If you’re looking for something that’ll make you think and feel, you’ve got to check out Changing the Game. Foton.Pictures and Superfilms have just announced that their award-winning documentary is hitting UK streaming platforms right after the Olympics. This film isn’t just about sports; it’s about the real lives of three transgender high school athletes dealing with everything life throws at them.
Directed by Michael Barnett (Superheroes, Becoming Bulletproof) and produced by Alex Schmider (Chasing Chasing Amy, Disclosure) and Clare Tucker (Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War), Changing the Game tells the stories of Sarah, Andraya, and Mack. These teens are more than just athletes – they’re fighting for their right to compete and be accepted for who they are.
Sarah is a skier who’s also making waves as a teen policymaker. Andraya is a track star whose story has sparked major media attention, and Mack Beggs made headlines as a Texas State Champion wrestler, praised by some and criticised by others. Through their stories, we see the real impact of harmful anti-trans policies and the resilience needed to push through.
This documentary isn’t just racking up awards for nothing. Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, it’s been nominated for a Primetime Emmy and a Peabody Award and has won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary, among other accolades. These recognitions highlight the film’s importance in sparking conversations about fairness and acceptance in sports.
Lucy Mukerjee, Senior Programmer at Tribeca, put it perfectly: “Trans athletes have to work harder than their cisgender peers to thrive in their field while also facing daily harassment and discrimination. The kids in this film have found sports as a way to channel the negativity around them into a positive, to gain a sense of self-worth and validation. This film is their urgent, articulate plea for acceptance.”
Michael Barnett, the director, shared his hopes for the UK release: “We are thrilled that the film will be released on streaming platforms in the UK, and we hope it opens up meaningful and important conversations around acceptance, not only on the field but across all areas of our daily lives.”
So, make some time to watch Changing the Game. It’s a powerful look at the lives of these incredible teens, showing the strength it takes to be true to yourself in a world that’s often less than understanding.
