White Horse Pictures

Last updated
White Horse Pictures
Industry
  • Documentary
  • Film
  • Television
Founded2014;11 years ago (2014)
Headquarters
Beverly Hills, California
Key people
  • Nigel Sinclair (Non-Executive chairman)
  • Nicholas Ferrall (Chairman & CEO)
  • Jeanne Elfant Festa (Co-President)
  • Cassidy Hartmann (Co-President)
Website www.whitehorsepics.com

White Horse Pictures is an American film, documentary and television production company founded in 2014.

Contents

The company is run by four partners and producers, Nigel Sinclair, Nicholas Ferrall, Jeanne Elfant Festa and Cassidy Hartmann.

History

White Horse Pictures was founded in 2014 by Nigel Sinclair alongside longtime business partner Guy East with partners Nicholas Ferrall, Jeanne Elfant Festa and Cassidy Hartmann. [1] Sinclair's previous documentaries had included Martin Scorsese’s, George Harrison: Living in the Material World which won two Emmy Awards and was nominated for a BAFTA, the Grammy Award-winning No Direction Home: Bob Dylan, the Academy Award-winning Undefeated and the Grammy Award-winning Foo Fighters: Back and Forth . [2]

White Horse Pictures' first documentary, A Faster Horse , directed by David Gelb, was released in 2015. [3]

In 2016, the team produced and sold worldwide The Beatles: Eight Days a Week , directed by Ron Howard and written by Mark Monroe, which won a Grammy for Best Music Film and multiple Emmy Awards. The film was Hulu's first documentary acquisition. [4] [5]

White Horse Pictures subsequently produced The Apollo directed by Roger Ross Williams – which opened the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019 to overwhelming critical acclaim – where upon release on HBO the film was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Documentary. [6] The Apollo won Outstanding Documentary at the 72nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. [7]

Also in 2019 was Pavarotti , directed by Ron Howard and written by Mark Monroe, which was sold to CBS Films and grossed $8,083,942, becoming one of the top 20 highest-grossing (domestic) concert films of all time. [8] [9] [10]

In 2020, White Horse Pictures produced The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart on HBO, directed by Frank Marshall and written by Mark Monroe where it received critical acclaim and nominations for six Emmy Awards including Outstanding Documentary, winning one. [11]

White Horse Pictures produced Lucy and Desi , directed and produced by Amy Poehler in her documentary directorial debut and written by Mark Monroe, on Amazon Prime Video where it received critical acclaim and was nominated for six Emmy Awards, winning two. [12] The 74th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony represented the third year in a row White Horse Pictures produced a documentary nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary. [13]

In 2024, White Horse Pictures produced the authorized documentary The Beach Boys , directed and produced by Frank Marshall, written by Mark Monroe and distributed by Disney. [14] That same year, White Horse Pictures also released the Peabody Award-winning docuseries Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A. directed and produced by Jamila Wignot about the rise and fall of Stax Records. [15] Both received positive reviews and nominations at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, with The Beach Boys winning for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program (Single or Multi-Camera). [16]

The following year, White Horse Pictures co-produced with Paradine Productions a six-part Sky Studios documentary series David Frost Vs, anchored around interviews with journalist and television host David Frost. David Frost Vs aired in the UK in February 2025 and was acquired by MSNBC Films for the US, where it aired in April 2025. [17] White Horse Pictures produced a documentary about the ventriloquist and children's entertainer Shari Lewis and her famous puppet, Lamb Chop, Shari & Lamb Chop , directed Lisa D'Apolito. The film debuted at Doc NYC and the North American distribution rights were acquired by Kino Lorber, who began releasing the film in limited theatrical release in July 2025. [18]

White Horse Pictures is the sales agent on a documentary commissioned by CBC about the Lilith Fair festival, Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery , directed by Ally Pankiw and produced by Dan Levy. The film was acquired by ABC News Studios, and is slated to have its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, followed by a release on CBC in Canada on September 17, with Hulu & Disney+ in the US and Disney+ internationally on September 21. [19] [20] [21]

Recently, it was announced that White Horse Pictures is producing, alongside The Kennedy/Marshall Company, an upcoming authorized Apple TV+ documentary on Fleetwood Mac, directed and produced by Frank Marshall and written by Mark Monroe. [22] White Horse Pictures has recently produced a documentary on keyboardist, singer and songwriter Billy Preston, Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It directed by Paris Barclay which debuted at SXSW; and an upcoming documentary on beloved actor Gene Wilder directed by Chris Smith. [23] [24] [25]

Filmography

Documentary

YearFilmDirectorDistributor
2015 A Faster Horse David Gelb FilmRise
2016 The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years Ron Howard Hulu
2019 The Apollo Roger Ross Williams HBO
Pavarotti Ron Howard CBS Films
2020 The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart Frank Marshall HBO
2022 Lucy and Desi Amy Poehler Amazon Prime Video
2024 The Beach Boys Frank Marshall Disney+
2025 Shari & Lamb Chop Lisa D'Apolito Kino Lorber
Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery Ally Pankiw ABC News Studios, CBC, Hulu

Television

YearProgramDirectorDistributor
2024 Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. Jamila Wignot HBO
2025David Frost VsLiz Mermin, Francis Longhurst, Marion Milne, Matthew Hill, Tom McCarthy Sky
MSNBC

Awards

Emmy Awards

Programs produced by White Horse Pictures partners have won eight Emmy Awards from 21 nominations. Below is a list of selected Emmy nominations by White Horse Pictures original programming. [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

(Wins Bolded)

CategoryNominations
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program
Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program
Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program
Outstanding Sound Editing for Non-Fiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera)
Outstanding Sound Mixing for Non-Fiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera)
Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score)

Academy Awards

YearCeremonyCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2021 92nd Academy Awards Documentary Feature The Apollo Shortlist [31]
Live Action ShortRefugeeShortlist

Grammy Awards

YearCeremonyCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2017 59th Grammy Awards Best Music Film The Beatles: Eight Days a Week Won [26]

Peabody Awards

YearCeremonyCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2023 83rd Peabody Awards Documentary Lucy and Desi Nominated [27]
2025 85th Peabody Awards Documentary STAX: Soulsville, U.S.A. Won [32]

Additional Awards

YearCeremonyCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2016 1st Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Best Music Documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week Won [26]
2019 4th Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Best Archival Documentary Pavarotti Nominated [33]
Best Music DocumentaryNominated
Best Biographical DocumentaryNominated
Two Riversides Film and Art FestivalAudience Award, First PlaceWon [34]
2022 2nd Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Streaming Documentary Television Movie Lucy and Desi Won [35]
2024 South by Southwest (SXSW) TV Premiere Audience Award STAX: Soulsville, U.S.A. Won [28]
40th IDA Documentary AwardsBest Limited SeriesNominated [36]
Oak Park Black Film FestivalBest DocumentaryBilly Preston: That's The Way God Planned ItWon [37]
2025 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival Best of FestSelected [38]
Filmfest DCAudience Award - Best DocumentaryWon [39]

References

  1. ↑ Complex, Valerie (2022-12-13). "White Horse Pictures Reorganizes Leadership Structure; Nicholas Ferrall Named Chairman & CEO". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  2. ↑ "Ron Howard To Direct New Beatles Film About The Touring Years | The Beatles". www.thebeatles.com. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  3. ↑ Kay2015-03-05T20:47:00+00:00, Jeremy. "White Horse boards A Faster Horse". Screen. Retrieved 2024-05-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Kastrenakes, Jacob (2016-05-04). "Hulu is getting into documentaries, starting with Ron Howard's Beatles film". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  5. ↑ The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (2016) – Awards – IMDb . Retrieved 2024-06-27– via www.imdb.com.
  6. ↑ T. H. R. Staff (2019-12-16). "Academy Unveils 2020 Oscar Shortlists". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  7. ↑ Grein, Paul (2020-09-15). "'The Apollo' (About the Legendary Theater) and 'Apollo 11' Win Big on Night 1 of Primetime Emmy Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  8. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2019-01-08). "CBS Films Acquiring Ron Howard-Directed Luciano Pavarotti Documentary". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  9. ↑ Lang, Robert (2023-12-03). "The Highest-Grossing Concert Movies Of All Time At The U.S. Box Office – Photo Gallery". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  10. ↑ "Pavarotti". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  11. ↑ "2021 Creative Arts Emmys: See the full list of winners". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  12. ↑ ""Lucy and Desi" Takes Home Two Awards at 2022 Emmys - sundance.org". 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  13. ↑ Carey, Matthew (2022-08-15). "White Horse Pictures' Nigel Sinclair And Jeanne Elfant Festa On Their Emmy Contender 'Lucy And Desi': "The Best Team Led By The Best Director"". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  14. ↑ Shafer, Ellise (2024-05-24). "Beach Boys Documentary Is Now Streaming On Disney+". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  15. ↑ Thatcher, John (2024-05-16). "HBO Original Documentary Series STAX: SOULSVILLE U.S.A. Debuts May 20". Stax Museum. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  16. ↑ Hipes, Lynette Rice,Patrick; Rice, Lynette; Hipes, Patrick (2024-07-17). "Emmy Nominations 2024: The Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ tuckerwilson (2025-02-19). "MSNBC Films to Air Documentary Series "David Frost Vs"". MSNBC Press Releases. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  18. ↑ Carey, Matthew (2025-06-04). "Sock's Appeal! Lisa D'Apolito's 'Shari & Lamb Chop' Doc Acquired By Kino Lorber". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
  19. ↑ "TIFF 2025 to Premiere Documentaries About Lilith Fair, 'Degrassi' │ Exclaim!". TIFF 2025 to Premiere Documentaries About Lilith Fair, 'Degrassi' │ Exclaim!. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
  20. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (2024-07-09). "Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu Headline 'Lilith Fair' Documentary (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  21. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (2025-07-24). "ABC News Studios Acquires 'Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery' Doc Ahead of Toronto Fest Bow (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-07-24.
  22. ↑ "Apple Original Films announces documentary on legendary rock icons Fleetwood Mac". Apple TV+ Press. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  23. ↑ "Paris Barclay's doc Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It makes debut at 2024 SXSW". BlackFilmandTV.com. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  24. ↑ "SHARI & LAMB CHOP". DOC NYC. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  25. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (2022-04-28). "Gene Wilder Doc Set at White Horse Pictures, Library Films (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  26. 1 2 3 The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016) - Awards - IMDb . Retrieved 2024-07-29– via www.imdb.com.
  27. 1 2 Lucy and Desi (2022) - Awards - IMDb . Retrieved 2024-07-29– via www.imdb.com.
  28. 1 2 "Critically Acclaimed HBO Docuseries 'STAX: Soulsville, U.S.A.' Nominated for Two Emmy® Awards - Stax Records" . Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  29. ↑
  30. ↑ "The Beach Boys - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  31. ↑
  32. ↑ Victorian, Brande (2025-05-01). "Peabody Awards: 'Baby Reindeer,' 'Ripley,' Shogun' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  33. ↑ Schaffstall, Katherine (2019-10-14). "Critics' Choice Doc Awards: 'Biggest Little Farm,' AOC Film 'Knock Down the House,' Obama-Backed 'American Factory' Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  34. ↑ "Two Riversides Film and Art Festival (2019)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  35. ↑ Tinoco, Armando (2022-08-15). "HCA TV Awards: 'Severance' Tops Streaming Winners In Night 2, Joining 'The White Lotus', 'Abbott Elementary', 'Better Call Saul'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  36. ↑ "IDA Documentary Awards 2024 Winners and Nominees | International Documentary Association". www.documentary.org. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  37. ↑ Church, Madelaine (2024-10-24). "Oak Park Black Film Festival celebrates Black cinema". The Sacramento Observer. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  38. ↑ "Best of Fest 2025 | Palm Springs International Film Festival". psfilmfest.org. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  39. ↑ "Filmfest DC". www.filmfestdc.org. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
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