'' Blackfish '' is a 2013 American documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite . It concerns Tilikum , an orca held by SeaWorld and the controversy over captive killer whales . The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 19 , 2013 , and was picked up by Magnolia Pictures and CNN Films for wider release . It was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary
2013 Sundance Film Festival
2013 Sundance Film Festival
Blackfish (film)