Ultimate Citizens
2025 NOMINEE - BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
2024
United States
53 mins
Documentary Film Competition
| Francine Strickwerda | |
| Francine Strickwerda | |
| Discussion or Depiction of Suicide |
Jamshid, an Iranian American public school counselor, helps the children of immigrants and refugees in Seattle find belonging on their way to compete in the world’s largest Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. A fiery, funny 65-year-old Iranian immigrant and ultra-athlete, Jamshid does his best work on the playing field with his students. With a Frisbee in hand, he shows that love wins – one kid, chicken, ultra-endurance race, and friend at a time.
Today there are roughly 100 million forcibly displaced people around the world – more than at any time in modern history. The plight of these asylum seekers is increasingly met with anti-immigrant policies and violence. ULTIMATE CITIZENS is a vision of a more welcoming America.
About the Director
Francine’s Strickwerda’s award-winning independent feature documentaries OIL & WATER and BUSTING OUT screened on Showtime, PBS, Netflix and Amazon. With stories ranging from one of the world’s worst oil disasters, to the politics of America’s breast obsession, and immigrant kids finding belonging in America, her films explore power, trauma and healing. Her work has been funded by MacArthur Foundation and Corp. for Public Broadcasting. She co-owns Hullabaloo, a Seattle creative video agency.
Reviews
Ultimate Citizens: A Journey to Belonging – Winter Film Festival, by Amanda Lou
More Than a Game: Jamshid’s Ultimate Journey in ‘Ultimate Citizens’ – The Coup
Ultimate Citizens: a team, a counselor, a movie – Seattle’s Child, by Nils Dahlgren
Photos (Click on Photo to View)
Awards
2024 Woods Hole Film Festival – Feature Documentary Jury Humanitarian Award
2024 San Francisco Frozen Film Festival – Best Feature Documentary
2024 Cindependent Film Festival – Excellence in Feature Filmmaking Jury Award
2024 Oak Cliff Film Festival – Feature Documentary Special Jury Performance
2024 Viva Texas Film Festival – Best Feature Documentary
2024 Richmond International Film Festival – Best Short Documentary Jury Award
2024 Regina International Film Festival (Canada) – Best International Short Documentary Jury Award
2024 Rivers Edge International Film Festival, – Best Short Documentary Jury Award
2024 Port Townsend Film Festival – Audience Choice Award for Short Documentary
2024 Gorge Impact Film Festival – Special Jury Award
2024 Gorge Impact Film Festival – Best of the Fest Audience Award
