We’re thrilled to share that "Game On: Hoops and Dreams in Rural China," our film exploring the unlikely basketball boom in rural China, has just earned a Gold Award at the 2025 Cascadia Creative Awards in the Entertainment and Experience category.

The Cascadia Awards celebrate the boldest brands, sharpest campaigns, and most inspiring creative work across the Pacific Northwest. Honoring standout creativity in advertising, design, content, and beyond, Cascadia is a benchmark for what great marketing looks like in the year ahead. This is Blue Chalk’s second consecutive year taking home top honors at Cascadia. Last year, we won three awards for projects with Magnolia Network and The Great Courses. 

"Game On," a USA Today and CICC production, with Blue Chalk supporting all phases of production, tells the surprising story of how basketball became a cultural phenomenon in rural China, culminating in the “Village NBA,” where local teams play in front of crowds as large as 20,000. 

Adding to the excitement, "Game On" has been officially selected to screen at the Paladino d’Oro Sports Film Festival in Palermo, Italy, this December. Now in its 45th year, Paladino d’Oro is the oldest sports film festival in the world. It serves as an international stage for the best in sports cinema and aims to elevate the quality of sports storytelling while bridging connections between filmmakers, distributors, and global audiences.

This is the film’s first festival selection and its fourth award this year. 

We’re proud to see "Game On" resonate with audiences around the world and grateful to our partners at USA Today and CICC for working with us on this joyful film.