By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
“Game Change Game”, a new feature film by NBPA’s head of content Christina Norman, is set to debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on June 14, 2022.
The film, produced in the summer of 2020, documents the impact of social justice issues in the league and the players’ and teams’ decision to take action with several boycotts in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by the police and the rise of “Black Lives Matter” movement.
NBPA President CJ McCollum is among the several players featured in the film, and alongside journalist Marc Spears and the filmmakers, they will moderate a discussion following the premiere of the film.
Per the press release:
The documentary “Game Change Game,” will debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 14, 2022. The premiere of the film will be followed by a discussion moderated by journalist Marc Spears with CJ McCollum, the President of the National Basketball Players Association, and the Filmmakers.
“Game Change Game” is a production of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the player-led union representing the 450 professional basketball players in the NBA. The film was made during the Summer of 2020, when the pandemic and social justice reckoning consumed the national discourse. Through personal footage shot by players and interviews with a range of thought leaders, recording artists, and journalists, the documentary chronicles how NBA players came together and decided that “sitting on the bench was not an option” as they made the collective decision to confront and address social justice issues in America.
Players CJ McCollum, Jaylen Brown, Andre Iguodala, Malcolm Brogdon, Garrett Temple, Donovan Mitchell, JaVale McGee, Danny Green, Rudy Gobert, Matisse Thybulle, and Tobias Harris appear in the film along with legends Julius Erving, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. Other noteworthy appearances include NBA coach and former player Doc Rivers. Stephen A. Smith, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Marc Spears, Killer Mike, as well as social justice activists and victims of police brutality. Voices from the NBPA leadership round out the cast, offering an insider’s perspective on the events of a basketball season unlike any other.
The film was created by Christina Norman, head of content for the NBPA’s Innovation Engine THINK450, and produced by Norman, Jonathan Lia of Good Company and Whitney Jackson. “Game Change Game” is a creative collaboration directed by Spike Jordan and Maxime Quoilin, who are known for their elevated, thought-provoking conceptual direction and ability to craft dynamic, breakthrough visuals.
“Game Change Game” is an integral part of THINK450’s content strategy, which focuses on amplifying the voices of the players and connecting them to audiences through storytelling.
In alignment with NBPA’s philanthropic initiatives, the Players Association invited members from local community-based grassroots basketball organizations to be their special guests at the “Game Change Game” Tribeca Film Festival premiere.