“It’s Our Ball”  Documentary Short To Make World Premiere At Oscar Qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival August 7-17

The court isn’t just for the young; It’s for the bold

Los Angeles, CA – “It’s Our Ball”, a powerful story of senior women reclaiming space, identity and joy through basketball – defying stereotypes and redefining what it means to age actively and with purpose will make its World Premiere at the 21st Annual HollyShorts  Films Festival on Wednesday August 13th at 12 pm at TCL Chinese Theater Hollywood.

Directed by David Morrison, story by Judy T. Marcelline, and produced by Marcelline and Penny Edmiston, “It’s Our Ball” is a documentary film that explores the vibrant, often-overlooked world of senior women athletes. The film follows a league of diverse senior women who gather weekly to play basketball, drawn to the game for different reasons – but on the court, they find a shared transcendence.  More than a sports story, this film is about sisterhood, identity, resilience, and equity. 

The film features Johanna Fontenot, Suzanne Patterson,  Louise Smith and Marcelline. Morrison and Marcelline also served as Executive Producers for their company MorrMar Films, Bridget Smith edited the film, and Nuno Malo composed the film’s score.

“I met Judy and Louise 25 years ago, and their personal stories left a lasting impression on me,” says Morrison.  “In 2022, while photographing Judy for a portrait series, she mentioned a vibrant community of senior women who play basketball every week and her desire to tell their stories. I was immediately drawn in—I knew there was something special there.  What followed was a journey built step by step, shot by shot, as we gradually uncovered the heart of their story. These women embody basketball in its purest form. They show us that aging isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of a new kind of freedom.”

The filmmakers

David Morrison is from the Appalachian foothills of Virginia and moved to Los Angeles after graduating from SCAD in 1989. He polished his craft by shooting indie films, music videos, and documentaries. He’s now a seasoned cinematographer and has lensed award-winning feature and short films. He’s photographed viral campaigns for “Uncle Drew” and “Like a Girl” (*AdAge’s “Best Superbowl Commercial of all Time*” and iconic music videos for Beck and Regina Spektor. His TV credits include “Fear the Walking Dead” for AMC. This is his first short documentary as both director and cinematographer. 

Judy T. Marcelline is from Trinidad via Toronto, Canada, and has been developing stories her whole life. She was mentored by famed filmmaker Nina Menkes and produced episodes for The Montel Williams Show. Her short film “Grey Matters” premiered at the LA Short Film Festival. Basketball is her passion, and she’s been cultivating the relationships for “It’s Our Ball” for 25 years. In many ways, Judy is the glue and gravity behind the film.

Penny Edmiston is an award-winning filmmaker and member of the Producers Guild with a successful career of producing commercials, stills, narratives, and documentaries such as “Unfit: Ward Vs Ward”, Hulu’s “Where Cyber Crime Goes to Hide”, Stacey Peralta’s “Bones Brigade”, and “Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable”.  Narrative indie films such as “Beauty Mark”, “Epiphany”, and “Fractured”.  Edmiston’s company, Lucky Penny Pictures has been responsible for the production of multiple studio films. Edmiston’s films have premiered at major film festivals around the world, such as Sundance, Tribeca, and Cannes, and have taken home multiple awards. More at: https://www.itsourballfilm.com/

*Information courtesy of LA Media Consultants