Kinnane Brothers
 | This article is an orphan, as no other articles link to it. Please introduce links to this page from related articles; try the Find link tool for suggestions. (June 2025) |
Kinnane Brothers | |
|---|---|
.jpg?lang=en) From left to right: Brendan, Charles, Peter, Wil, John, Daniel, Patrick Kinnane, and Jeffrey Azize at the Austin Film Festival, 2019 | |
| Born | |
| Occupation | Filmmakers |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Notable work | Solo Mio, Home Team, Water Brother: The Sid Abbruzzi Story |
The Kinnane Brothers are an American filmmaking collective from Little Compton, Rhode Island, composed of eight brothers—Charles, Daniel, Patrick, Brendan, Peter, John, and William Kinnane—and their brother-in-law, Jeffrey Azize. They are known for their collaborative work in directing, writing, producing, and editing narrative films, documentaries, and digital content, including the upcoming Solo Mio (2026); Home Team (2022), their first feature film, starring Kevin James and produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions; and Water Brother: The Sid Abbruzzi Story (2024), as well as a series of viral shorts made in collaboration with James.
Early life and background
[edit]The brothers were raised in Little Compton, Rhode Island, where they developed a passion for filmmaking from a young age. According to The Boston Globe, they began making videos together as children, a hobby that evolved into a professional career.[1] In 2017, they formally launched a family-run film and media company. Their integrated, in-house production model—covering writing, directing, cinematography, editing, and post-production—has been highlighted by outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.[2][3]
Kevin James collaborations and viral shorts (2020)
[edit]In 2020, the Kinnane Brothers partnered with actor Kevin James to create over 50 comedic shorts during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Notable among these was the Sound Guy series, which featured James as a boom operator digitally inserted into famous movie scenes. The brothers wrote, directed, filmed, and edited the videos while quarantining with James.[4]
The Hollywood Reporter called them the “secret weapon” behind the viral success.[5]
Variety praised their “talent for crossing mediums to create click-y and binge-able movies, shows, and videos.”[6]
No Film School described them as “a full-service film crew and production house creating magic during quarantine.”[4]
Home Team (2022)
[edit]In 2022, Charles and Daniel Kinnane directed the Netflix sports comedy Home Team, starring Kevin James and produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions—making it their first feature‑length film. It reached #1 in the U.S. and remained in Netflix’s global Top 10 for multiple weeks.[7]
Water Brother: The Sid Abbruzzi Story (2024)
[edit].png?lang=en)
Released in 2024, Water Brother: The Sid Abbruzzi Story is a feature documentary chronicling the life of Sid Abbruzzi, a prominent East Coast surf and skate icon. The film explores his decades-long commitment to surf culture, environmental preservation, and public access to skateparks and surf breaks. Through personal interviews, never-before-seen archival footage, and cinematic visuals, the documentary features appearances by Tony Hawk, Shepard Fairey, and other figures from the surf and skate world.[citation needed]
The film captures the final chapter of Abbruzzi’s famed Water Brothers Surf & Skate shop as it faces demolition, while reflecting on his influence within the broader cultural landscape. Directed, produced, shot, and edited by the Kinnane Brothers, the documentary premiered to over 5,000 attendees at Fort Adams during NewportFILM and later received a limited theatrical release.[8]
Solo Mio (2026)
[edit]Solo Mio is the brothers’ first nationwide theatrical release. It was directed by Charles and Daniel Kinnane, with a screenplay by Kevin James, John Kinnane, and Patrick Kinnane. Peter Kinnane served as editor, with Jeffrey Azize and William Kinnane as executive producers and Brendan Kinnane as co-executive producer. Angel Studios will distribute the film in theaters nationwide on February 6, 2026.[9]
Screenplayed
[edit]In 2017, then 17-year-old John Kinnane, the youngest of the brothers, launched Screenplayed, a digital platform that highlights how iconic movie scenes evolve from the written page to the final cut. Managed collectively by the Kinnane Brothers, the account features side-by-side comparisons of original scripts with their final edits and has grown to over 3 million followers across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The platform has collaborated with numerous studios, distributors, and streamers, and is widely used as a resource for film education and storytelling analysis.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "How 8 Rhode Island brothers formed their own film company and made a hit Netflix movie". The Boston Globe. February 1, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "Meet the Secret Weapon Behind Kevin James' Viral Short Films". The Hollywood Reporter. August 29, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "Viral Hitmakers The Kinnane Brothers Sign With UTA". Variety. April 20, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Meet the DIY Team Behind Kevin James' Incredible Short Films". No Film School. July 13, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "How Kevin James Became a YouTube Star". The Hollywood Reporter. October 28, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "How Kevin James and His Team Turned YouTube Into a Quarantine Hit Factory". Variety. March 4, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "Little Compton brothers making a splash with new family film on Netflix". WPRI. 8 February 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "'Water Brother' documentary premieres in Newport". NewportRI.com. August 21, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ "Angel Studios Sets Nationwide Release For 'Solo Mio' Starring Kevin James, Alyson Hannigan & Jonathan Roumie". Deadline. May 6, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "Script to Screen: John Kinnane". Focus Features. Retrieved June 28, 2025.