Brand Film Through the Storm Nominated for Sports Emmy in 'Outstanding Short Documentary' Category
- Jordan Kelley
- 48 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Jordan P. Kelley, Content Director, BrandStorytelling
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The powerful short documentary Through the Storm has been nominated for a Sports Emmy in the Outstanding Short Documentary category. This heartfelt film, directed by Charles Frank and Fritz Bitsoie and produced by Voyager and Gnarly Bay, chronicles the Red Lake Warrior football team’s inspiring journey through years of hardship, shedding light on the resilience of both the team and their community.
The film follows the Red Lake Warrior High School football team - a struggling program going on 20 years without a win. But the documentary goes beyond the sport, focusing on the deeply personal stories of Coach Nolan and his players, set against the backdrop of life on a Native American reservation. The team's commitment to themselves and each other in the face of adversity highlights the emotional healing and strength that arise from community, sport, and collective determination.
The film's origins lie in a serendipitous discovery of an article in the Star Tribune by Chip Scoggins, which caught the attention of co-director Charles Frank. Intrigued by the story, Frank reached out to Red Lake's Coach Nolan, and within weeks, traveled to the reservation for a discovery trip. The experience confirmed that this was a story that needed to be told, and a dedicated team was soon assembled to bring it to life. Along with co-director Fritz Bitsoie, the team at Voyager worked tirelessly to ensure that the story remained authentic and respectful to the community.
One of the most unique aspects of the film's completion was the garnering of a production partnership with Nike, which allowed for creative freedom while ensuring that the story stayed true to its roots. Executive Producer Lindsey Hagen lauded Nike's N7 division for their incredible support in facilitating the filmmakers retention of editorial control, avoiding the usual back-and-forth that often characterizes brand-supported content. "This film is a testament to the power of brand support in the entertainment industry," says Hagen. " We are thankful for the involvement from Nike's N7 division and the NFL Network who've believed in the story of the Red Lake Warrior's High School football team from day one."
The film premiered at several prestigious festivals, in addition to its inclusion as an Official Selection at BrandStorytelling 2025. The film has already received numerous accolades - its latest honor being its nomination for a sports Emmy. The nomination comes as part of the film's national distribution deal with the NFL Network, which aired the film in November as part of its short documentary showcase. The NFL Network provided promotional support across its social channels, helping expand the reach of the story and amplify the voices of the Red Lake community.
"It’s been a career-long dream of mine to be a part of a film worthy of an Emmy nomination," says Co-Director Charles Frank. "For it to happen with this team of amazing filmmakers and with members of the Red Lake Nation—a community that deserves the recognition more than I can express—is truly profound to me."
The Emmy nomination arrives in the same year that Voyager celebrates its 10th anniversary, a milestone made all the more meaningful by this recognition. For a company long focused on bridging the worlds of advertising and independent filmmaking, Through the Storm represents a powerful culmination of that vision, brought to life with the support of a trusted brand partner in Nike. Its nomination for a Sports Emmy further cements its status as an exceptional piece of storytelling, one that transcends the world of both brand and sports, speaking to universal themes of perseverance, healing, and community.
For more information about Through the Storm, watch BrandStorytelling's interview with the team behind the film here.
About Jordan P. Kelley
Jordan P. Kelley is a branded content trend watcher and thought leader, serving as BrandStorytelling's Content Director and curating the festival portion of BrandStorytelling: a Sanctioned Event of Sundance Film Festival. A Forbes contributor, Kelley co-produces The BrandStorytelling Podcast 'Content That Moves' as well as various video series for the BrandStorytelling YouTube Channel.
