HBO Acquires Sundance Documentary ‘3 1/2 Minutes’ From Participant Media

The documentary tells story of the shooting death of black teenager Jordan Davis and subsequent trial of his killer, Michael Dunn

| January 31, 2015 @ 11:42 AM Last Updated: January 31, 2015 @ 12:27 PM

HBO has licensed U.S. television rights for Participant Media’s “3 1/2 Minutes,” a documentary about the shooting death of black teenager Jordan Davis, and the subsequent trial of his killer, Michael Dunn.

“3 1/2 Minutes” premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Documentary Competition. The film will debut on HBO in late Fall 2015, preceded by a theatrical release.

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“I am grieved that these continuing stories are everyday matters swept away,” commented Sheila Nevins, president, HBO Documentary Films. “By bringing this powerful film to HBO audiences we hope to elevate the national conversation around these tragic issues.”

Commenting on the agreement, Diane Weyermann, Participant’s EVP, Documentary film, said, “Following the incredible response ‘3 1/2 Minutes’ received at Sundance, I am thrilled that HBO is joining with Participant to bring Marc Silver’s devastating, dramatic, and all-too-timely documentary to a wider audience.”

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Director Marc Silver added, “When we started this journey, our aim was make sure that Jordan’s story was not going to be forgotten, that he would not become a statistic in an increasingly violent world; this is why we are so fortunate to be partnering with HBO and Participant Media for the distribution of ‘3 1/2 Minutes.’  We are now certain that Jordan’s story will reach the widest, most diverse audience possible.

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A The Filmmaker Fund / Motto Pictures production, in association with Lakehouse Films and Actual Films, “3 1/2 Minutes” was written and directed by Marc Silver, produced by Carolyn Hepburn and Minette Nelson, and executive produced by Orlando Bagwell, Bonni Cohen, Julie Goldman, and Participant Media’s Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann.

The deal was negotiated by HBO, Josh Braun at Submarine, and Jeff Ivers at Participant Media.

75 Eye-Popping Portraits From TheWrap's Sundance Studio (Exclusive Photos)

  • Sundance 2015 Portraits (Patrick Fraser)
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  • "Z for Zachariah" star Chris Pine, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
  • "Z for Zachariah" star Margot Robbie, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
  • "52: The Search for the Loneliest Whale in the World" producer Adrian Grenier, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
  • "James White" star Christopher Abbott, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
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  • "Nasty Baby" star Alia Shawkat, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
  • "Stockholm, Pennsylvania" star Jason Isaacs, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
  • "Stockholm, Pennsylvania" stars Jason Isaacs, David Warshofsky, Cynthia Nixon, Saoirse Ronan (back row, l-r)and Hana Hayse, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
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  • "The D Train" star Jeffrey Tambor, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
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  • "Z for Zachariah" star Margot Robbie, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
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  • Producer Christine Vachon, photographed by Patrick Fraser at TheWrap's Kia photobooth during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 23, 2015. Patrick Fraser/TheWrap
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Chris Pine, Keanu Reeves, Kristin Wiig, Lisa Kudrow, Margot Robbie, Alexander Skarsgard, Jeffrey Tambor and Jack Black among stars shot by photographer Patrick Fraser

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