Rod Blackhurst

Rod Blackhurst is a Nashville-based filmmaker whose latest film, the horror movie Dolly, is out now in theaters through IFC and Shudder. His first fiction feature, Here Alone, won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival and was released theatrically by Vertical Entertainment, and his thriller Blood for Dust, starring Scoot McNairy, Nora Zehetner, Ethan Suplee, Amber Rose Mason, Stephen Dorff, Josh Lucas and Kit Harington, came out theatrically in 2024. His first documentary feature, the Netflix Original Amanda Knox, premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.

Talks

Don’t Build a New Ship, Improve the Old One

Film

By Rod Blackhurst | March 6, 2026

Don’t Build a New Ship, Improve the Old One

Dolly director Rod Blackhurst on the deeply meaningful process of building an ever-growing team of collaborators around him.

If You Want to Make Movies, Make Your Own Luck

Film

By Rod Blackhurst | April 19, 2024

If You Want to Make Movies, Make Your Own Luck

After waiting seven years to make his second feature, Blood for Dust, Rod Blackhurst has some thoughts on how to avoid the sophomore slump.

The Independent Film System is Broken (and Some Advice on How to Succeed Anyway)

Film

By Rod Blackhurst | December 4, 2017

The Independent Film System is Broken (and Some Advice on How to Succeed Anyway)

The director of Amanda Knox and Here Alone has some thoughts he needs to share with you.