Who we are

Rugby-Otis is a Brooklyn-based independent production company built on scrappy creativity, bold ideas, and a refusal to wait for permission. Founded by filmmakers who cut their teeth making features on zero-dollar budgets and grew into award-winning storytellers, we’re pioneering a new wave of cinema that thrives outside the Hollywood machine.

Over the past year alone, we’ve created a 52-episode sketch series, completed multiple short films on the festival circuit, and finished our first feature as a company, Cardboard Island. Our work has already been recognized internationally, with films screening at festivals such as the Cannes World Impact Film Festival, the Student World Impact Film Festival, the ROMA Short Film Festival, and Lift-Off Sessions, earning honors in categories including Best Indie Feature, Best Short Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Screenplay.

Individually, our team’s track record speaks for itself. Founder Jacob Boatsman has written, directed, and produced over 20 feature films—two of which are available now on Amazon Prime. His projects have consistently garnered recognition, from winning Joel Haver’s 2023 Oscar Challenge with Franklin and Evan, to taking Best Feature Film at Lift-Off Sessions with Jill!, to being honored for writing and originality across multiple festivals. With a background in Dramatic Writing from SCAD and a filmmaking ethos rooted in DIY authenticity, Jacob embodies the “jack of all trades” spirit that drives Rugby-Otis forward.

But more than accolades, Rugby-Otis is about community. We know how isolating it can be to make films—and how liberating it feels to finally get a story on screen. That’s why we work with other indie creators to help bring their visions to life on scrappy budgets without sacrificing quality. From shorts and sketches to features and branded work, we offer award-winning crews, festival-ready storytelling, and a relentless drive to get shit done.

We’re not here to climb Hollywood’s ladder. We’re here to build something new. If you’re ready to push boundaries, embrace imperfection, and create work that actually means something—welcome to Rugby-Otis.