In a world where women’s ambitions are persistently challenged, Cross Checked emerges as a compelling drama that highlights the resilience of a young athlete determined to shape a brighter future for herself. Set against the backdrop of a frostbitten rust-belt town stuck in the past, the story centers on 16-year-old Jane Lyons. Confronted with economic hardship and personal loss, Jane clings to her fierce passion for hockey as her lifeline, striving to rise above the realities of her fractured life.

Following the death of her father and mounting pressures from her mother at home, Jane's pursuit of a spot on the team and a college scholarship becomes more than a fight for her future; it transforms into a quest for self-discovery and redemption. As she navigates a new high school and a strained relationship with her mother, Jane finds herself entangled in a complex web of friendship and rivalry with Nikki Pierce, a talented yet privileged hockey captain. Their intertwined paths reveal the dynamics of ambition, jealousy, and the quest for validation.

Cross Checked is more than a story about hockey; it’s a deep dive into the essence of womanhood—perseverance, friendship, sacrifice, and the battle to overcome cycles of generational trauma. Our mission is to illuminate women-led narratives that capture the nuance of rising female athletes. By supporting Cross Checked, you’re not only backing a powerful narrative about overcoming barriers in a male-dominated sport but also championing the stories of women who challenge and redefine expectations. Join us in bringing this impactful story to life and celebrating the remarkable resilience of girlhood everywhere.

Ladybird, 2017

This story is deeply inspired by the lives of my mother and grandmother. When I moved from Los Angeles to Buffalo during my senior year of high school, in the midst of the chaos brought by COVID-19, I uncovered a powerful family history – one rooted in both profound pain and an unbreakable sense of community. Buffalo's rich, complex culture opened my eyes to the struggles and, more importantly, the remarkable resilience of the women in my family. My mother, a fierce rebel in every sense, lived with an unstoppable drive to break free from the constraints her own mother faced. 

Sharing this story is my way of honoring the legacy and tenacity of women like her who have shaped our family. It's a personal journey to connect with and share the generational struggles that have defined us. My cousins, accomplished female athletes in rowing, basketball, softball, dance, and swimming, are living examples of that same determination. Inspired by their lives and our shared history, I aim to bring forward a narrative that highlights how we can redefine our futures, no matter the challenges we face.

~ Haleigh Philips

Dead Poet's Society, 1989

With tonal comparisons like The Holdovers and Manchester By The Sea, Cross Checked will bring to life the remarkable magic of a rust-belt town stuck in the past. The film’s visual aesthetic will contrast the cool, bleak tones of winter with bursts of warmth that symbolize rebellion. Our story taking place in late-October, rusty browns, earthy blues and greens, and burnt oranges will be used to evoke a sense of gloom, while grounding the story in an organic, textured world that is as nostalgic as it is profound. 

Shows that share themes, messages, and even styles with Cross Checked include The Queen's Gambit (2020), The Bear (2022-Present), and A League of Their Own (2022). The Queen's Gambit and A League of Their Own feature strong-willed female protagonists with clear goals and a means to achieve them. They won't stop at anything to get what they want, and they're motivated both by a strong sense of discipline and outside factors that make this their only option. Jane Lyons, our protagonist, is very similar to what these characters represent.

As a story about the resilience required to be successful in women's sports, A League of Their Own is also a prime example, telling a story of a group of women who were given the chance to step up to the plate, and who excelled with an opportunity they might not have received otherwise.

The Bear tells a story about ambition. Living up to your family's legacy and dealing with the repercussions of keeping your thoughts in the past are all things Jane and the characters of The Bear have in common. Cross Checked's themes of generational trauma and expectations are extremely prevalent when it comes to her interactions with her mother, Mary Lyons.

We have just completed the transition from development to pre-production, and we're eager to get started! While we've already raised $44,000 towards our total goal of $55,000, the remaining $11,000 of our budget is imperative to helping us secure transportation and lodging for some of our farther locations. If we reach this goal, we'll be able to accommodate our entire cast and crew in houses in Connecticut for our shoot dates, as well as rent cargo and passenger vans so we can transport them there.

If we are able to surpass our goal, we'd love the chance to give back to some of our crew members in the form of payment. At the end of the day, your contribution helps us make sure that we are being as conscious and professional as possible in the way we conduct ourselves. You make this project possible, and for that, we would be eternally grateful.

We will be beginning production in late October! Until then, we will be posting updates on our Instagram @crosscheckedshow on the pre-production process, including meetings with the team, BTS content from our location scout, and many more!