CEN1-01. The Trial of Alec Baldwin

US, Feature Documentary, 2025, 111 min

In the wake of a fatal on-set shooting, actor Alec Baldwin faces trial for involuntary manslaughter. But as headlines feed on his fame and reputation, a question looms: Is Baldwin being judged by the law or by the court of public opinion?

On October 21, 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on a movie set by a prop gun held by the actor Alec Baldwin. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, virtually no one doubts that it was an accident and a deeply traumatizing experience for everyone involved. After the shock subsides, questions of responsibility, guilt, blame, punishment and justice begin circulating in the media, fueled largely by Baldwin’s fame, as well as his reputation. Talented and adored, yet also flawed, politically outspoken, and prone to explosions of anger, the New York City–based Hollywood star becomes a lightning rod for online haters and a target for pushy paparazzi. With prosecutors weighing criminal charges, the story that unfolds is driven less by the facts surrounding the case, and more by who Alec Baldwin is — both as a man and as a public figure.

Directed by Rory Kennedy

Colorado Premiere