Blackbird Pictures
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana — Blackbird Pictures is a film production company founded in 2019 by filmmaker and composer Ashton Gleckman. Blackbird’s filmography includes We Shall Not Die Now, The Hills I Call Home, and the acclaimed 8-part documentary series Kennedy, produced in partnership with RadicalMedia (Summer of Soul) and The History Channel (Vikings), and narrated by Emmy Award-winner Peter Coyote (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial). Blackbird’s upcoming project is the documentary, The Quiet Village, narrated by Liev Schreiber (Defiance).
The Quiet Village
Documentary Feature (Coming 2026)
The Quiet Village chronicles the untold story of Kulmhof — the first extermination camp established by the Nazi regime and the birthplace of industrialized murder. Using gas vans, the camp operated between 1941 and 1945. Told through the eyes of those who built and operated the camp, the witnesses who lived in its shadow, and the six survivors who emerged to bear witness — The Quiet Village offers a groundbreaking exploration of the Holocaust. Narrated by Liev Schreiber (Defiance, Spotlight).
Kennedy
8-Part Documentary (Released 2023)
A chronicle of John F. Kennedy’s life and legacy, featuring over 70 new interviews filmed across the United States and narration by Peter Coyote (The Vietnam War). Directed, edited, and scored by Ashton Gleckman, and co-produced by the Academy Award-winning RadicalMedia and The HISTORY© Channel.
The Hills I Call Home
Documentary Feature (Released 2021)
The Hills I Call Home is Blackbird Pictures’ second documentary, directed by Ashton Gleckman, taking viewers inside one of America’s most economically distressed towns: Beattyville, Kentucky. Despite the struggles, it’s home to an empowered population working to overcome their challenges. Learn more about the film below.
We Shall Not Die Now
Documentary Feature (Released 2019)
We Shall Not Die Now is an award-winning documentary directed by Blackbird Pictures founder, Ashton Gleckman, and is the production company’s first release. The film is a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, spanning its history and key events. Featuring interviews with more than twenty-five Holocaust survivors, liberators, and historians —it is led on-screen by renowned historian Michael Berenbaum (The Last Days).