BLACKBEARD FILMS is dedicated to telling unforgettable stories at the edge of human experience. Over the past 15 years, our seasoned team of filmmakers and producers has worked in more than 70 countries and some of the world’s most challenging environments, spanning war zones and lawless jungles, to the high seas and the Arctic. We believe that epic and intimate go hand-in-hand. From feature-length documentaries to short-form projects and everything in between, our mission is to deliver captivating imagery and emotionally resonant storytelling that brims with heart, guts and soul.
Distribution: Canal+ (France)
Kanopy (USA)
Festival run: SXSW,
Seattle International Film Festival,
Athens International Film Festival,
IFI Documentary Film Festival,
Millenium Docs Against Gravity,
MAMIi Mumbai Film Festival,
DOC NYC and more.
See the trailer below
Our Team
Jason Motlagh (right) / Founding Director and Producer
Jason is a veteran journalist and filmmaker drawn to stories of conflict, human rights and exploration. A contributing editor at Rolling Stone, he has reported on five continents for National Geographic, Outside, TIME, and The Washington Post. He founded Blackbeard Films in 2012 and has produced and hosted documentaries for National Geographic, Al Jazeera English, SBS Dateline, Vice on Showtime, Red Bull Studios and others. His recognitions include a National Magazine Award, George Polk Award, Overseas Press Club Award, and an Emmy.
Mark Oltmanns (left) / Co-Director and Director of Photography
Mark is an award-winning filmmaker and DP devoted to crafting intimate observational documentaries. He specializes in filming immersive, cinematic vérité with a raw, gritty edge that brings audiences closer to the story. His work from the badlands of Afghanistan to the streets of Flint, Michigan has been showcased in major film festivals like SXSW and DOC NYC and broadcast on HBO, Netflix, and National Geographic among others. Recognitions include an Emmy, the Human Rights Press Award and citations from the Livingston Awards and Overseas Press Club.
