Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired U.S. and Australia/Nz rights to distribute the TIFF sports drama Backspot, directed by first-time feature filmmaker D.W. Waterson and starring Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs) and Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld).
XYZ Films will release the film domestically and has set a theatrical release for spring of 2024.
The rights deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group with James Emanuel Shapiro from XYZ Films.
In the film, an ambitious cheerleader (Jacobs) faces both new adversity and the increased drive for perfection and triumph when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad with an overbearing head coach (Evan Rachel Wood).
The film was written by Joanne Sarazen with a story by D.W. Waterson, and is produced by Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs and Martin Katz, and is executive-produced by Elliot Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C. Davidson and Katisha Shaw,...
XYZ Films will release the film domestically and has set a theatrical release for spring of 2024.
The rights deal was negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group with James Emanuel Shapiro from XYZ Films.
In the film, an ambitious cheerleader (Jacobs) faces both new adversity and the increased drive for perfection and triumph when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad with an overbearing head coach (Evan Rachel Wood).
The film was written by Joanne Sarazen with a story by D.W. Waterson, and is produced by Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs and Martin Katz, and is executive-produced by Elliot Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C. Davidson and Katisha Shaw,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Evan Rachel Wood has been cast in 'Backspot'.The 35-year-old star will play the role of professional cheer coach Eileen McNamara in the film from D.W. Waterson.The movie will star Devery Jacobs and Kudakwashe Rutendo in the lead roles as queer young athletes as mid-level cheerleaders Riley and Amanda – who are pulled from their team to join McNamara's high-performance Thunderhawks squad.The film has wrapped principal production after weeks of shooting in Toronto and has Elliot Page on board as an executive producer.Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C. Davidson and Katisha Shaw will serve as executive producers alongside Page.Waterson said: "'Backspot' has been five years in the making and now that we've completed production, we can say with all confidence that we have created something very special."Having Evan join the cast was a fantasy fulfilled as she was who we wanted for the role of Eileen from inception.
- 3/21/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe nominee Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”) has joined the cast of D.W. Waterson’s feature directorial debut “Backspot.”
Executive produced by Elliot Page and starring Devery Jacobs and Kudakwashe Rutendo in lead roles as queer young athletes, the film has wrapped principal production after weeks of filming in the Toronto area. Wood stars as professional cheer coach Eileen McNamara, head coach of the high-performance Thunderhawks squad who pulls Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Rutendo) from their mid-level cheer team to be a part of her group of intensely competitive athletes.
Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C.Davidson and Katisha Shaw serve as executive producers alongside page. The film is produced by Alona Metzer, Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs and Martin Katz.
“Backspot” will be distributed by levelFILM in Canada and will subsequently stream on Crave, followed by CBC and CBC Gem. The film is produced in association with Telefilm Canada,...
Executive produced by Elliot Page and starring Devery Jacobs and Kudakwashe Rutendo in lead roles as queer young athletes, the film has wrapped principal production after weeks of filming in the Toronto area. Wood stars as professional cheer coach Eileen McNamara, head coach of the high-performance Thunderhawks squad who pulls Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Rutendo) from their mid-level cheer team to be a part of her group of intensely competitive athletes.
Matthew Jordan Smith, J.C.Davidson and Katisha Shaw serve as executive producers alongside page. The film is produced by Alona Metzer, Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs and Martin Katz.
“Backspot” will be distributed by levelFILM in Canada and will subsequently stream on Crave, followed by CBC and CBC Gem. The film is produced in association with Telefilm Canada,...
- 3/20/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Principal photography has kicked off on “Backspot,” the upcoming queer cheerleading film starring Devery Jacobs (“Reservation Dogs”) and newcomer Kudakwashe Rutendo as the leads. It will mark helmer D.W. Waterson (“That’s My DJ”) directorial feature debut. The film is expected to shoot until mid-March in the Toronto area.
The film hails from Elliot Page’s Page Boy Productions, Night is Y and Prospero Pictures, and was written by Joanne Sarazen, based on a story by Waterson. Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, John Davidson, and Katisha Shaw executive produce; Alona Metzer, Waterson, Jacobs and Martin Katz board as producers.
“Backspot” revolves around two young cheerleaders, Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Rutendo). Both are impressive members of their mid-level cheerleading squad until a professional coach gives them a chance to level up with The Thunderhawks. There, they must learn to “negotiate their space, find their voices, and come to an understanding with the...
The film hails from Elliot Page’s Page Boy Productions, Night is Y and Prospero Pictures, and was written by Joanne Sarazen, based on a story by Waterson. Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, John Davidson, and Katisha Shaw executive produce; Alona Metzer, Waterson, Jacobs and Martin Katz board as producers.
“Backspot” revolves around two young cheerleaders, Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Rutendo). Both are impressive members of their mid-level cheerleading squad until a professional coach gives them a chance to level up with The Thunderhawks. There, they must learn to “negotiate their space, find their voices, and come to an understanding with the...
- 2/15/2023
- by Amber Dowling
- Variety Film + TV
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