FINDING TYLER is a short documentary film I co-directed with Christopher Brannan. It won a Suncoast Emmy Award for Historical Documentary and received national PBS syndication in 2022.
In August of 2003, Tyler Johnson was a prized scholar in theoretical physics. Months later he was homeless on the island of Corsica, a fugitive wanted by the FBI.
For six years Tyler sent letters to his family, each containing cryptic clues about his condition. Then the letters stopped arriving.
His final letter was found at his last known whereabouts: a remote mountain refuge near Corsica's highest peaks. Alongside that unsent letter was a journal outlining his years living on the run.
Using that journal—Tyler’s own words—and interviews with those who knew him best, Finding Tyler explores the introspective struggle of life as a fugitive.
FINDING TYLER premiered at the RiverRun International Film Festival in May 2021.
For six years Tyler sent letters to his family, each containing cryptic clues about his condition. Then the letters stopped arriving.
His final letter was found at his last known whereabouts: a remote mountain refuge near Corsica's highest peaks. Alongside that unsent letter was a journal outlining his years living on the run.
Using that journal—Tyler’s own words—and interviews with those who knew him best, Finding Tyler explores the introspective struggle of life as a fugitive.
FINDING TYLER premiered at the RiverRun International Film Festival in May 2021.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Role: Co-Director
Completed: 2021
Completed: 2021
AWARDS
2022 Regional Emmy Winner – Documentary Historical (Dec), Finding Tyler, Suncoast Regional Emmys
2022 PBS National Syndication- (Aug) – Nationwide
2021 Best Overall Film (Dec), Film ‘Finding Tyler’, Ealing Film Festival
2021 Award Nominee (Dec), Film ‘Finding Tyler’, Flathead Lake International Film Festival