Starz Acquires Unscripted Docuseries “America To Me”

Starz, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), today announced the premium cable network has acquired the unscripted 10-part docuseries “America to Me,” created by award-winning filmmaker Steve James (Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters, Life Itself), and produced by Participant Media and Kartemquin Films.

“America To Me” follows students, teachers and administrators in suburban Chicago’s Oak Park and River Forest High School, one of the country’s most exemplary and diverse public schools, over the course of a year as they grapple with decades-long racial and educational inequities – in addition to the challenges that today’s teenagers face. Digging deep into the experiences of a racially diverse student population, “America to Me” sparks extremely candid conversations about what has succeeded and what has failed in the quest to achieve racial equality and overcome bias in our education system. Part observational character story and part high school confessional, James captures critical moments within this vibrant high school ecosystem.

“We are thrilled to acquire this compelling docuseries from Participant Media and Steve James who, as a filmmaker, is truly one of the best,” said President of Programming for Starz Carmi Zlotnik. “’America to Me’ is extremely socially relevant and timely which exemplifies our diversity strategy. Steve’s ability to bring the real and honest portrait of these students and the complex and compelling issues they face through this series is admirable.”

Participant’s CEO David Linde said, “As Participant continues to expand its global footprint with exciting new content opportunities, we are thrilled to announce this distribution partnership with Starz bringing ‘America to Me,’ our first documentary television series, to audiences everywhere.”