Home of the Giants

Home of the Giants
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Rusty Gorman
Produced by	SymPics International, Inc
Written by	Rusty Gorman
Starring	Haley Joel Osment Ryan Merriman Danielle Panabaker
Music by	Michael Suby
Release date	Chicago Film Festival October 12, 2007
Running time	104 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Home of the Giants is a 2007 American film, written and directed by Rusty Gorman that stars Haley Joel Osment, Ryan Merriman and Danielle Panabaker. The film has been described as a coming of age tale and sports drama.

Like everyone in Riverton, Indiana, seventeen-year-old Robert "Gar" Gartland (Haley Joel Osment) loves his school's basketball team, the Riverton Giants. His best friend, Matt Morrison (Ryan Merriman), is the star of the Riverton Giants. When Matt makes Robert take part in the robbery of a small-time drug dealer, things do not go as planned and Robert faces the challenge of saving the team from a desperate predicament with the state championship and Matt’s future on the line.

In Indiana, high school basketball is a way of life. This fanaticism serves as a backdrop for a story that explores peer pressure, perspective and the difference between a friend and a hero. Gar believes Matt can do no wrong. While he supports and encourages his best friend’s antics, Gar finds himself falling in love with Bridgette, an outsider who does not embrace the celebrity status given basketball players in her new hometown. From high school parties, pep rallies and Hoosier hysteria, to robbing a drug dealer, being stalked and blackmailed, defying a hero and confronting his adversaries, Gar comes to terms with his false belief, and gains a new level of awareness about himself and his hometown.

Home of the Giants was first screened on May 9, 2007 at The Zanuck theater in Los Angeles. This screening was mainly for meant for the industry but fans also got the opportunity to attend the screening for free.

Shortly after the first screening Home of the Giants was screened 3 times at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007.

The next screening was in Chicago at the Landmark Theatres in Chicago on July 12, 2007. This was for a private audience mainly consisting of Rusty Gorman's friends and associates. Haley Joel Osment, Ryan Merriman and Nona Merriman attended this screening as well.

The next series of screenings were at the Chicago International Film Festival (3 times) and Heartland Film Festival (6 times) in October 2007.

While a distribution deal is still in the talks, several articles have suggested a spring 2008 release. The distribution deal should be finalized somewhere in November 2007.

The next series of screenings are at the 6 Palm Beach International Film Festival (April 14, 2008) and Omaha Film Festival (February 20, 2008 and February 23, 2008).