Two sidewalk street performers get their turn in the spotlight in filmmaker Antonio G. Wagner’s short documentary, To Busk or Not to Busk. Making its premiere at the 2026 San Francisco Documentary Festival, the film highlights the heart and soul of those extremely talented, but often-overlooked, entertainers. Driven by passion and the need for self-expression, To Busk or Not to Busk offers a heartwarming look at the people who make it their mission to share their music with the world.

Sing Street

The film gives viewers a look into the lives of street musicians John Goodblood and Kevin Zi-Xiao. Both are immigrants who find their creative outlet through busking, which is another word for street performing. John Goodblood has called the streets his stage for nearly fifteen years. His voice is reminiscent of a young Bob Dylan, and his songs rival the legendary singer too. With only an acoustic guitar, his songs take on an anti-establishment tone. Kevin Zi-Xiao is newer to the scene and only turned to busking during the pandemic. He is a contemporary classical musician who creates experimental Japanese music with flutes and cellos.

In interviews, John and Kevin both speak fondly about the euphoric nature of busking and how it is a wonderful way to connect with strangers. Despite these wonderful qualities, busking comes with volatility, like harassment and financial instability. At a certain point, they must face the music and ask themselves, “Is a busking career worth it?”

Creative Expression Through Songwriting and Cinematography

In To Busk or Not to Busk, director Antonio G. Wagner creates a compelling portrait of two men struggling with balancing artistic freedom and practical ambition. The interviews he conducts are visually stylized; almost looking like footage from a 90’s MTV music video. The cinematography mirrors the creativity of its on screen subjects, capturing a similar offbeat artistic expression.

Director’s Statement

“When my father lived in Paris in 1990 for one year, he spent his free time playing guitar in the city’s metro. Beyond enjoying music, he felt compelled to share the transcendent feeling he experienced while performing with the people around him. His talking about how strangers paused and found comfort in his music left a lasting impression on me, also coming from a music background. Living in any urban city, buskers become part of everyday life, yet I feel like their artistry is underappreciated despite the emotional impact they have on the public.

This inspired me to create To Busk or Not to Busk, a documentary that explores the value of busking through the perspectives of very different immigrant musicians, John Goodblood and Kevin Zi-Xiao He. My goal was to make audiences see a street musician with the same artistic respect as an orchestral performer, while revealing the deeper meaning of artistry as both personal expression and human connection.” -Antonio G. Wagner, director

Takeaway

Although it is a rhetorical question, To Busk or Not to Busk proves that pursuing your passion has no barrier to entry. If gratification is what one is seeking, then saying yes to your dreams is worth the risk.