Bluemel joins Keo as creative director

Filmmaker James Bluemel will be joining Keo Films as Creative Director.

Bluemel joins Keo’s existing senior management team and will work alongside Creative Director Will Anderson and CCO Andrew Palmer as an equal partner.

Over the last 10 years Bluemel has been responsible for delivering some of Keo’s most prestigious and impactful shows – from Channel 4’s Sking and Here Come the Romanians to BBC 2’s Exodus, Once Upon a Time in iraq and most recently Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland. Between them, these shows have won numerous awards including six Griersons, three BAFTAs, two EMMYs, a Golden Rose and a Peabody.

His latest offering Once Upon a Time in Space (4×60) has today been announced by the BBC. Commissioned by Clare Sillery, BBC Head of Commissioning, Documentaries. It is being made by Keo Films, directed by Bluemel who serves as an Executive Producers alongside Keo’s Will Anderson and Andrew Palmer. Vicky Mitchell is Series Producing. It is produced in partnership with the Open University and the Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Tom Pullen.

Creative Director, Keo Films Will Anderson says “Andrew and I are delighted that James is making official what we have all felt for years – that he is an integral part of the KEO family. His creativity and skill attract some of the best talent in the business to come and work with us, and we’re looking forward to building on our slate of commissions with him”.
James Bleumel says, “I have really enjoyed the creative partnership I have shared with Will and Andrew over the past decade and feel it has resulted in some pretty good films of which we are all very proud. To be able to officially join the Keo / Passion team at this time is incredibly exciting. I’m looking forward to making more films together, exploring new areas and approaches, and mentoring new talent.”

A Passion Pictures company, Keo Films is set to extend the scope of their award-winning output of innovative and impactful documentaries and series.

CEO Passion Pictures, Nick Southgate says, “James is a generational talent, that he has chosen to officially make Keo and Passion his home makes us really proud, and we are excited for the next chapter with him onboard.”