Betsy West and Julie Cohen Collaborate on New Documentary About Amelia Earhart with CNN Films and Imagine Entertainment
Documentary on Amelia Earhart in Development by Oscar-Nominated Duo
A new documentary focusing on aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart is in the works, directed by the acclaimed team of Betsy West and Julie Cohen, who have been nominated for an Academy Award.
Produced by CNN Films, Imagine Entertainment, and West and Cohen’s Storyville Films, this project aims to deliver a "definitive portrait" of Earhart, who vanished in 1937 during her ambitious quest to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by air.
The upcoming film, titled Amelia, reunites West and Cohen with CNN Films and Imagine, following their successful collaboration on the Emmy-winning documentary Julia, which chronicles chef Julia Child’s influential life. The directors were also nominated for an Oscar in 2019 for RBG, a documentary that highlighted the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Their joint credits include Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down and My Name Is Pauli Murray.
In partnership with Icon International and Sandbox Films, the film explores Earhart’s legacy as a feminist icon whose story often remains overshadowed despite her groundbreaking achievements.
“Nearly a century after her mysterious disappearance, we’re excited to tell the other unknown story about Amelia Earhart: who exactly was this iconic woman who continues to garner headlines and inspire millions,” West and Cohen stated. “We can’t wait to bring to life this feminist, free-thinker and groundbreaking influencer, a global icon whose glamour, courage, and chutzpah make her an obvious choice for a rollicking, adventurous film.”
Earhart is renowned for several pioneering feats, including being the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic, as well as the first person to fly solo and nonstop from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland. Notably, she also advocated for women’s rights and supported early movements for the Equal Rights Amendment and access to birth control. Her progressive views extended even to her marriage, where she maintained her name and financial independence, an unconventional choice for her time.
The documentary will draw from an extensive archive of film and audio recordings—many of which are previously unseen or unheard—along with her books, journals, magazine columns, and personal letters. Viewers can expect a vivid portrayal of Earhart’s life through colorized archival images and immersive footage from early aviation.
On July 2, 1937, Earhart flew a twin-engine Lockheed Electra 10E with navigator Fred Noonan when the plane disappeared. Speculation about their fate includes crash-landing due to fuel depletion or possibly reaching an uninhabited island. Efforts to locate the aircraft have not yielded results.
Amelia will also chronicle Nauticos’s fourth expedition to find Earhart’s Electra, utilizing newly acquired data that suggests a possible location for the lost aircraft.
Sara Bernstein, president of Imagine Documentaries, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Imagine’s thrilled to reunite with CNN Films and our partners, Julie Cohen and Betsy West on Amelia. This has been a long runway and the mystery around Amelia Earhart’s courageous iconic life endures. We’re so excited to reintroduce her story to a new generation.”
CNN’s Amy Entelis praised the documentary, emphasizing its role in reshaping the narrative around trailblazing women and their legacies.
The film’s production team includes Sara Bernstein, Meredith Kaulfers, Julie Cohen, Betsy West, and Justin Wilkes. Executive producers include industry veterans such as Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and others.
The partnership with CNN was facilitated by CAA Media Finance and Imagine, alongside CAA Media and Entertainment’s collaboration with Icon Studios.
