Angel Studios, the innovative platform that empowers creators to crowdfund, create, and distribute films and TV series globally with full creative control, is honored to announce the September 26 release of the feature film “Sweetwater,” exclusively to the Angel.com and Angel app platforms. The film shares the story of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first African-American to sign an NBA contract.

“When ‘Sweetwater’ was presented to the Angel Guild, the Guild’s reaction was nothing short of extraordinary,” reflects Jordan Harmon, President of Angel Studios. “As someone who plays the game himself three times a week, this powerful narrative of a remarkable athlete who revolutionized basketball resonates deeply with me.”

“We are honored by the response that the film has received by the Angel Guild audience,” shared Producer Darren Moorman. “I love Sweetwater’s story for so many reasons. As a filmmaker it’s always great to tell a story that is unknown, but has had such an amazing impact on the world.”

‘Sweetwater’ begins in 1949, when Abe Saperstein, owner and coach of the Harlem Globetrotters, organized an exhibition game in New York City against the NBA champions, the Minneapolis Lakers. The game was witnessed by Ned Irish, owner of the New York Knicks, and his coach Joe Lapchick. The Lakers were outplayed by the talented and inventive Black Globetrotters, with Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton impressing the crowd with his graceful athleticism. Lapchick and Irish took the lead in advocating for the integration of the team, and with the support of the NBA President Maurice Podoloff, they worked with the other team owners to create a groundbreaking moment in history.

“Sweetwater” stars Everett Osborne (“Chicago Fire”), Kevin Pollak (“The Usual Suspects”, “A Few Good Men”), Cary Elwes (“The Princess Bride”), Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”, “Serendipity”), Jim Caviezel (“Sound of Freedom”) and Richard Dreyfuss (“Jaws”, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”), and was written and directed by Martin Guigui (“9/11”, “Beneath the Darkness”), and is produced by Tim Moore (“American Sniper”, “Sully”), Darren Moorman (“Blue Miracle”, “Sight”), and Dahlia Waingort Guigui (“The Bronx Bull”).

“Sweetwater” will launch in the Angel app and at Angel.com on September 26, 2024.

About Angel Studios
Angel Studios is a values-based distribution company for stories that amplify light to mainstream audiences. Through the Angel Guild, over 375,000 members choose which film and television projects the studio will market and distribute. 104,000 Angel Guild members in 155 countries have invested nearly $80M in projects distributed by the studio to date. Angel Studios is behind the global box office hit, “Sound of Freedom, which has earned $250 million in theatrical box office.