Blue Ant picks up sales rights to Alec Baldwin doc examining fallout of Rust shooting

The Trial of Alec Baldwin

Blue Ant Media has picked up the global licensing rights to The Trial of Alec Baldwin, a feature-length documentary following the American actor as he navigates the fallout from the fatal shooting on the set of indie film Rust in 2021.

The project from director Rory Kennedy (Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing, Last Days in Vietnam) and writer-producer Mark Bailey is being introduced to buyers at Mipcom next month.

It examines both the personal and legal aftermath of the incident that saw Baldwin accidentally shoot and kill cinematographer Halyna Hutchins when a prop gun discharged a live round.

Baldwin faced charges of involuntary manslaughter in a highly publicised trial. A New Mexico judge ultimately dismissed the case in July 2024 on the grounds that prosecutors hid important evidence from the defence team.

According to Blue Ant, the doc reconstructs events surrounding the shooting, as well as showing unseen behind-the-scenes footage that filmmakers began capturing in spring 2023 after approaching Baldwin about his participation in March of that year.

Valentina Daley, the VP of acquisitions for Blue Ant Rights & Streaming, did the deal to pick up the worldwide rights. The announcement of the deal comes ahead of the film’s US theatrical release via Abramorama in the US on October 1.

“The film’s extraordinary access puts audiences in the room with Baldwin as key developments unfold, offering a rare perspective on how celebrity, media scrutiny and public perception shaped the case,” said Barnaby Shingleton, senior VP of acquisitions at Blue Ant Rights & Streaming.

“It’s a globally recognized story that will resonate with viewers who want to look beyond the headlines and better understand this complex case.”