There was almost a decade of production of the film, due to changes in production staff and adjustments in casting. Grossman stated that the extended process was "actually a blessing in disguise" because it provided him the chance to conduct "thousands of hours of original interviews", and the time to come across the film's lead, Shane West, an actor he feels "did a masterful job capturing Crash on film." The film was produced by Rhino Films, Picture Machine, Red Rover Films and King Records as well as being independently produced and financed. The film premièred at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 23, 2007, and was distributed theatrically and on video by Peace Arch Entertainment beginning August 2008.