Backspot

Are you ready for the greatest queer cheerleader adventure since But I’m A Cheerleader? You’ve come to the right place. We are majorly excited to open GAZE 2024 with D.W. Waterson’s thrill-a-minute lesbian cheer squad drama, Backspot. We are additionally honoured that director D.W. will be with us in person to introduce the film for our Opening Gala, presented in partnership with our friends at Sporting Pride. 

Cheerleader Riley (Devery Jacobs) has the chance to cheer for famous all-star squad, Thunderhawks, but she must also navigate her panic attacks, and manage her intense relationship with fellow cheerleader girlfriend Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo), all under the watchful eye of their take-no-prisoners Coach McNamara, played to smouldering perfection by Evan Rachel Wood. Queer girls rule the roost, competition is fierce, and female friendships are stretched to breaking in this rollercoaster ride through a world of sporting excellence. The camerawork is incredible, the closing cheer routine, filmed all in one continuous shot, is going to take your breath away. Executive Produced by Elliot Page, the film makes a neat bookend with our Closing Gala to usher in a new generation of LGBTQIA film-making talent. 

Presented in partnership with Sporting Pride 

Dir. D.W. Waterson 

Writers: Joanne Sarazen, D.W. Waterson 

Producers: Devery Jacobs, Martin Katz, Finley MacNeil, Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson

Canada/ 2023 

1h 33m

This screening of Backspot is supported by the Embassy of Canada to Ireland.