Ensemble Cast Joins Sydney Freeland’s Film ‘Rez Ball’ For Netflix

• Film Title: Rez Ball

• Cast: Jessica Matten (Dark Winds, Tribal, Frontier), Julia Jones (The Mandalorian), Amber Midthunder (Prey), Kiowa Gordon, Dallas Goldtooth (Reservation Dogs, Fall Out), Cody Lightning, Ernest Tsosie and introducing Kauchani Bratt, along with newcomers Devin Sampson-Craig, River Rayne Thomas, Jojo Jackson, Avery Hale, Hunter Redhorse Arthur, Henry Wilson Jr, Jaren K. Robledo, Damian Henry Castellane, Kusem Goodwind, and Zoey Reyes

• Quote from Sydney Freeland: 

“I could not be more enthusiastic about REZ BALL. I am so grateful to Netflix, Wise, Springhill, Chernin and Lake Ellyn for their help bringing this story to life. This is a story that is so deep and close to me, and to be able to showcase our part of America with the world in such an authentic way is deeply gratifying.

We set out to make a film from an authentic point of view, and our incredible cast has brought Sterlin’s and my words to life in that way. Our actors, culled from over 5,000 submissions, embody the spirit and energy of what ‘Rez Ball’ is, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.” 

- Sydney Freeland (Director, Screenwriter and Executive Producer)

• Production is currently underway in New Mexico, including filming on the Navajo Nation, with the permission and support of the local sovereign tribal nations. 

• Director: Sydney Freeland (Marvel Studios' Echo, Reservation Dogs, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Drunktown’s Finest)

• Screenwriters: Sydney Freeland (Drunktown’s Finest, Reservation Dogs) and Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs) inspired by Michael Powell’s critically acclaimed nonfiction sports novel Canyon Dreams, as well as the groundbreaking New York Times articles that preceded it.

• The coming-of-age sports drama about Native American basketball is being produced by The SpringHill Company, Wise Entertainment, Chernin Entertainment and Lake Ellyn Entertainment.

• Producers: Maurício Mota and Katie Elmore Mota for Wise Entertainment (East Los High); Spencer Beighley, Jamal Henderson and LeBron James for The SpringHill Company (Hustle, Shooting Stars, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Fantasy Football, House Party); and Nancy Utley for Lake Ellyn Entertainment

• Executive Producers:Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping for Chernin Entertainment; Maverick Carter for The SpringHill Company (Hustle, Shooting Stars, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Fantasy Football, House Party); Sydney Freeland; Sterlin Harjo and Scott Lumpkin.

• Inspired by Michael Powell’s critically acclaimed nonfiction sports novel Canyon Dreams, as well as the groundbreaking New York Times articles that preceded it, Rez Ball explores the raw and exhilarating world of “reservation basketball” with its unique, lightening-quick pace that is rumored to have influenced top NBA teams and coaches throughout the years.

• Logline: The story follows the Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from Chuska, New Mexico that must band together after losing their star player if they want to keep their quest for a state championship alive. It’s an all-American underdog story about Native American kids and coaches told from the inside-out. 

• Rez Ball Team production photo can be downloaded here. Pictured from left:  Jaren K. Robledo, Hunter Redhorse Arthur, Jojo Jackson, Devin Sampson-Craig, Henry Wilson, Jr., Kauchani Bratt, Kusem Goodwind,  Avery Hale, Damian Castellane, River Rayne Thomas

• Photo by: Lewis Jacobs,Unit Still Photographer 

• Owned Headshots for Jessica, Amber and Zoey Here

• Julia Jones does not own a headshot, but would appreciate you considering an image from Getty