Emmy award-winner Ali LeRoi is set to direct Blumhouse’s American Refugee, the second film announced as part of Blumhouse’s deal with Epix, with the first being Whistler Camp.
In American Refugee, “With the American economy in collapse and the nation under martial law, a family seeks shelter in their neighbor’s bunker, where the danger inside is potentially greater than the danger outside.”
Allison and Nicolas Buckmelter penned the script which was awarded the distinguished Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting.
LeRoi is best known for co-creating the television hits “Everybody Hates Chris” starring Chris Rock, and garnered multiple Emmy nominations for “The Chris Rock Show” winning an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program. He received multiple award nominations including a WGA Award for Everybody Hates Chris and won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. LeRoi most recently helmed the indie drama The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, which premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival and was awarded the Jury Prize at OUTshine 2020 and the Audience Award at LA Outfest 2020. LeRoi is President Emeritus of the prestigious Humanitas Prize, devoted to highlighting writing which promotes human dignity, meaning, and freedom.
Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, and Jeremy Gold are executive producing for Blumhouse. Lisa Bruce is also executive producing. Ali LeRoi is represented by WME, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Alison & Nicolas Buckmelter are represented by Paradigm and Hanson Jacobson.
