'I am beyond looking forward to highlighting both of these communities' - Elliot Page's 'Backspot' celebrates queer youth and cheer

Elliot Page's "Backspot": A Spirited Leap into Queer Cheerleading and Youth Empowerment

The cheerleading world has often been depicted in cinema, but never quite like this. Under the banner of Elliot Page's Page Boy Productions, the new queer cheerleading film "Backspot" is taking the stage, promising a raw and kickass depiction of resilience, youth, and cheer athleticism. The project marks an energetic collaboration that's been brewing for five whole years!

The Cast, the Cheer, and the Celebration of Queer Youth

With the film that was set to shoot until mid-March in Toronto, the cast, including Devery Jacobs, Kudakwashe Rutendo, and a lineup of stars like Thomas Antony Olajide and Shannyn Sossamon, is absolutely stacked, as reported by Variety.

"Competitive cheer is incredibly athletic, and our young, queer youth are so resilient. I am beyond looking forward to highlighting both of these communities in 'Backspot.'” proclaimed director D.W. Waterson.

The plot of "Backspot" centers around two cheerleaders, Riley and Amanda, who get a shot at glory with The Thunderhawks. The pair navigate their way through challenging relationships with the generation of women before them, learning to "negotiate their space, find their voices," according to the film's logline.

Anticipation and Energy: A Film with a Kick

With excitement bubbling over, Waterson shared the emotional journey to this moment: “I’m so proud and excited to finally be going to camera after five long years. We’ve assembled an absolutely stacked cast, and an incredible crew, and we are thrilled to be creating something that’s truly kickass, raw, and that has a magic energy behind it.”

The anticipation extends to distribution, with UTA taking care of international and U.S. rights, and LevelFILM handling Canadian distribution, including a subsequent drop date on the streaming service Crave.

"Backspot" is not just a movie about cheerleading. It's a spirited embrace of the queer community, an exploration of youth's resilience, and a showcase of athleticism that often goes unrecognized in competitive cheer. Produced in collaboration with giants like Telefilm Canada and CBC Films, "Backspot" is set to be a game-changer in the intersection of sports and LGBTQ+ cinema.

In a world craving more diverse narratives, "Backspot" might just be the cheer we need. With the cameras finally rolling, here's to hoping that the film lands not just a perfect routine but also an impactful message about acceptance, ambition, and, of course, the electrifying world of cheerleading.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)