Blavity

How The Turner Brothers Brought Their Major Filmmaking Ambitions To Sundance With 'FreeLance'

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by

Shanique Yates

02.05.26

The Turner Brothers have officially taken their talents from the Midwest to Park City, Utah.

In their Sundance debut, Julien and Justen Turner showcase the highs and lows of chasing dreams with FreeLance, an indie TV pilot following a young filmmaker in the Midwest as he navigates the creative industry alongside his tight-knit group.

The project premiered in the Episodic Fiction Pilot Showcase at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and is produced by their company, Dreadhead Films. It stars Spence Moore II, KevOnStage, Lou Young III, Lou Ratchett, Bernard “B Nard” Clark, Renè Vaca and Elijah Cooper, with an appearance by Mel Mitchell.

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The Best Advice Behind This Sundance Comedy Came From Their Mom

Filmmaking brothers Julien and Justen Turner reflect on FreeLANCE’s Sundance debut, gig-economy chaos, and the mother who pushed them to bet on themselves. “Trust a Black woman.” If that lesson isn’t already hardwired into the culture, it’s certainly been cemented for brothers Julien and Justen Turner. The filmmaking siblings credit their mother, Dr. Cynthia Turner, a college administrator, with pushing them to stop waiting for permission and bet on themselves. They followed that advice. And the result? FreeLANCE, their new episodic comedy series, premiered as part of the 2026 Sundance Episodic Pilot Showcase.

Ebony

The Best Advice Behind This Sundance Comedy Came From Their Mom

Filmmaking brothers Julien and Justen Turner reflect on FreeLANCE’s Sundance debut, gig-economy chaos, and the mother who pushed them to bet on themselves. “Trust a Black woman.” If that lesson isn’t already hardwired into the culture, it’s certainly been cemented for brothers Julien and Justen Turner. The filmmaking siblings credit their mother, Dr. Cynthia Turner, a college administrator, with pushing them to stop waiting for permission and bet on themselves. They followed that advice. And the result? FreeLANCE, their new episodic comedy series, premiered as part of the 2026 Sundance Episodic Pilot Showcase.

Ebony

The Best Advice Behind This Sundance Comedy Came From Their Mom

Filmmaking brothers Julien and Justen Turner reflect on FreeLANCE’s Sundance debut, gig-economy chaos, and the mother who pushed them to bet on themselves. “Trust a Black woman.” If that lesson isn’t already hardwired into the culture, it’s certainly been cemented for brothers Julien and Justen Turner. The filmmaking siblings credit their mother, Dr. Cynthia Turner, a college administrator, with pushing them to stop waiting for permission and bet on themselves. They followed that advice. And the result? FreeLANCE, their new episodic comedy series, premiered as part of the 2026 Sundance Episodic Pilot Showcase.

Little Black Book

The Turner Brothers: Breaking Boundaries in Branded Storytelling with Record-Breaking Nike Collaboration

Invisible Collective filmmaking duo Julien and Justen Turner are rewriting the playbook for branded storytelling. Known for their ability to blend authentic narrative with commercial objectives, their recent collaboration with Nike—a groundbreaking campaign featuring NBA legends LeBron James and son Bronny—has set the advertising world on fire, amassing over 100 million views on social platforms. This success marks a major milestone not only for Nike but also for the Turner Brothers, who have become one of the most sought-after directing teams in the industry. Diving into the creative process behind their game-changing collaboration, LBB’s April Summers explores their unique approach to filmmaking, and discusses how their backgrounds shape the “urban storytelling” that has caught the attention of global brands like Beats by Dre, Air Jordan, and Adidas. With their roots in sports videography and a passion for world-building, Julien and Justen share how they continue to push the boundaries of creativity and authenticity in their work.

Little Black Book

The Turner Brothers: Breaking Boundaries in Branded Storytelling with Record-Breaking Nike Collaboration

Invisible Collective filmmaking duo Julien and Justen Turner are rewriting the playbook for branded storytelling. Known for their ability to blend authentic narrative with commercial objectives, their recent collaboration with Nike—a groundbreaking campaign featuring NBA legends LeBron James and son Bronny—has set the advertising world on fire, amassing over 100 million views on social platforms. This success marks a major milestone not only for Nike but also for the Turner Brothers, who have become one of the most sought-after directing teams in the industry. Diving into the creative process behind their game-changing collaboration, LBB’s April Summers explores their unique approach to filmmaking, and discusses how their backgrounds shape the “urban storytelling” that has caught the attention of global brands like Beats by Dre, Air Jordan, and Adidas. With their roots in sports videography and a passion for world-building, Julien and Justen share how they continue to push the boundaries of creativity and authenticity in their work.

Little Black Book

The Turner Brothers: Breaking Boundaries in Branded Storytelling with Record-Breaking Nike Collaboration

Invisible Collective filmmaking duo Julien and Justen Turner are rewriting the playbook for branded storytelling. Known for their ability to blend authentic narrative with commercial objectives, their recent collaboration with Nike—a groundbreaking campaign featuring NBA legends LeBron James and son Bronny—has set the advertising world on fire, amassing over 100 million views on social platforms. This success marks a major milestone not only for Nike but also for the Turner Brothers, who have become one of the most sought-after directing teams in the industry. Diving into the creative process behind their game-changing collaboration, LBB’s April Summers explores their unique approach to filmmaking, and discusses how their backgrounds shape the “urban storytelling” that has caught the attention of global brands like Beats by Dre, Air Jordan, and Adidas. With their roots in sports videography and a passion for world-building, Julien and Justen share how they continue to push the boundaries of creativity and authenticity in their work.

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Comedy also has its place on this year’s Sundance slate, including the feature-length Hot Water and three selections in the Episodic Fiction Pilot Showcase.

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Comedy also has its place on this year’s Sundance slate, including the feature-length Hot Water and three selections in the Episodic Fiction Pilot Showcase.