UNINTERRUPTED CANADA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DREAMCREW ENTERTAINMENT, THE SPRINGHILL COMPANY AND BELL MEDIA ANNOUNCE THE PRODUCTION OF “BLACK ICE”

Toronto/Los Angeles (July 29, 2021) – UNINTERRUPTED Canada in partnership with DreamCrew’s subsidiary, DreamCrew Entertainment, The SpringHill Company and Bell Media today announced the production of a full-length original documentary feature titled BLACK ICE. The film will explore the journey of Black hockey players from the creation of The Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes to the modern-day NHL, highlighting their often overlooked and marginalized contributions to the game. BLACK ICE will elevate these individuals who passionately followed a dream to play a sport that continues to be plagued by racial inequity and their collective aspirations to change a sport’s culture. Production and principal photography are currently underway on this project.

Led by UNINTERRUPTED Canada, co-founded by CEO Scott Moore and Chief Content Officer Vinay Virmani, in partnership with multi award-winning artist, entrepreneur and Executive Producer, Drake, Black Ice is an ideal reflection of the platform’s continued mission as an athlete empowerment brand and authentic storytelling platform.  

Virmani, whose acclaimed work with Breakaway in 2011 and The Grizzlies in 2019 make him no stranger to creating films about North America’s rich multicultural sports mosaic, will act as Producer on Black Ice.

“This project presents a rich opportunity to explore a remarkable part of sports history,” said Virmani. “Despite the hardships and struggles, this story is about resilience and how society views itself today while offering a path forward to a more equitable and inclusive future.”

The film will be led by acclaimed director Hubert Davis, who is best known for his 2005 Oscar® and Emmy®-nominated documentary Hardwood, in addition to other notable projects like Giants of Africa.

“I was not only surprised but inspired to learn about the stories of the often overlooked and unheralded black pioneers of hockey, said Davis. “I think it is more important than ever before for all generations, particularly young people of colour, to understand and see the diverse faces who have contributed and shaped one the essential fabrics of our country.”

As a subsidiary of DreamCrew, DreamCrew Entertainment is a co-venture between Drake and Adele “Future” Nur that produces both film and television projects. Its credits include HBO’s Euphoria and Netflix’s Top Boy. Both Drake and Adele “Future” Nur will act as Executive Producers on Black Ice.

The SpringHill Company, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, whose notable film credits include Space Jam: A New Legacy, More Than a Game and The Carter Effect will act as Executive Producers on this project.

Bell Media will deliver the premiere of Black Ice exclusively to Canadian viewers on TSN, Crave, and CTV platforms. Elevation Pictures will oversee theatrical distribution in Canada. The film is produced in association with First Take Entertainment with support from Telefilm Canada, Canadian Media Fund and Ontario Creates.

“We’re excited to continue our successful partnership with UNINTERRUPTED Canada, and to premiere this significant feature documentary for viewers across the country,” said Nathalie Cook, VP, TSN & RDS. “By shining the spotlight on the often-overlooked experiences of Black hockey players, the film will continue to expand conversations around diversity in the sport, and we’re very proud to share it with Canadian sports fans.”

This is the fourth long-form feature presented by UNINTERRUPTED Canada and follows the highly successful debut of ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, FAMILY FIRST: Meet the Nurses and PARLAY– The Fred VanVleet Story, currently in pre-production.