Blackfish (film)
Updated: 12/11/2025, 12:36:35 PM Wikipedia source
Blackfish is a 2013 American documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. It concerns Tilikum, an orca held by SeaWorld and the controversy over captive orcas. The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2013, and was picked up by Magnolia Pictures and CNN Films for wider release. It was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.
Infobox
Directed by
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Written by
mw- Gabriela Cowperthwaite Eli Despres Tim Zimmermann
Produced by
Manuel V. Oteyza Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Cinematography
Jonathan Ingalls Christopher Towey
Edited by
Eli Despres
Music by
Jeff Beal
Productioncompany
Manny O. Productions
Distributed by
Magnolia Pictures CNN Films
Release dates
January 19, 2013 (2013-01-19) (Sundance) July 19, 2013 (2013-07-19) (United States)
Running time
83 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$1.5 million
Box office
$2.3 million
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
67th British Academy Film Awards
67th British Academy Film Awards
Group
67th British Academy Film Awards
Category
BAFTA Award for Best Documentary
Recipient
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Result
Nominated
9th Golden Satellite Awards
9th Golden Satellite Awards
Group
9th Golden Satellite Awards
Category
Best Documentary Film
Recipient
Magnolia Pictures
Result
Won
2013 Sundance Film Festival
2013 Sundance Film Festival
Group
2013 Sundance Film Festival
Category
Grand Jury Prize Documentary (U.S.)
Recipient
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Result
Nominated
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards 2013
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards 2013
Group
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary Film
Result
Nominated
19th Critics' Choice Awards
19th Critics' Choice Awards
Group
19th Critics' Choice Awards
Category
Best Documentary Feature
Result
Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Group
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary
Result
Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 2013
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 2013
Group
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary Film
Result
Nominated
American Cinema Editors Awards 2014
American Cinema Editors Awards 2014
Group
American Cinema Editors Awards 2014
Category
Best Edited Documentary – Feature
Recipient
Eli B. Despres
Result
Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Group
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary
Recipient
Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Manuel V. Oteyza
Result
Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Group
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary Film
Result
Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2013
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2013
Group
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary Film
Result
Nominated
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2003
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2003
Group
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2003
Category
Best Documentary
Recipient
Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Result
Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Group
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary
Result
Won
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 2013
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Group
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary Film
Result
Won
Houston Film Critics Society Awards 2013
Houston Film Critics Society Awards 2013
Group
Houston Film Critics Society Awards 2013
Category
Best Documentary Feature
Result
Nominated
| Group | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 67th British Academy Film Awards | BAFTA Award for Best Documentary | Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Nominated |
| 9th Golden Satellite Awards | Best Documentary Film | Magnolia Pictures | Won |
| 2013 Sundance Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize Documentary (U.S.) | Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Nominated |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards 2013 | Best Documentary Film | Nominated | |
| 19th Critics' Choice Awards | Best Documentary Feature | Nominated | |
| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013 | Best Documentary | Nominated | |
| Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 2013 | Best Documentary Film | Nominated | |
| American Cinema Editors Awards 2014 | Best Edited Documentary – Feature | Eli B. Despres | Nominated |
| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013 | Best Documentary | Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Manuel V. Oteyza | Nominated |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 2013 | Best Documentary Film | Nominated | |
| Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2013 | Best Documentary Film | Nominated | |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2003 | Best Documentary | Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Nominated |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2013 | Best Documentary | Won | |
| St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 2013 | Best Documentary Film | Won | |
| Houston Film Critics Society Awards 2013 | Best Documentary Feature | Nominated |
References
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