EXCLUSIVE: The Film Sales Company has added the sports drama The Real All Americans to its Cannes roster based on Washington Post sportswriter Sally Jenkins’ book about an all-conquering Native American college football team.
Sydney Freeland (pictured), whose credits include the 2024 TIFF Netflix Rez Ball about a Native American high school basketball team, will direct from a screenplay by Best Shot (aka Hoosiers) writer Angelo Pizzo and Sierra Teller Ornelas.
The book charts the rise of the Carlisle Indian School, whose early 20th century team was founded by Brigadier General Richard Pratt. In a single season the team beat Harvard, Yale, and the rest of the Ivy League teams, eventually facing off in a final game grudge match against West Point led by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Real All Americans is the first title from Standing Arrow Productions launched by producer Ray Halbritter, the Oneida Indian Nation Representative and CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises. The Film Sales Company president Andrew Herwitz has begun talks with buyers on the Croisette and will serve as executive producer.
Herwitz negotiated the Freeland deal with her representatives as well as the option for the book with CAA on behalf of Jenkins.
Herwitz said “This is a project which we chased, and miraculously managed to option a few years ago and have been blessed with an extraordinary creative team to bring it to this point. It has proven to be an attractive commercial proposition since it provides tremendous roles for young Native American actors as well two starring roles for veteran box office draws. Think Hoosiers meets The Great Debaters and you begin to get a sense of the emotional scope of the film.”
No comments yet