci—filmmakers behind the dynamic short documentary Final First Edition—join us for a lively and insightful conversation about collaboration, creativity, and a deep dive into pop culture history. This trio, each with impressive individual credentials in Maine’s tight-knit film community, came together to chronicle a fascinating project: collector Rich Horn’s mission to recreate the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic, using the same techniques and even the original negatives—first printed in Biddeford, Maine nearly 40 years ago. Christoph, founder of True Life Media, Jeff, a Biddeford-based cinematographer with a passion for indie films, and Wes, the film’s director and a Belfast native, reveal how Final First Edition became a joyful exploration of fandom, nostalgia, and artistic obsession. Their camaraderie shines throughout—whether joking about their own Ninja Turtle alter egos or reflecting on the powerful lessons learned from documenting Rich’s meticulous archive. Beyond the humor and energy, this conversation highlights the unique spirit of Maine’s creative scene, where small communities foster big projects—and where teamwork transforms vision into reality. It’s a testament to friendship, shared passion, and the magic that happens when artists unite behind a common goal. Join our conversation with Christoph, Wes, and Jeff today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more inspiring stories!