Rod Blackhurst
Rod Blackhurst
Rod Blackhurst most recently directed and produced the dramatic crime thriller BLOOD FOR DUST starring Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington, Josh Lucas, Ethan Suplee, Nora Zehetner and Stephen Dorff. BLOOD FOR DUST was produced by Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, the film and television studio Blackhurst runs with partner Noah Lang. BLOOD FOR DUST premiered at Tribeca and Deauville in 2023 to acclaim from Variety, Film Threat, Screen Anarchy, The Hollywood Reporter, Rogert Ebert and many more.
Blackhurst is also known as the Emmy and Critics Choice nominated director and producer of the Netflix Original Documentary AMANDA KNOX and the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award Winning Narrative Film HERE ALONE. Previously, Blackhurst’s THE WHITE ROOM, co-created with filmmaker Bryce McGuire was named to the 2018 Blood List before being acquired by Amblin Partners. Blackhurst and McGuire also co-wrote the story for the 2024 Universal Pictures release NIGHT SWIM (based on their titular acclaimed short film) starring Academy Award Nominee Kerry Condon and Wyatt Russell.
He has directed a number of award-winning short films including the SXSW Official Selection WOULD YOU, starring Dave Franco and Chris Mintz-Plasse, Short of the Week MOMMY, Vimeo Staff Pick ALONE TIME and HYSTERIC, a Fantasia, Short of the Week and Alter (Gunpowder & Sky) Official Selection.
As a genre agnostic filmmaker Blackhurst directed and showran the documentary series JOHN WAYNE GACY: DEVIL IN DISGUISE for Peacock and directed on NatGeo’s WELCOME TO EARTH starring Will Smith.
Blackhurst’s work as a commercial director for Airbnb, Delta, Hilton, Farm Bureau, Scott TP, Volcom, SeaDoo, Dodge Ram, Tylenol, Uber Freight has been shortlisted for Cannes Lions and won AdWeek Arc and Webby Awards.
He lives in Nashville with his wife and two daughters. He runs a film and television studio called Witchcraft Motion Picture Company. He speaks fluent French. Toured with a rock band for 4 years. Got his start in action sports directing ski films. Grew up without a TV and wishes he didn’t have a cell phone.