Article: Stephen and Ayesha Curry Producing Literacy Doc ‘Sentenced’

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The Hollywood Reporter By Chris Gardner—February 1, 2024

The NBA great will also narrate the Connor Martin and Mark Allen Johnson-directed film which focuses on the epidemic of childhood illiteracy and is produced by Unanimous Media.

The Currys and Unanimous Media have a new film to focus on: a childhood literacy documentary titled Sentenced from co-directors Connor Martin and Mark Allen Johnson.

Steph Curry will narrate the film as well as produce while his wife, Ayesha Curry, who serves as CEO of Sweet July, will produce alongside Jeff Martin from It Matters and Children’s Literacy Project. Additional producers include Unanimous Media’s Erick Peyton, the film’s co-directors and Chris Helfrich, CEO of the Curry’s foundation Eat. Learn. Play. Brian Tetsuro Ivie and Kalyna Kutny will executive produce from Unanimous Media, with Tony Kriz and Jim Gulian serving as writers.

Sentenced is described as an “immersive and vulnerable exploration of the epidemic of childhood illiteracy through a series of braided character driven stories.” Those stories will be offered from diverse adults and children who have never learned to read.

“Sentenced is a powerful project that we are honored to be a part of, driving necessary conversations on the importance of childhood literacy, a haunting issue that was only intensified as a result of the pandemic,” said the Currys in a joint statement the film, which already has a website.

The project marks Steph Curry’s first foray into narration, and the film’s subject matter hits close to home for the couple. They are longtime advocates for childhood literacy through their foundation,which works to provide Oakland elementary school students the support and resources to become proficient readers by the end of third grade, among other initiatives. The org will partner with Children’s Literacy Project and Unanimous Media to screen Sentenced in Oakland.

Children’s Literacy Project funded the production of Sentenced. At the conclusion of the film, the plan is to offer viewers a chance to learn more about a “teach a kid to read” initiative through local volunteer opportunities via QR code.

“We believe in the power of storytelling and hope that projects like Sentenced continue to move our collective mission forward in order to make impactful and systemic change,” said Unanimous Media’s Peyton.