TOWNIE
Townie is a documentary-style stand-up film that weaves live performance with reflective storytelling from legendary Boston comedian Steve Sweeney. The film brings together the talents of Executive Producer Peter Farrelly, Director Ian Barrett, and Sweeney himself to create a vivid, unforgettable portrait of a neighborhood and the comic it shaped.
Through humor, memory, and unfiltered honesty, Sweeney brings audiences inside the Charlestown, MA of his youth—a working-class community defined by loyalty, character, and change. As he revisits the people and places that formed his iconic sardonic humor, Townie becomes more than a comedy special; it’s a heartfelt exploration of identity, belonging, and what it means to be from somewhere.
It’s this authentic, sharply observed approach to storytelling that caught the eye of Oscar-winner Peter Farrelly, who signed on to help guide the film to its final form—ultimately calling Townie an “important story.”
Deeply funny and wildly thoughtful, Townie blends sharp observational comedy with intimate, lived-in reflections to explore how place makes us, breaks us, and stays with us long after we leave.
About Steve Sweeney
Steve Sweeney is a Boston-born stand-up comedian whose unmistakable accent, character voices, and sharp observational wit have made him a New England staple for over four decades.
A veteran of the legendary Ding-Ho comedy scene, he has toured nationally, headlined major clubs, and appeared in films such as Me, Myself & Irene and There’s Something About Mary. His humor blends local flavor with universal truths—a voice captured at its most authentic in Townie—a style that has inspired a generation of comedians.
Comedy icon Steven Wright's view of the film was poignant: "Absolutely brilliant, hilarious, emotional, and touching. I loved it! Steve Sweeney is amazing."
About The Director
Ian Barrett, Director of Townie, brings more than twenty-five years of experience in documentary, broadcast, and branded content to the project.
With a filmmaking style born from the chaos and charisma of Boston’s Active Rock scene, Ian blends grit, humor, and honesty like no one else. He’s spent decades turning real life into unforgettable visuals—from his cult-classic Real Rock TV to the bold brand stories he creates at MediaBoss.
In Townie, Ian elevates Steve Sweeney’s stand-up into a cinematic, lived-in exploration of what it means to come from somewhere—and why it never leaves you.
