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Ryan White and Ben Cotner

Ben Cotner: He // Him // His
Ryan White: He // Him // His

Documentary Filmmakers

Los Angeles, California

Photo of Ryan White and Ben Cotner.

Photo by Austin Hargrave.

Ben Cotner & Ryan White directed and produced The Case Against 8, a behind-the-scenes look inside the historic five-year battle to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival, where Cotner and White won the Directing Award for US Documentary, and had its broadcast premiere on HBO in June of 2014. The Case Against 8 has been an audience and jury favorite at festivals and is currently playing in multiple theatres and festivals abroad. Prior to this collaboration, Cotner served as an executive for ten years at Paramount Pictures and Open Road Films, where he oversaw acquisitions and production for a multitude of films including An Inconvenient Truth, Mad Hot Ballroom, and The Grey. White is the director/producer of Good Ol’ Freda (Magnolia Pictures, 2013) and Pelada (PBS International/Cinetic, 2010). His previous credits include television documentary specials on CNN and PBS.

Donor -This award was generously supported by Collins Family Foundation.

This artist page was last updated on: 01.08.2025

Photo of poster for film by Ben Cotner and Ryan White.

The Case Against 8 by Ben Cotner and Ryan White, 2014.

Image courtesy of the artists.