Vulcan Productions produced documentary films, television programming and virtual reality experiences that drove awareness around environmental and social issues. The company was founded in 1997 by late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and his sister Jody Allen. It closed in 2021.
The company financed and co-produced films with directors such as Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood and Robert Redford. Its films and TV series had aired on video on-demand services like Netflix, HBO and Hulu and across networks like The Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Films produced by Vulcan Productions won Peabody Awards and received Academy Award nominations. The company focused on raising awareness on issues like mental health, girl's education, veterans, parenting, wildlife conservation, ocean health, climate change and modern-day slavery.
History Vulcan Productions began under the name "Clear Blue Sky Productions" and received its first critical success with the feature film Titus (1999). The company continued to produce feature films including Far From Heaven, Where God Left His Shoes, and Hard Candy. With a name change in 2011, the then-Vulcan Productions shifted its measure of success from box office numbers and critical ratings to driving social impact and world change. The company exclusively produced Social impact entertainment with a focus on topics ranging from wildlife and conservation, global health, contemporary social issues, science, technology, history and exploration.
As part of the larger Vulcan Inc. organization, Vulcan Productions’ mission was to “change minds and ignite action through the power of storytelling.”
On May 27, 2020 Vulcan Inc. announced that Vulcan Productions would be shutdown in 2021 citing the "economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis" as well as "the ongoing transition after Paul Allen's passing in 2018." A few weeks after winning top honors at the Sundance Film Festival for Summer of Soul, Vulcan Productions ceased operations.
Films YearFilmTypeRelease dateDirectorCo-producersStarringDistributorAwards1997Inspirations (film)Documentary film1997Michael AptedArgo Films1999Titus (film)Feature film25 December 1999Julie TaymorOverseas Film GroupAnthony Hopkins Jessica Lange
Alan Cumming
Colm FeoreFox Searchlight PicturesMe & Isaac NewtonDocumentary film1999Michael AptedGertrude B. Elion Ashok Gadgil
Michio Kaku
Maja MatarićFirst Look International Home Vision Entertainment2001Nova: Cracking the Code of LifeTelevision documentary17 April 2001Elizabeth ArledgePBSRobert Krulwich (Journalist)PBSEvolutionTelevision special2001David Espar "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" Susan K. Lewis "Darwin's Dangerous Idea"
Joel Olicker "Great Transformations"
Kate Churchill "Extinction!"
Richard Hutton "Extinction!"
Gail Wilumsen "Evolutionary Arms race"PBSLiam Neeson (Narrator)PBS2003Far from HeavenFeature film10 January 2003Todd HaynesFocus FeaturesJulianne Moore Dennis Quaid
Dennis Haysbert
Patricia ClarksonFocus FeaturesThe Blues (film series)Documentary series28 September 2003Martin Scorsese "Feel Like Going Home" Wim Wenders "The Soul of a Man"
Richard Pearce (director) "The Road to Memphis"
Charles Burnett (director) "Warming by the Devil's Fire"
Marc Levin "Godfathers and Sons"
Mike Figgis "Red, White and Blues"
Clint Eastwood "Piano Blues"Road Movies FilmproduktionB.B. King Laurence Fishburne (Narrator)
Ray CharlesPBS2004Black Sky: The Race For SpaceDocumentary film3 October 2004Sandy Guthrie Jill Shinefield
Scott B
Gail WillumsenDiscovery Channel Gemini Productions
Antenna FilmsBurt Rutan Paul Allen
James BensonDiscovery ChannelLightning in a BottleDocumentary film5 August 2004Antoine FuquaJigsaw ProductionsAerosmith India Arie
John Fogerty
Gregg AllmanSony Pictures ClassicsStrange Days on Planet EarthTelevision series2004David EliscoSea Studios Foundation National Geographic SocietyEdward Norton (Narrator)PBS2005Hard Candy (film)Feature film21 January 2005David SladeLaunchpad ProductionsElliot Page Patrick Wilson
Sandra OhLionsgate FilmsSuccess at the CoreEducational film2005Richard HuttonEducation Development CenterTeaching ChannelRx For SurvivalDocumentary series2005Mike Beckham (Producer) “Disease Warriors”
Sara Holt (Producer) “Rise of the Superbugs”
Andy Young (Producer) “Deadly Messengers”
Tabitha Jackson (Producer) “Back to the Basics”
Rob Whittlesey (Producer) “How Safe Are We?”WGBH Educational FoundationBrad Pitt (Narrator)PBS2007Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on TrialDocumentary film13 November 2007Gary Johnstone Joseph McMasterWGBH Educational FoundationPBSWhere God Left His ShoesFeature film2007Salvatore StabileJohn Leguizamo Leonor Varela
David Castro (actor)IFC Films2010This Emotional LifeDocumentary series4 January 2010Matt Boatright-SimonKunhardt Films McGee MediaDaniel Gilbert (psychologist)PBS2013Girl RisingDocumentary film2013Richard E. RobbinsThe Documentary Group Double Exposure StudiosNarration by Anne Hathaway Cate Blanchett
Selena Gomez
Liam Neeson
Meryl Streep
Kerry WashingtonCNN Films NetflixPandora's PromiseDocumentary filmRobert Stone (director)Robert Stone ProductionsCNN Films2014We The Economy: 20 Short Films You Can't Afford To MissDocumentary film201422 directors including, but not limited to: Morgan Spurlock
Catherine Hardwicke
Adrian Grenier
Adam McKay
Lee HirschCinelanMorgan Spurlock James Schamus
Adrian Grenier
Judah Friedlander
among others45 different distribution partners Including, but not limited to: Amazon Video
Netflix
Comcast
Google Play
Time Warner Cable2015Body Team 12Documentary film2015David DargRYOT FilmsHBORacing ExtinctionDocumentary film18 September 2015Louie PsihoyosOceanic Preservation Society Okeanos
Li Ka Shing Foundation
Insurgent DocsElon Musk Jane Goodall
Leilani Munter
Joel SartoreDiscovery Channel2016Midsummer in NewtownDocumentary film1 April 2016Lloyd KramerParticipant MediaJimmy GreeneNaledi: A Baby Elephant's TaleDocumentary film5 June 2016Ben Bowie Geoffrey LuckOff the Fence Bigger BangNetflixThe Ivory GameDocumentary filmNovember 12, 2016Richard Ladkani Kief DavidsonTerra Mater Factual Studios Malaika Pictures
Appian WayElisifa Ngowi Craig Millar
Andrea Crosta
Hongxiang Huang
Ofir Drori
Ian Craig
Georgina Kamanga NetflixOcean WarriorsTelevision series4 December 2016Marc Benjamin Marc LevinSundance Productions Brick City TVSid Chakravarty Peter HammerstedtAnimal Planet2017Unseen EnemyDocumentary film7 April 2017Janet TobiasSierra/Tango Productions
CNN FilmsCNN Films Amazon Video2018Ballet NowDocumentary film4 June 2018Steven Cantor Stick Figure StudiosTiler PeckHuluX-Ray Fashion VR short29 August 2018Francesco CarrozziniMANNDFrancesco CarrozziniChasing the ThunderDocumentary film2 February 2018Marc Benjamin Marc LevinBrick City TVSid Chakravarty Peter HammerstedtAnimal PlanetMemphis Belle: The RestorationDocumentary film2018William WylerCreative Differences2019USS Indianapolis: The Final ChapterDocumentary film8 January 2019Kirk WolfingerLone Wolf MediaPBS Amazon Video
iTunes Everest VRVR short10 April 2019Jon Griffith Matthew DejohnAlpine Exposures Legend 3DSherpa Tenji Jon GriffithDrop in the OceanVR short25 April 2019Philippe Cousteau Jr.Vision3 Conservation InternationalPhilippe Cousteau Ashlan CousteauGuardians of the KingdomVR short26 April 2019Sophie Ansel Christophe BailhacheUnderwater Earth Seaview 360
Projects for Good
ITRAMAS
SpinifexSylvia Earle Finau MolisiThe Cold BlueDocumentary film6 June 2019Erik NelsonCreative DifferencesHBOGhost FleetDocumentary film7 June 2019Shannon Service Jeffrey WaldronSeahorse ProductionsPatima Tungpuchayakul Tun Lin
Chutima "Oi" Sidasathian
Bustar MaitarTBDOliver Sacks: His Own LifeDocumentary filmAugust 31, 2019Ric BurnsSteeplechase Productions Motto Pictures
PBS American MastersOliver SacksPBS American Masters
Where God Left His Shoes Winner – The Humanitas Prize: 2008 Best Sundance Feature Film 2008 Imagen Awards Nominated - Best Film Nominated - Best Actor - John Leguizamo Nominated - Best Supporting Actor - David Castro Winner - Best Supporting Actress - Leonor Varela
Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas 2006 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Best Actress - Olivia Wilde
Hard Candy (film) 2006 Malaga Film Festival Best Film Best Director - David Slade Best Actress - Elliot Page Best Cinematographer - Jo Willems 2005 Sitges Film Festival Best Motion Picture Best Screenplay Audience Award for Best Motion Picture
Coastlines
Far from Heaven 75th Annual Academy Award nominations Best Actress in a Leading Role - Julianne Moore Best Cinematography - Edward Lachman Best Writing (Original Screenplay) - Todd Haynes Best Music (Score) - Elmer Bernstein Independent Spirit Awards winner: Best Picture Best Director - Todd Haynes Best Female Lead - Julianne Moore Best Supporting Male - Dennis Quaid Best Cinematography - Edward Lachman, A.S.C. Golden Globe Award nominations: Best Actress - Julianne Moore (Drama) Best Supporting Actor - Dennis Quaid Best Screenplay - Todd Haynes Best Music Score - Elmer Bernstein
The Safety of Objects Deauville Festival of American Film International Critics Prize Best Performance: Patricia Clarkson, Ralph Lauren Fragrances Prize Seattle Women in Cinema Film Festival Third-place prize San Sebastian International Film Festival Nominated: Golden Seashell Award
The Luzhin Defence
Titus 2000 Academy Awards Nominated: Best Costume Design 2000 Art Directors Guild Nominated: Excellence in Production Design Award 2000 Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Winner: Silver Ribbon Award – Best Production Design 2000 Edgar Allan Poe Awards Nominated: Best Motion Picture 2000 Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards Nominated: Sierra Award – Best Costume Design Best Screenplay – Adapted 2000 Satellite Awards Winner: Gold Satellite – Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama Nominated: Best Art Direction, Production Design Best Costume Design Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama Best Screenplay – Adapted Best Visual Effects 2001 London Critics Circle Film Awards Nominated: Best British Actor of the Year
Men with Guns
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