First Down is a gripping documentary that profiles an underdog team in America’s first all-girls tackle football league. This band of misfits and outcasts compete for the title while tackling their struggles both on and off the field.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Carrie Stett

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made this film because I was an athlete in school and realized how much sport helped me through challenges in life. With the 50th anniversary of Title IX upon us, I wondered what barriers to equality in sports still remained, so I went looking all over the country for stories. I wanted to show the dynamics of young women in sport and, ultimately, why it matters so much to give opportunity to all who want to play

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Watch this film to see real young people speaking their truth. Hopefully audiences will relate to them in a way that sparks further conversation about the issues they are all dealing with, from addiction to depression to gender identity.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The theme that emerged as we were filming was about being your authentic self. I think that's something we can all relate to. Coach Crys does that by announcing his new pronouns on the first day of practice. It's also about inclusivity. That resonates with me because I was an athlete, and when I was little I was crushed to realize that baseball and football did not allow girls to play. We are conditioned to accept that but I ask, "Why not?"

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I went to tell a story about sports that became a story about youth mental health and how sports became a support system.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film has been written up in the Washington Post, Upworthy and featured on WGN Morning News in Chicago. It won Best Documentary Short at Cinequest Film Festival and has been selected for many other festivals. This film touches people. I regularly have educators reaching out asking if they can screen the film in their classrooms. I love this because it's a chance to reach people through storytelling. I hope it inspires young people and helps those that need support to get the help they need.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Some feedback has been around whether there is chance for injury, specifically concussions. It's the subtext of whether girls should be playing tackle football because they might get injured. Nobody is shutting down men's football for that reason. It has also surprised me to see a lot of the backlash these girls receive on social media as well.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I would like to amplify the film's message. To generate discussion around teen mental health and empower them to ignore anyone who says they "can't" do something.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I'd love to have more film festival exposure, distribution and more media exposure. Ultimately, we're finding that young people are responding to this film, so our goal is to reach that audience. I would also like to find financial backing for a feature or series I've been developing around this same subject.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

If it helps one person believe in themselves or find a way to talk to someone about a mental health challenge they're having, that's a win. I want to create a conversation that's much needed. And of course I'd love to see girl's tackle football in schools. There is so much interest, we just need to provide them a league of their own.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Should schools create girls' tackle football programs? How can girls who want to play find and/or start leagues in their communities? How do we talk to teens about their mental wellbeing and provide the appropriate resources for them to thrive?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am working on a feature version of this and a documentary on women's semi-pro players

September 2022

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

First Down

Length:

12:06

Writer

Carrie Stett and Brian Loschiavo

Director
CARRIE STETT tells stories that make an impact. Her award-winning brand films have gotten over 600 million organic views and have won the ANA Multicultural Award, a Silver Telly and have been shortlisted for a Cannes Lion.

Carrie directed Candace Parker’s film TITLE IX: 37 WORDS THAT CHANGED AMERICA for TBS. Her short film FIRST DOWN, about an underdog team of female tackle football players, won best documentary short at Cinequest 2022 and will continue on the festival circuit this year.
Carrie was previously selected for the SHOOT New Director’s Showcase featuring the top new directing talent globally. Carrie is a former college tennis player and Harvard University assistant tennis coach.

Producer

Carrie Stett and Whitney Clinkscales

Key cast:

Crys Sacco (coach), Naliyah Reuckert, Liz Rubens, Giselle Gomez, JD Vernieuw, Riley Moreno Hillman, Renica Reuckert (coach) (all others are players)

Looking for:

distributors, journalists, film festival directors

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LAdirectorgirl

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lawriterdirectorgirl/

Hashtags used:

#firstdownfilm #girlsplayfootballtoo #director #titleix

More info:
www.firstdownfilm.com and www.carriestett.com

Screened:

Cinequest