Gunpowder and Sky picks up Tribeca documentary ‘Copwatch’
Gunpowder & Sky has acquired distribution rights for Camilla Hall’s documentary Copwatch in all English-speaking markets.
Jake Hanly represented Gunpowder & Sky during the negotiations, with WME striking the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. The distribution deal came after the no-holds-barred documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2017.
Copwatch follows the story of WeCopwatch, an organization aiming to film police activity as a form of non-violent protest and deterrent to police brutality. It features interviews with people involved within the movement, including Ramsey Orta, the man that recorded Eric Garner’s final words on his mobile phone.
Garner died in Staten Island after an officer put him in what has been described as a “chokehold”, prohibited by the New York Police Department. Despite this, the officer was not convicted. The aftermath, called by many a failure of the justice system, led to public protests and rallies held nationwide.
“Citizen journalism is as relevant and as vital as it has ever been, and Copwatch continues the conversation around police brutality from a unique perspective”, commented VP of Acquisitions Jake Hanly at Gunpowder & Sky.
Directed by journalist-turned-filmmaker Hall, the documentary was produced by Bow and Arrow Entertainment’s Matthew Perniciaro and Michael Sherman produced. Tirrell D. Whittley, Jacob Crawford, and Patrick Hamm served as executive producers, alongside T.J. Martin and Daniel Lindsay, the directorial duo behind Oscar-winning documentary Undefeated (2011).
This isn’t the first time Gunpowder & Sky has collaborated with Bow and Arrow. They released Bow and Arrow’s Sundance favorite The Little Hours.
“We jumped at the chance to work with Gunpowder & Sky again. We’re very proud of Copwatch and are grateful to have found a partner who believes not only in the importance of the issues explored in the film, but also telling the human stories of those who have dedicated their lives to these forms of activism”, adds Perniciaro.
Distribution and Release
The film moved from acquisition to commercial availability on Amazon and Prime Video. Viewers can rent or purchase the title directly through those storefronts, completing the multi-platform rollout that Gunpowder & Sky outlined after the Tribeca premiere.
Key Figures and Aftermath
Ramsey Orta, captured on camera during the Garner incident and later interviewed for the film, was released from prison in May 2020. The release occurred under pandemic-related measures and did not alter the documentary’s account of his role in documenting the event.
Availability and Platforms
The finished documentary now sits on Amazon for rental or purchase and streams on Prime Video. These outlets give English-speaking audiences the access that Gunpowder & Sky planned when the deal closed.
Legacy of WeCopwatch and Citizen Journalism
WeCopwatch continues its advocacy work, and related projects such as the BET series Copwatch America pick up similar themes. The original film’s focus on filming police encounters remains part of a longer public conversation that has not faded since 2017.
Director Camilla Hall's Subsequent Work
Hall returned to Tribeca in 2022 with the documentary Subject. She continues her nonfiction practice between bases in London and Los Angeles, building on the observational approach first seen in Copwatch.
Ramsey Orta: Life After the Film
After the documentary’s release, Orta completed his sentence and left supervision in January 2022. His post-film biography stands separate from the footage and interviews that placed him at the center of the original story.
Impact on Broader Conversations Around Police Accountability
The film records WeCopwatch activity in Ferguson, Baltimore, and Staten Island. PBS Frontline reporting on police use of force has kept similar questions in circulation through 2024, showing how the issues captured on screen have stayed active in national coverage.
Gunpowder & Sky positioned Copwatch as a record of citizen journalism in action. The completed release on major platforms and the continued work of its subjects keep that record accessible to new viewers.
