Ball State Sports Link, in partnership with Cardiff Met Sport Broadcast, premiered its feature-length documentary, Transatlantic Storytelling 2024, with a digital world premiere Thursday, June 13.
The premiere followed a 12:30 p.m. dedication ceremony for the newly named Betsy M. Ross Sports Link Studio, housed within the Sports Production Center in the College of Communication, Information, and Media. Ross, a trailblazer in sports media, was one of the first women to break into national sports news working at ESPN.
“Working on this documentary has been an incredible journey,” said Cameron Clift, the film’s executive producer and director. “I am genuinely excited for everyone to see the final product when it premieres June 13. The stories of our subjects are truly inspiring, and I believe they will resonate with the audience in a profound way.”
The initial release of the documentary, produced entirely by students from Ball State’s Emmy award-winning Sports Link program, will stream live on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the project’s official website, www.transatlanticstorytelling.com.
Cardiff spoken word poet and hip hop artist Duke Al, and local musician and singer Jodie Daniels, also star in the film.
Duke Al is a true welsh wordsmith who uses his creativity to ignite passion and stir the soul. Daniels, a tour guide by day at Cardiff Castle, is an aspiring artist making a name for himself in the local music scene.
Following the June 13 digital premiere, the documentary will then be edited into a second cut, released for linear television stations and film festivals — along with additional digital platforms — in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Our trip to Wales was unforgettable, and it provided the backdrop for some of the most impactful moments captured on film,” Clift said. “As both the director and executive producer, I’ve poured my heart and soul into this project, just like the rest of my peers who were part of this.
I can’t wait for viewers to experience the emotions and stories that have stayed with us long after the cameras stopped rolling. This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will cherish forever.”
Watch The Film
Meet The Subjects
Liam Mackay
A Youth Justice Sport Coordinator, a collaboration between Cardiff Met Sport and the South Wales Police, working with young people to help with personal confidence and motivation through the vehicle of sport.
Ewan Guy & Henry Kirwan
Follow Met Rugby coach Dr. Daniel Milton, along with players Ewan Guy and Henry Kirwan as the team prepares for Leeds and learn why the sport of rugby is the nation’s most popular sport.
Bhavya Doshi
A professional cricket player leading the highly successful Met cricket team while pursuing his degree in sports broadcast.
E.C. Cantrell & The American Rugby House
A leader for the Met women’s rugby team who hails from Charlotte, North Carolina and lives with two other American rugby players on the Met men’s team.
Funmi Oduwaiye
A para-athlete thrower who was destined to play Division 1 basketball in America, but after a routine surgery went wrong, is now chasing the 2024 Games in Paris.
James Ledger
A visually-impaired sprinter is one of the fastest in Wales, ranking in the Top 5 in Europe in his events with a goal of the 2024 Games in Paris.
Jade Atkin
A champion British Basketball Wheelchair athlete and member of Met’s wheelchair basketball team with a goal the 2024 Games in Paris.
Lynn Davies
A Cardiff Met former track and field athlete who specialized in the long jump. He was the 1964 Olympic champion in the event.
About The Project
After a successful international cultural immersion and feature-length film in 2020, Ball State Sports Link students returned to Cardiff, Wales, in Spring 2024 in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University. Students researched and collaborated with Cardiff Met students to develop stories to film during the immersion. This continues an on-going exchange of pedagogy, global sports production trends and virtual guest lectures and student connections.