EXCLUSIVE: Abramorama has acquired North American theatrical rights to Space Cowboy, an eye-popping documentary about skydiving stunt coordinator and free fall cinematographer Joe Jennings, a man known for driving cars out of airplanes to capture one-of-a-kind footage.
The film directed by Marah Strauch (Sunshine Superman) and Bryce Leavitt will open for a weeklong engagement at the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles on February 27, with screenings in New York City and across North America to follow. We have your first look at the film in the trailer above.
Space Cowboy premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. With incredible visuals, it captures “Jennings’ extraordinary 40-year skydiving career,” as a release notes, “from winning gold at the first ever ESPN X-Games and crafting awe-inspiring stunts for Hollywood movies, to his ongoing artistic pursuit of ‘making a car fly,’ and the mental health struggles that he’s battled along the way.”
“Space Cowboy is a visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful film that captures the extraordinary life of a true innovator,” said Abramorama’s Damon G. Smith, SVP Business Growth and Creative Strategy, and Karol Martesko-Fenster, CEO. “Joe Jennings’ story transcends the world of extreme sports—it’s a testament to the human spirit’s ability to find purpose and artistry even in the face of profound tragedy. We’re thrilled to bring this remarkable documentary to audiences across North America.”
On his website, Jennings writes, “I have a unique skillset and lucked into an extraordinary life. Flying camera, I’ve won 4 world championship titles and dozens of awards including two Emmys only to look in the mirror and realize that I’m still just me.”
Jennings’ movie credits include Charlie’s Angels (2000), xXx (the 2002 Vin Diesel action film), and San Andreas (2015). He writes on his website, “Ultimately, when movie makers learn to see skydiving as a sport; like surfing, skiing, or even baseball with all of its positions and specialties, and not just as a ‘stunt,’ then we’ll begin to see skydiving’s best athletes in the movies, and that will be a game changer.”
Strauch is working on a documentary about novelist Patricia Highsmith. She directed the 2021 documentary Vice Versa: Chyna about late professional wrestler and bodybuilder Joanie Chyna Laurer. Her 2014 film Sunshine Superman documented Carl Boenish, “father of the BASE jumping movement.”
Space Cowboy marks the feature directorial debut of co-director Bryce Leavitt, a former professional basketball player who founded Curve Shark Productions, specializing in commercial and documentary production.
“Joe Jennings has spent four decades redefining what’s possible in the sky,” Strauch and Leavitt said in a statement, “but his most courageous act has been his incredible emotional journey on the ground. This film is not as much about skydiving, as it is a story about what it means to be human. We’re honored to share Joe’s life-affirming story—one that celebrates finding art in the unlikeliest of places, and reveals the resilience required to keep chasing the things we love, even when the ground beneath us has given way.”
Abramorama presents A Thank You Pictures presentation in association with REV Entertainment, Inc. The film is produced by Bryce Leavitt, Marah Strauch, and Tyler Measom. Executive producers are Richard Valenzuela, Chance Wright, and Lars Sylvest. Tony Johansson served as director of photography; Eric Bruggemann and J. Davis edited the film.
Watch the Space Cowboy trailer above.
English (US) ·