Storytelling Takes Center Court: Kevin Garnett, DRAŽEN Premiere, and the Rise of Summer League Film Festival
From the court to the big screen — storytelling takes center stage at the Summer League Film Festival
The 2025 Summer League Film Festival (SLFF) returned to Las Vegas, building on its debut season to deliver a jampacked celebration of storytelling, culture, and basketball. Over the course of three dynamic days, SLFF screened 34 films and welcomed filmmakers, athletes, media, and entertainment industry power players to experience the intersection of sports & cinema.
From the red carpet moments to courtside views, SLFF delivered a premier experience. On the first day alone, the festival showcased 11 film previews, each followed by in-depth Q&A sessions moderated by Turner’s Matt Winer. Filmmakers & executives from across the industry gathered after their film for red carpet photos, live interviews, and networking inside the Filmmaker Lounge.
Later that evening, SLFF hosted the debut of Tony Allen: The Grindfather, a powerful documentary directed by Michael Blevins, with an electric premiere at Zouk Nightclub.
Day 2 brought a moment that quickly became the talk of the weekend: SLFF Co-Founder Kevin Garnett welcomed AJ Dybantsa, the top-ranked prospect in the 2025 college basketball recruiting class. Dybantsa and KG, along with AJ’s father and representation team, settled into the Filmmaker Lounges’ recliners for some popcorn, refreshments, and some of SLFF’s great programming slate.
The festival also featured sneak peeks from projects by Al Attles III, the Brown Ballers team (formerly India Rising), Bitcoin, and Deon Taylor’s Hidden Empire Film Group.
The third and final day of the Summer League Film Festival featured ten curated short films & three full documentary screenings. One of the most emotional moments of the weekend came during the U.S. premiere of DRAŽEN, with the late legend’s family and filmmaking team in attendance.
The grand finale was a packed-house screening of Kings of Vegas, introduced by SLFF Co-Founder Albert Hall and hosted by KG Certified’s Eric Newman. The 11-person panel included UNLV legends like Stacy Augmon, Anderson Hunt, and James Jones, alongside Director Deon Taylor and hip-hop manager Big Percy.
To cap off the weekend, SLFF held an invite-only Wrap Party in the Hardwood Suite at The Palms. A celebration where filmmakers, industry leaders, and special guests came together to toast the success of the 2nd annual Summer League Film Festival. The energy was high, the conversations were flowing, and the spirit of storytelling and community was on full display. Six official SLFF awards will be announced soon — stay tuned!
For more details and updates on future events, visit vegassummerleagueevents.com.
Media Contact:
Albert Hall
NBA Summer League
AHall@Hallpassnetwork.com
