Through the Storm (2024) A compelling documentary short film by Fritz Bitsoie & Charles Frank. Explore this powerful new work.
🏈 Through the Storm (2024) — Documentary Short Film by Fritz Bitsoie & Charles Frank
Some teams measure success in wins. Others measure it in survival. Through the Storm follows the Red Lake Nation (Ojibwe) high school football team through their 2023 season — a year defined not by trophies, but by grit, community, and the stubborn refusal to let the lights go out on a program that’s been losing for two decades.
Directed by Fritz Bitsoie and Charles Frank, this 22‑minute short is as much about identity and resilience as it is about football.
Official Selection – Santa Fe International Film Festival
Official Selection – Centre Film Festival
Official Selection – BrandStorytelling
📖 Story in Brief
The Red Lake Warriors are more than a football team — they’re a lifeline for a small Ojibwe community in northern Minnesota.
The Challenge: Interest in the sport is dwindling, the roster is thin, and the team hasn’t had a winning season in over 20 years3.
The Coach: A determined leader refuses to let the program die, seeing football as a way to keep kids engaged, disciplined, and proud of where they come from.
The Players: Each young athlete carries personal battles — grief, family struggles, and the weight of representing their Nation.
The Season: Wins are rare, but moments of triumph come in other forms: a perfect tackle, a touchdown after weeks of practice, a bus ride filled with laughter.
The Storm: The title becomes a metaphor — for the literal weather they play through, the losing streak they endure, and the personal hardships they face together.
🎨 Creative DNA & Style
Cinematic sports doc: Sweeping drone shots of the reservation, slow‑motion plays under Friday night lights, and intimate locker‑room moments.
Cultural grounding: The film weaves in Ojibwe identity — from language and symbols to the way the community rallies around the team.
Emotional pacing: Alternates between high‑energy game sequences and quiet, reflective interviews.
Score as heartbeat: Christopher Bear’s music blends indie warmth with cinematic swells, underscoring both grit and grace.
🌟 Themes & Resonance
Resilience: How a team keeps showing up despite the scoreboard.
Community pride: Football as a gathering point for the Red Lake Nation.
Youth empowerment: Sports as a tool for building confidence and leadership.
Cultural continuity: Preserving identity through shared experiences.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
Pros
🎯 Heart over hype: Focuses on people, not just plays.
🏆 Festival‑tested: Critical and audience acclaim.
🎥 Visual storytelling: Balances grit with beauty.
Cons
⏳ Short runtime: Leaves you wanting more of the players’ personal stories.
🌀 Bittersweet tone: Those seeking a triumphant sports ending may find the realism sobering.
💡 Humanized Takeaway
Through the Storm 2024 short film isn’t about chasing a championship — it’s about chasing purpose. Bitsoie and Frank capture the way a struggling football program can still be a source of hope, discipline, and belonging. For the Red Lake Warriors, every game is a stand against giving up, and every yard gained is a victory that can’t be measured on a scoreboard.
🔍 Find More & Watch
IMDb page for Through the Storm — full cast, crew, and production details
GQ Sports feature & video — behind‑the‑scenes look at the team’s journey
NFL Network premiere announcement — broadcast details and Nike sponsorship