‘Such a gem’: Filmmakers praise Alabama as movie filmed in state opens nationwide

Key Points:

• "Last Shot," a family drama and sports film about a 12-year-old basketball prodigy coping with grief, opens in select U.S. theaters on October 2; it was filmed in Birmingham, Alabama, featuring local extras and actors including Alabama native Johnny Simmons.
• The film stars Jaime Pressly, Michael Rapaport, Laraine Newman, former NBA player Baron Davis, and newcomer Dylan Friedman, the 15-year-old son of one of the filmmakers in his first leading role.
• Directors and producers praised Birmingham for its professional crew, diverse cityscape, and unique filming locations that doubled for Nashville, contributing to a tight 20-day shoot despite challenges working with child actors.
• The story, partly autobiographical from writer Todd Friedman, explores themes of family, forgiveness, and personal growth, with characters portrayed as flawed yet relatable, aiming to resonate deeply with audiences.
• The filmmakers hope "Last Shot" will inspire conversations about loss and resilience among families, offering a heartfelt, authentic take on difficult topics in a family-friendly sports drama format.