Leslie Iwerks and Kevin Feige. Photo: Mike TaingDisney's new documentary goes behind the scenes of a strategy the company has spent decades perfecting — translating its films for theme parks.Why it matters: That business is becoming even more important to Disney as it aims to build higher-margin flywheels, just as consumer demand for in-person experiences is booming."We have so many choices at our fingertips in the world, technologically with media and social media," director Leslie Iwerks tells Axios. "But I think what's important is that you can get away from all that, and you can step into a world that is wondrous."Zoom in: "Disney Worldbuilders" is Iwerks' latest deep dive into Disney's creative history, following projects including "The Pixar Story," "The Imagineering Story" and "Disneyland Handcrafted."For the documentary, Iwerks interviewed "Avatar" director James Cameron, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, "The Mandalorian" creator Jon Favreau, Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter and "Frozen" filmmaker Jennifer Lee. Iwerks also interviewed Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro and his predecessor Bob Iger. Across those conversations, she says she learned that authenticity and detail are key to making those experiences work."At the end of the day, it has to be a believable world," Iwerks says. "As Jon Favreau says certainly in the world of Star Wars, it has history. It has it has texture. It has layers to it."Yes, but: Not every movie lends itself to a theme park attraction."I don't think every story can be a world, and I don't think every story can be an attraction," Iwerks says. "I think where it really starts is creating something on film that feels like an experience."Iwerks pointed to the door-vault sequence from the 2001 film "Monsters, Inc." as a fun, adventurous scene that naturally translates to a ride, which Disney is now building as a suspended roller coaster.The big picture: More companies are trying to turn audiences into active participants, enticing them to spend their time and money in person. Disney has been pursuing that strategy for decades.Iwerks says one of her biggest surprises making the documentary was discovering that the creators she interviewed were Disney park fans long before they were making movies for the company."They would always reflect back on how Disneyland or the experiences of these parks got them through hard times or inspired them," Iwerks says. "It was a seed to their creative inspiration."Fun fact: Iwerks' connection to Disney is also personal.Her grandfather, Ub Iwerks, co-created Mickey Mouse, and her father, Don Iwerks, was a camera technician and inventor at Walt Disney Studios. What's next: "Disney Worldbuilders" premieres Aug. 16 at fan convention D23 before streaming on Disney+ Aug. 20.