John Hughes III, Alexander Brunati, Bjørn Johnson Launch Blue Cuckoo Pictures With Docu ‘Twin'
EXCLUSIVE: Documentary filmmakers Alexander Brunati, Bjørn Johnson and John Hughes III are opening the doors to Blue Cuckoo Pictures dedicated to documentary films.
The company will be based out of London and Chicago. Brunati, a Film and TV producer will serve as Director, Production & Operation. Johnson, an award-winning editor is named Creative Director, UK. Hughes, an experienced producer and the son of The Breakfast Club and Planes, Trains & Automobiles filmmaker John Hughes, will serve as Creative Director, US.
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The trio's first major collaboration is Twin, a feature-length documentary based on the true story of two Chicago brothers and an incredible miscarriage of justice. It's being prepped for a 2026 festival run and is being made in creative partnership with filmmaker Lia Nicholls and will feature an original score by composer Joshua Eustis.
Hughes said, 'Working with Alex and Bjørn on Twin was such a positive experience that I knew I wanted to find a way to do it again. It not only proved our collaboration works, it confirmed our creative visions are aligned and the trust we built was genuine.'
'John has storytelling in his blood and a creative instinct that cannot be taught,' says Johnson. Working with him on our debut feature has been an absolute pleasure and I cannot wait to see what we can build and create together with Blue Cuckoo Pictures.
In addition to the partners, Annie Macnee, previously with MGM Factual, Documentaries & Specials will serve as Head of Development at Blue Cuckoo Pictures and work across a slate which includes upcoming co-productions with Academy Award-winning Orlando Von Einsiedel's Grain Media and BAFTA-winning Daniel Kilroy's Jenco Films.
The company also intends to internally finance documentary projects and invest in up-and-coming filmmakers with unique story perspectives.
Added Brunati, 'Our new partnership is an exciting one that not only allows us to build on our slate of work but that also gives us the opportunity to nurture exciting new creative talent and invest in project we believe can make a mark in the industry.'
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