Julian Sibal
Filmmaker. Director. Storyteller.
I make films about
human connection.
Director Bio
JULIAN SIBAL is an award-winning Filipino-American director, writer, and founder of BLACKBOT PRODUCTIONS. Originally from Chico, California, he earned degrees in Film & Media Studies and Drama from UC Irvine, where he co-founded BLACKBOT with classmate Briston Brown during an introductory production course. Since 2012, Julian has lived and worked in Los Angeles, developing his craft through years of writing, directing, and collaborating across the city’s independent film community.
Julian’s short films — including the festival-winning Jake the Failure and the romantic drama Through the Glass — have been recognized for their intimate, character-focused storytelling. His film Jake the Failure earned Best Director and Best Screenplay at the 2023 Fil-Am Creative Film Festival, establishing his voice as a filmmaker drawn to human connection, emotional honesty, and grounded realism.
He is currently developing his debut feature, Floating in Riverview, a coming-of-age romantic drama shaped by his Northern California roots and nearly a decade of development. The film continues his commitment to quiet, atmospheric stories that linger long after they’re over.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At BLACKBOT PRODUCTIONS, we make films about human connection — the small, honest moments that reveal who we are to one another. Our work focuses on intimate, character-driven stories that explore identity, the quiet shifts in relationships, and the universal desire to love and be loved.
We’re drawn to the subtleties of everyday life: the conversations that stay with you, the decisions that change you, and the emotional truths that rarely get spoken aloud. Our goal is to create films that feel lived-in, atmospheric, and deeply human — stories that resonate long after the credits fade because they reflect something real.
Why We Make Films
BLACKBOT PRODUCTIONS
BLACKBOT PRODUCTIONS is a filmmaker-led studio focused on intimate, character-driven cinema. Built on more than a decade of writing, directing, and collaborating across Los Angeles, we create stories grounded in emotional truth, cultural specificity, and a deep belief in the power of small moments.
Our work spans award-winning shorts, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and now our first feature film, Floating in Riverview. As we grow, we’re developing a slate of films that are both artistically bold and commercially resonant — stories that begin from something deeply personal but speak to audiences everywhere.
The Studio
FOUNDERS
Julian Sibal
Co-Founder, Director, and Writer shaping the studio’s creative vision.
Briston Brown
Co-Founder of Blackbot Productions and early creative collaborator during its formation at UC Irvine.
Producer
OUR TEAM
PARKER DAVENPORT brings a decade of experience in project management, fundraising, and team building — skills sharpened across biotech and investing — to his work as a producer. He specializes in assembling the right collaborators, securing resources, and driving timelines from pitch to picture lock. In recent years, Parker has produced and cast multiple independent projects, focusing on where creative ambition meets operational execution. For Floating in Riverview, he brings structure, discipline, and a grounded approach to turning the film’s vision into a clear and achievable production plan.
ADVISORS
Jimmy Chang — Finance Consultant
Jimmy Chang advises on financing strategy and investor outreach for Floating in Riverview.
FEATURE FILM
Floating in Riverview
A grounded coming-of-age romantic drama shaped by Northern California roots, Floating in Riverview follows two community college students whose lives are altered after a shared astronomy project. Set in a fictional town inspired by Chico, the film captures the emotional tension between staying and leaving — between the familiar and the unknown. Developed over nearly a decade, Floating in Riverview is a story built around the quiet moments that shape us in ways we rarely see coming.