THROUGH THE FIRE International Documentary Competition

A basketball journey that rivals the heart of the fictional film 8 MILE, THROUGH THE FIRE follows the most publicized high school athlete to come out of New York City’s public schools in recent memory – Sebastian Telfair.

Eighteen years of living in the projects of Coney Island has taken its toll on Sebastian and his family. With brother Jamel passed over by the NBA and two men gunned down in the hall outside his family’s apartment, the weight of his family is on his shoulders. As Sebastian navigates the waters between college scholarships, the NBA draft and his all-important next step, the 6′, 160 pounder powers through his senior year amidst city championships, media speculation, sneaker deals and the cover of Sports Illustrated.

With riveting basketball footage and deeply personal interviews, THROUGH THE FIRE follows the smiling, charismatic rising star as he proves to himself and the rest of the world that dreams can come true and he’s got what it takes to make it happen.