What Backspot is about?

Backspot focuses on two young cheerleaders, Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo), who are both stars of their mid-level cheer squad. However, when a professional coach spots them and gives them a chance to move up to the next level on the Thunderhawks squad, they must learn to “negotiate their space, find their voices, and come to an understanding with the generation of women who came before them,” according to the film’s logline.

The film adapts director D.W. Waterson’s short film of the same name.

Who is starring it in?

The cast of Backspot is made up of a combination of familiar faces and newcomers which director Waterson touts as “absolutely stacked.”

Jacobs and Rutendo star as the co-leads. Joining them are Thomas Antony Olajide (Learn to Swim), Olunike Adeliyi (The Porter), Wendy Crewson (On the Basis of Sex), and Shannyn Sossamon (A Knight’s Tale).

“I’m so proud and excited to finally be going to camera after five long years,” said Waterson. “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.”

“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.”

What is Elliot Page’s involvement?

Backspot is being produced by Elliot Page’s Page Boy Productions, Night is Y, and Prospero Pictures.

When will audiences get to see it?

While no official release date has been announced, principal photography has begun and is expected to continue until mid-March in the Toronto area. So, it’s very possible that this film will arrive later this year or early next year.

One thing is sure: Whenever it is released, we’ll be cheering it on.