American West Pitch with ESPN 2020

For the fourth consecutive year, IF/Then & Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) partnered with Big Sky Documentary Film Festival to support the art of short-form documentary storytelling in the American West. In 2020, we welcomed ESPN as a supporting partner of the pitch.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Six projects focusing on American West stories exploring issues around health through the lens of athleticism, sports, and competition have been selected to enter the IF/Then Shorts American West Pitch with ESPN at Big Sky Documentary Film Festival on February 20, 2020 from 9 AM - 11 AM at the Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula, Montana.

PITCH FINALISTS:

LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE - Winner

Director: Kelly Bouma

Lois is 83. Gettin’ old sucks, but she’s rolling with it. When age slows her down, what does she do in her spare time? She bowls. Satisfying Lois’ competitive spirit, bowling keeps her active and out of social isolation many older Montanans are facing at a rapid rate.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

Director: Dina Burlis

Producer: Melissa Azizi

Nastasya, 19, is poised to become the first woman of color to ever compete in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2020 Olympic Games. Our film follows the physical, financial and emotional challenges she faces on her unprecedented journey against all odds.

HEALTHY STRUGGLE

Co-Director/Producer: Dania N. Cabello

Co-Director: Yvan Iturriaga

Two freestyle soccer players, one of the most expensive cities in the US, and physical expressions of freedom intertwined in the pursuit of health and reclamation of public space through play.

GIRL V. HORSE

Director/Co-Producer: Nicole Teeny

Co-Producer: Mariel Sarkis

After recovering from a neurological disorder, I set out on a lifelong goal: to race a marathon against a horse. This whimsical and poetic documentary explains how humans evolved to be runners while exploring the competing relationship between body versus the mind and girl versus horse.

ONE WORD SAWALMEM

Director/Producer: Natasha Deganello Giraudie

Director: Michael “Pom” Preston

The son of the Winnemem Wintu tribal chief receives guidance from the spirits to organize a 300-mile athletic and prayerful journey by foot, bike, kayak, horseback to help California recognize the wisdom in native worldview and the clues it offers for untangling ourselves from the climate crisis.

THE LAST 500

Director/Producer: Nico Sandi

Ellen Tomek and Meghan O’Leary have more than 30 years of combined rowing experience. They’ve been rowing together in the double, a famously unforgiving boat, for more than 6 years. After falling short of a medal in the Rio Olympics they only have one more chance: Tokyo 2020. They know what they need to do to get there, but what comes next may be just as difficult.