Actor, producer and activist Elliot Page has boarded Backspot – a queer cheerleading drama starring Devery Jacobs and directed by D.W. Waterson – as executive producer.
The indie film marks a feature debut for Page’s Page Boy Productions and Jacobs’ Night is Y banner, which she launched with D.W. Waterson as an LGBTQ+ and Indigenous-owned production company based in Toronto. UTA will represent the sales rights for the project.
Backspot will see Jacobs play Riley, who along with another character, Amanda, are members of a competitive cheerleading team as they navigate athletic careers, their budding romance and a cheerleading coach’s outdated ideas about what it means to be a queer woman in the spotlight.
The film’s title derives from a backspotter, or someone who lifts and throws a flyer, or top girl, into the air during cheerleading stunts. 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 wrote the screenplay for Backspot, based in part on a story by Waterson. “We’ve been working on Backspot for the past five years and we’re so excited to finally be able to bring it to life. As queer creators, and a former competitive gymnast, we’re passionate about telling stories from our communities and are so excited to share this film and highlight fearless queer athletes, Jacobs and Waterson said in a statement.
“Our company’s mission is to tell uplifting, intersectional stories that explore topics like generational queerness and mental health, and this film does that and more. We couldn’t be more excited for D.W.’s masterful directorial skills, along with the stellar talent of Devery Jacobs, to bring this story to life on screen,” added Page and co-executive producer Matt Jordan Smith in their own statement.
Jacobs had a breakout role in Canadian indie Rhymes For Young Ghouls and, in addition to Reservation Dogs, has television credits in Peacock’s Rutherford Falls, Netflix’s The Order, American Gods at Starz and Canadian drama This Life. Jacobs has also written and directed several short films and co-wrote and stars in the independent film This Place.
“I have followed Devery’s career with great interest since her outstanding performance in Rhymes For Young Ghouls. D.W.’s breakout web series That’s My DJ showcases incredible technical prowess, storytelling confidence and just plain fun. I’m excited to work with them and the Page Boy team to bring Backspot to the screen,” added Katz.
