Alaskan Nets
Director: Jeff Harasimowicz
Audience Choice Award at 2021 Santa Barbara Film Festival
Off the coast of Southeast Alaska lies an island — remote, largely hidden from the outside world, and home to the Tsimshian natives of Alaska’s last remaining native reserve: Metlakatla. For more than a century, two sacred traditions have defined Metlakatla: fishing and basketball. Alaskan Nets centers on the improbable journey of cousins Danny Marsden and DJ King, fishermen and stars of the high school basketball team, as they lead their team and town toward their first state championship in more than 30 years—the only thing that will bring life back to an island that has undergone unimaginable tragedy.
Released in 2021
Running time: 117 minutes
Sponsor: Windermere Real Estate San Juan Island
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Jeff Harasimowicz
Prior to launching his production company, Raised By Wolves, Jeff Harasimowicz served as the Head of Production at Teton Gravity Research where he produced such films as “unReal” and “Jeremy Jones’ Higher.” Harasimowicz spent his early career working on the campaigns for several high-profile films including back-to-back Best Picture Oscar Winners (THE ARTIST and THE KING’S SPEECH), 2011’s Best Documentary Oscar Winner (UNDEFEATED) and DJANGO UNCHAINED. Harasimowicz also worked with Avi Arad – the former CEO and Chairman of Marvel Studios on projects like IRON MAN 2, and with United Talent Agency – a global leader in entertainment talent and literary representation.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
I've always been drawn to sports stories. HOOSIERS, RUDY, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, the list goes on. Sports are a great unifier, a way for people from so many different backgrounds, experiences and places to rally around a common interest, a common passion. But more than that, sports (and great sports movies) reveal something deeper about the human condition. The stories become less about the game itself and more about the people playing it.
When I stumbled across the story of Metlakatla I was instantly hooked. So, we went all in. I got married in October in 2017, moved to Alaska in November of 2017 to begin making this film and proceeded to spend almost every dollar I had over the next three years to see it through.
Alaskan Nets
Director: Jeff Harasimowicz
Audience Choice Award at 2021 Santa Barbara Film Festival
Off the coast of Southeast Alaska lies an island — remote, largely hidden from the outside world, and home to the Tsimshian natives of Alaska’s last remaining native reserve: Metlakatla. For more than a century, two sacred traditions have defined Metlakatla: fishing and basketball. Alaskan Nets centers on the improbable journey of cousins Danny Marsden and DJ King, fishermen and stars of the high school basketball team, as they lead their team and town toward their first state championship in more than 30 years—the only thing that will bring life back to an island that has undergone unimaginable tragedy.
Released in 2021
Running time: 117 minutes
Sponsor: Windermere Real Estate San Juan Island
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Jeff Harasimowicz
Prior to launching his production company, Raised By Wolves, Jeff Harasimowicz served as the Head of Production at Teton Gravity Research where he produced such films as “unReal” and “Jeremy Jones’ Higher.” Harasimowicz spent his early career working on the campaigns for several high-profile films including back-to-back Best Picture Oscar Winners (THE ARTIST and THE KING’S SPEECH), 2011’s Best Documentary Oscar Winner (UNDEFEATED) and DJANGO UNCHAINED. Harasimowicz also worked with Avi Arad – the former CEO and Chairman of Marvel Studios on projects like IRON MAN 2, and with United Talent Agency – a global leader in entertainment talent and literary representation.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
I've always been drawn to sports stories. HOOSIERS, RUDY, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, the list goes on. Sports are a great unifier, a way for people from so many different backgrounds, experiences and places to rally around a common interest, a common passion. But more than that, sports (and great sports movies) reveal something deeper about the human condition. The stories become less about the game itself and more about the people playing it.
When I stumbled across the story of Metlakatla I was instantly hooked. So, we went all in. I got married in October in 2017, moved to Alaska in November of 2017 to begin making this film and proceeded to spend almost every dollar I had over the next three years to see it through.