Life Without Basketball
Year: 2018
Country:
United States
Language:
English
Run Time:
89 minutes
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir grew up loving basketball. In high school she became the highest scorer in Massachusetts history. She then went on to play at the University of Memphis and Indiana State, where she gained notoriety as the first Division 1 player to wear hijab. This accolade sent her to the White House, where President Obama praised her for breaking barriers. But things changed when Abdul-Qaadir’s college career ended. As she looked to play professionally in Europe, she learned that the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) restricted players from wearing headgear. For the first time, she was forced to choose between her devout faith and the sport she cherished so much. But why should she have to? Abdul-Qaadir decided to challenge the rule, petitioning FIBA and creating an awareness campaign about discrimination in sports. LIFE WITHOUT BASKETBALL follows her as she awaits a ruling from FIBA. During this time, she begins coaching Muslim girls in an effort to encourage them to follow their dreams. This inspiring documentary is proof that one person can truly make a difference. —E.F.
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Directors
Tim O'Donnell, Jon Mercer
Tim O'Donnell is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning documentary filmmaker. His work has appeared on ESPN, NBC, PBS, OutsideTV, the Sundance Film Festival, and events around the world. His films have garnered the Audience Award at the Independent Film Festival of Boston, Jury Prizes at the Phoenix Film Festival and Woods Hole Film Festival, and IndieWire's Project of the Month. His most recent film, “Not a War Story”, premiered at the Academy of Motion Pictures.
Director and editor Jon Mercer’s work has been broadcast nationally and helped expand viewership for a number of online platforms. His films have screened internationally at festivals and can also be seen on PBS. Mercer’s passions for travel and active adventure have led to a career pursuit of stories that are hard to reach, often at the margins of culture and nature.
Filmography
LIFE WITHOUT BASKETBALL (2018)
Producers
Jon Mercer, Tim O'Donnell
Cinematography
Jon Mercer, Tim O'Donnell
Editing
Tim O'Donnell, Jon Mercer
Pixela Pictura
http://pixelapictura.com/lifewithoutbasketball
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