Hoop Dreams

No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson begins a run of festival screenings this Sunday, March 14th with its official world premiere at SXSW, before making appearances at Cleveland, SilverDocs, Dallas, Sarasota, the Midwest Independent Film Festival, Full Frame and Nashville. And those are just the ones we can tell you about!

Director Steve James will be in attendance at the SXSW premiere, and will also take part in a panel discussion during the festival. The film also screens in Austin on March 19th.

Following SXSW, James will take the film to the Cleveland Film Festival for two screenings on March 20th and 21st, before presenting a special SilverDocs screening of the film in Maryland on March 29th. No Crossover is also confirmed to screen in Chicago for the Midwest Film Festival on April 6th, and at Full Frame on April 9th. Expect confirmed dates for Dallas, Sarasota and Nashville (where Steve James will also present his classic film Hoop Dreams) to be announced very soon.

Basketball magazine SLAM interviewed Kartemquin director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) about his latest film delving into the sport, No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson. Read the interview here.

In advance of the film's world premiere at SXSW on March 14th, Steve James also answered 5 questions from Austin360.com, coming up with this insight: "I think Iverson is something of a Rashomon-like figure: how you view him says as much about you as it does about him." Read the rest of the article.

WYCC Chicago's "The Professors" will discuss Kartemquin's classic documentary Hoop Dreams with the film's Executive Producer Gordon Quinn, star Arthur Agee, and Chicago Bulls legend Bob "Butterbean" Love. The show also repeats at 6.30pm on Sunday March 7th. Get more information.

Arthur Agee and William Gates, subjects of the classic documentary Hoop Dreams, attended a special screening of the film last Friday in Tucson, Arizona organized by the Tucson Urban League and Kartemquin Films's Kelley Moseley. Arthur and William shared how their involvement in the film has led them to dedicate their lives to stressing the importance of education and encouraging young athletes to plan for a life beyond sports alone.

Slam Magazine visited the event and concluded: "The simple fact of the matter is Arthur Agee and William Gates are focused on improving lives. They were fortunate enough to be successful in life in ways other than basketball. And as Hoop Dreams so gracefully depicted, not everyone is that lucky." Read the rest of the article.

The Sundance Institute will host a free public screening of Kartemquin's legendary documentary Hoop Dreams at 7pm on March 4th 2010. Director Steve James will be in attendance for a post-screening discussion of the film, which will screen at the Park City Public Library. For more information, click here.

The multi-award-winning film - often claimed to be the greatest documentary ever made - first captured public attention when it won the Audience Award at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival. This is the latest of a series of reprise screenings that have coincided with the 15th anniversary of the film, marking its continued relevance and ability to engage new audiences. Events in Chicago and New York last year were wildly popular, and other upcoming screenings include a February 26th event in Tucson, Arizona, at which the film's stars Arthur Agee and William Gates will be present.

Kartemquin would like to acknowledge the passing of our longtime friend and valued sound mixer Ric Coken, who died on Dec 31 2009. Ric, a professor in Columbia College Chicago's Film and Video Department, worked with Kartemquin over a number of years, getting sound mizing credits on Hoop Dreams, Golub, The Last Pullman Car, and Taylor Chain.

Read an obituary of Ric Coken here.

An engaged and enthusiastic audience ventured out into the cold to watch Kartemquin's classic 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams in Evanston, IL yesterday. What was most notable about the crowd was the number of families with young children in attendance, clearly showing the continuing legacy of this great film. After the screening finished, the film's stars William Gates and Arthur Agee took part in a lengthy question and answer session, before autographing postcards and posters for the delighted fans, both old and new.

For photographs of this and other Hoop Dreams anniversary events, please visit our Facebook page.

Kartemquin would like to thank REELTIME for co-organizing the event, and our other outreach partners: All Our Sons Fund of the Evanston Community Foundation, and Black Men and Boys Initiative - Evanston.

The image also posted here is taken from Basketball Pioneers, a newspaper founded by Jordan Lee, who was inspired to become a writer after watching Hoop Dreams. He interviewed the film's director Steve James during Steve's recent trip to China for the IDOCS International Documentary Forum in Beijing, where Hoop Dreams and Stevie played for the first time to receptive Chinese audiences.

Mr. Lee stated that "at least half a million people" have read this article, "and from I have heard they loved it. I am sure that they are looking forward to watching the new Allen Iverson documentary, which I believe will be a great movie."

For more photos and interviews with Steve James from IDOCS, visit the offfical website.

Tune in to Comcast's SportsNite tomorrow night at 10:30pm to catch interviews and footage with Filmmakers Steve James and Peter Gilbert, as well as Arthur Agee and William Gates, from our recent Hoop Dreams 15th anniversary celebration at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Watch nationwide on Comcast cable channel 37, Direct TV Channel 640, and Dish TV Channel 429.

Kartemquin is proud to release the video of noted author and journalist Alex Kotlowitz (There Are No Children Here) delivering the keynote speech from our recent 15th anniversary celebration of Hoop Dreams. Discussing the impact of the film, his current film collaboration with director Steve James (The Interrupters), and the importance of Kartemquin's ongoing legacy of social issue documentary filmmaking, Kotlowitz states:

"Kartemquin, in my mind, is a national treasure. It's a place that nurtures storytellers and storytelling. What I've come to so admire about Kartemquin is that it recognizes the often fierce power of narrative. Because of that, in these times, I think Kartemquin feels absolutely essential."

Click here to watch the full video.

Chinese papers are building up anticipation for the inaugural Beijing IDOCS International Documentary Forum, opening this weekend at the Beijing Film Academy. At the unprecedented event, which China's Global Times called "a week of pure delight" for documentary buffs, acclaimed director Steve James will present the Chinese premieres of the classic Kartemquin documentaries Hoop Dreams and Stevie as an unmissable double-bill on Sunday December 13th. Steve James will also present a masterclass on the production of Stevie on December 14th and participate in a number of panels.

Visit the official website for information and tickets.

Acclaimed Kartemquin filmmaker Steve James will attend the Chinese premieres of his award-winning documentaries Hoop Dreams and Stevie this December in Beijing. The screenings are a part of the IDOCS International Documentary Forum, a week-long celebration of documentary film taking place at the nation's top cinema school, the Beijing Film Academy, from December 12-17. 

The unmissable double-bill of the acknowledged classics Hoop Dreams and Stevie occurs on December 13th. Despite garenering numerous awards and praise over the years, neither film has ever played inside the world's most populous nation until now. Steve James will participate in Q+A's after both screenings.

Steve will also take part in several panels discussing his own career and the current state of documentary film throughout the week (see our events page for full listings). A highlight of the week will be an exclusive, in-depth 'master class' on the production of Stevie on December 14th, in which Steve James will discuss the film with director Peter Wintonick (Manufacturing Consent).

For more information, please visit the official website.

As the 15th anniversary celebration of Hoop Dreams continues with tonight's SOLD OUT screening at IFC Center in New York, the internet is alive with people sharing their memories of the film.

Just as with the film's 1994 release, the great critic Roger Ebert is leading the way, with his brilliant article on what he calls "the great American documentary" and "the best film of the 1990's" inspiring a number of other bloggers to share their own accounts of how the film has inspired them over the years. Read Ebert's piece here, and some of the follow-up blogs here, here, here and here.

One notable blog was published by former Fine Line Features President Ira Deutchman, who shares his own poignant memories of how he put his career on the line to ensure as many people as possible saw this film, and also on the Oscar controversy surrounding the film's lack of a nomination for 'Best Documentary'… and 'Best Picture.' For what he claims is the "true story" on the Oscar controversy, read Steve Pond's excellent blog at TheWrap.

The anniversary also inspired Nathan Rabin of the Onion AV Club to watch the film for the first time, and lead to a great interview with Steve James and Peter Gilbert on True/Slant's Chicago blog.

Finally, click for photos and video of the 15th anniversary event. Thanks to everyone who attended for supporting Hoop Dreams and Kartemquin Films!

11/12/09 - Read Stranger Than Fiction's thoughts on the event (with pictures!) here.

Kartemquin Films wishes to thank all the fans, friends and family who attended last night's fantastic celebration of the 15th anniversary of Hoop Dreams, 'An Evening with Kartemquin Films.'

Executive Director Justine Nagan welcomed guests to the sold-out evening at the Gene Siskel Film Center which was MCeed by WXRT's Marty Lennartz. The event then began with a brief visual recap of the film leading into a memorable panel discussion, moderated by the Community Renewal Foundation's Dr. Calvin Morris, featuring the film's subjects Arthur Agee and William Gates and filmmakers Steve James and Peter Gilbert. Frederick Marx, the third part of the filmmaking team was unable to attend. They discussed the friendships they formed and the lessons they learned during the 7 years of making the film, and the legacy and impact of this Oscar-nominated documentary on cinema and their own lives.

The audience was also treated to a compelling keynote speech from author Alex Kotlowitz (There Are No Children Here); a discussion on the hugely impactful community outreach campaign for Kartemquin's In the Family between director Joanna Rudnick and Dr. Pamela Ganschow; and sneak previews of Kartemquin's works in progress The Interrupters (Steve James) and Invisible Seasons (Maria Finitzo). Kartemquin's co-founder and Artistic Director Gordon Quinn and Board Chairman Steve Whisnant closed the event by emphasizing the importance and value of Kartemquin's unique brand of cinematic social inquiry and ongoing support for the documentary filmmaking community.

We were honored to also have the great critic and champion of the film, Roger Ebert in attendance. Read his thoughts on the evening.

For video of the event and coverage by the Medill news network, click here. For many photos from the evening, please visit our facebook page. Read an interview with Hoop Dreams cinematographer and co-producer Peter Gilbert here.

Kartemquin would like to again thank all who attended, and in particular acknowledge the generosity of our major donors for the anniversary:

Sage Foundation

Rita Blickenstaff in memory of Thomas S. Favorite

Kim Blickenstaff in memory of Eddie Favorite

Jack Wing

~ Hoop Dreams will screen at the IFC Center in New York this Monday. Reserve tickets.

On November 4th at the Gene Siskel Film Center, Kartemquin Films will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of their iconic documentary, Hoop Dreams. The event, in benefit of the Kartemquin Films Development Fund, is an opportunity to hear from the filmmakers and subjects of this award-winning film, often cited as the greatest documentary ever made.

To encourage the next generation of documentary filmmakers to engage with this groundbreaking work, Kartemquin is now offering a 50% discounted rate on individual tickets to the event for those aged 25 or under. Click this link for more information - http://kartemquin.com/films/hoop-dreams/15

The event will provide a one-time opportunity to mingle with leading documentary filmmakers and the subjects of the film, Arthur Agee and William Gates, while also supporting excellent documentary filmmaking in Chicago. Also, there will be the chance to hear from other award-winning filmakers and see exclusive sneak previews of Kartemquin's works in progress.

Also speaking on the night will be Alex Kotlowitz, author of acclaimed novel There Are No Children Here, and emcee for the evening WXRT's Marty Lennartz.

Watch NBC Chicago news' coverage of our Hoop Dreams 15th Anniversary events by clicking here.

Viewers of NBC television in Chicago will get two chances to view projects relating to Kartemquin Films today.

First, the nationwide Bonnie Hunt Show will showcase a video about the Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute produced by Kartemquin's Joanna Rudnick (In the Family) and edited by Leslie Simmer at 2pm CST.

Then at 6pm CST NBC News Chicago will be airing interviews they conducted at Kartemquin this week related to Kartemquin's celebration of the 15th Anniversary of Hoop Dreams. Hoop Dreams director Steve James will be featured in the NBC clip along with the film's star William Gates and two students from the Better Boys Foundation who have made a short tribute to the film that will air in advance of a FREE 16mm screening of Hoop Dreams at the Better Boys Foundation on Friday October 16th.

NBC TV Chicago visited Kartemquin Films today. The Channel 5 News team's LeeAnn Trotter was here to interview director Steve James and star William Gates about this month's event celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Hoop Dreams.

Also interviewed were student filmmakers Kia Clair and Angelo Williams from the Better Boys Foundation, whose 2 minute film tribute to Hoop Dreams will play in advance of a 16mm screening of the classic documentary this Friday 16th at the Better Boys Foundation.

The segment airs on NBC Chicago news on Thursday at 4.30pm!

For more information on Hoop Dreams 15th Anniversary events, please click here.

This fall marks the 15th anniversary of the 'best documentary of all time' and Kartemquin is celebrating the birthday of our beloved film Hoop Dreams by throwing an unmissable party on November 4th at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

The event will be a celebration of the groundbreaking documentary, and will feature opportunities to interact with the filmmakers and subjects, as well as prestigious guests and speakers who will discuss the film's legacy and impact. There will also be exclusive sneak previews of Kartemquin's upcoming films, and the launch of the new Kartemquin Development Fund, enabling us to support the next generation of life-changing documentary films. Please join us!

Tickets are now available via www.kartemquin.com/films/hoop-dreams/15 or by contacting Development@kartemquin.com.

ESPN magazine has listed it's Top 10 Sports Documentaries of All Time and Kartemquin Films' iconic Hoop Dreams sits proudly in the #1 position.

The list was compiled by a 5-person panel of ESPN magazine journalists, filmmakers and critics. Hoop Dreams was listed on each panelist's top 10, and was chosen as #1 by all but one of the judges.

ESPN assmbled the list in anticipation of their upcoming 30 for 30 series of sports documentaries, which will feature Hoop Dreams co-director Steve James' eagerly awaited Allen Iverson documentary No Crossover.

The Chicago Tribune ranked Hoop Dreams as the 4th best film about high school made since 1987, stating:

"It's about a myriad of things — basketball, Chicago's West Side, promise — but chief among the triumphs of this extraordinary documentary is its portrait of teen pressures."

Hoop Dreams was the only documentary to make the list.

Kartemquin's most famous film, Hoop Dreams - regularly voted one of the greatest films, let alone documentaries, ever made - is fifteen years old this year! Kartemquin will be celebrating the impact and legacy of this unforgettable film with an intimate celebratory event at the Gene Siskel Film Center on November 4th. The evening will include special guest speakers and exclusive previews of Kartemquin’s upcoming productions.

Email Matt Eckford to request ticket information or an invitation - matt@kartemquin.com

Meanwhile, read more praise for Hoop Dreams.

Leading up to Kartemquin's celebration of Hoop Dreams 15th anniversary, read blog posts discussing the film here, here, here and here.