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Through Our Stories

A Native hoops legend, Rise Above founder Jaci McCormack is the heart and soul of our organization. Her story is one of hard work and hope in the face of adversity — but it’s also a story rarely seen on the screen.

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A Powerful Film That Inspires Native Youth to Rise Above Challenges

Native American success stories don’t usually make it into the movies. But for young people, representation matters. Media portrayals of Native young people’s lives affect how others see them — and, more importantly, how they see themselves.
So we’re making the movie that’s missing.
“Rise Above,” the feature-length film, will tell Jaci’s story as she broke barriers on and off the court. It stands to inspire a generation of Native kids and female athletes.
At the same time, it will create a long-term revenue source that helps to sustain our mission.
Thanks to the new digital landscape, more audiences will be able to watch “Rise Above” in more ways: at home, at the theater, at community events. Our funding model ensures that as much of the film’s revenue as possible goes back to our youth programs.

If you are interested in being involved with the Rise Above film project please reach out to [email protected]

Read the article on Deadline
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FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the film’s content, intentions, and its relation to Rise Above’s goals.

Ultimately, Rise Above is a film about family and the power of connection. It follows a young Jaci McCormack through a crisis and her internal battle to do what’s right for her community.

Everyone! The Rise Above film is a feature film for the whole family.

Rise Above is in pre-production and not yet available to watch, but stay tuned!

Yes! We would love to engage people who have experience in sport, film, and fundraising. Use the subscription below or email [email protected]

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