Actor, producer, and activist Elliot Page has landed Backspot—a queer cheerleading drama starring Devery Jacobs and directed by DW Waterson—as executive producer.
This independent film marks the debut of Page’s Page Boy Productions and Jacobs’ Night is Y banner, her production with DW Waterson as a Toronto-based LGBTQ+ and Aboriginal-owned production launched together with the company.
Backspot will see Jacobs play Riley, who along with another character, Amanda, will become competitive in their athletic career The members of the cheerleading squad, their budding romance and the cheerleading coach’s stale idea of what it means to be queer in the spotlight.
The movie takes its name from a backcourt, or a guy who lifts and throws flyers during a cheerleading stunt, or top girl. Jacobs and Waterson will produce Backspot with Martin Katz’s Prospero Pictures, a longtime producer of David Cronenberg films such as A Dangerous Method, Spider, Cosmopolis and Maps to the Stars .
Joanne Sarazen for Backspot The script is based in part on Watson’s story. “We’ve been working on Backspot for the past five years and we’re excited to finally make it a reality. As queer creators and ex-competitive gymnasts, we’re passionate about Telling the stories of our community and are excited to share this film highlighting fearless queer athletes,” Jacobs and Watson said in a statement.
“Our company’s mission is to tell noble, intersecting stories that explore topics such as generational queerness and mental health, and this film does just that, and more. Very excited about DW’s virtuosity as a director and Devery Jacobs’ star talent to bring this story to the screen,” Page and executive producer Matt Jordan Smith added in their own statement.
Jacobs in Canadian Independent Films Rhymes For Young Ghouls and Reservation Dogs In Peacock has TV show credits in Rutherford Falls , The Order by Netflix , American Gods by Starz and Canadian Drama This Life . Jacobs has also written and directed several short films and co-wrote and starred in the independent feature filmThis Place.
. She has attracted a lot of interest since her great performance in Rhymes For Young Ghouls . DW’s breakthrough web seriesThat’s My DJ showcases incredible technical prowess, storytelling confidence and simple fun. I’m excited to work with them and the Page Boy team to bring Backspot to the screen,” added Katz.
