Biography

Johnston's production and writing experience covers more then two dozen TV series, documentaries, specials and almost 50 commercials. His work for major Fortune 500 companies, publications and news outlets have earned him recognition and accolades world-wide. As a Colorado native Johnston won his first film festival award at age 17, that lead him to the Academy Awards and then onto attending USC Film School. In the 90's Johnston wrote and produced more then 30 hours of documentary television and filmed in over 20 countries. Academy Award winner Brett Morgan (The Kid Stays in the Picture, Montage of Heck) and Johnston teamed up with Anonymous Content to write, produce and direct a highly acclaimed MTV documentary TV project "True Life: Trial By Fire". The docu-series about a prison fire camp for Juvenile offenders would go on to be one of the highest rated at MTV that year. Johnston's first hybrid documentary film "September Tapes" filmed on location in Afghanistan 2002 about a journalist on the trail of Osama Bin Laden was a hit at the 2004 Sundance film festival. It was distributed in 28 countries, and in 25+ film festivals worldwide. It went on to be covered in most major media around the world. This led Johnston to be a regular contributor to CNN and to write across numerous print mediums on the subject of Afghanistan and ail Queada. After four years of work in Beirut and Turkey on numerous projects, Johnston wrote and produced the feature length documentary "The Three Hikers". This five year project chronicles the harrowing battle to free the three American's who were jailed in Iran 2011-2013. It premiered to acclaim at last years prestigious AFI Silver Docs film festival and recently had it's 20 city theatrical. This year along with the help of three Oscar Nominated producers, Johnston's highly anticipated feature doc "State of Control" about a investigation into China's control over the internet and communications was completed. It is currently receiving a slurry of press from Washington Post, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, LA Times and is beginning it's release. Hot Doc's just premiered Johnston's Hot Doc's just premiered Johnston's "This Cold Life" feature doc that was shot for Time Inc. in Svalbard the Northern most full time civilization in the arctic. Johnston continues to be a contributor and lead creator for Forbes.

- IMDb mini biography by: M Abbott