"Be GrEAT" 2024 | Official Trailer

"Be Great" is a mini-documentary that captures Malik Willingham's journey throughout his final year of college basketball at Minnesota State University. As he approaches his final season with championship expectations and dreams of playing professional basketball, Malik Willingham has a lot on the line. Despite finding success as a student-athlete, his journey has been far from easy. The film explores his tough upbringing in Waseca, Minnesota, highlighting how his unwavering perseverance and positive attitude have shaped him into an inspiring role model for the younger generation. "Be Great" delves into key themes like loyalty, determination, and the unique responsibilities that come with the spotlight.
The film has two main goals. Firstly, we aim to inspire young individuals facing challenges similar to Malik's childhood, encouraging them to find inspiration in his perseverance and strive towards their goals. Moreover, the film motivates young athletes to acknowledge the impact they have over their peers, guiding them to set a positive example through their words and actions, both on and off the court.
The film is set to premiere in late spring/early summer.
This documentary is directed and produced by Ben Stelter. Stelter is a recent graduate of Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, where he devoted four years to studying video production. Throughout this period, he discovered a passion for documentary filmmaking in sports. Ben has also effectively directed multiple video projects for professional and collegiate sports teams across the Midwest. In 2022, his work was recognized with four national awards: two from the Broadcast Education Association and another two from the Upper Midwest Emmy® Chapter/Foundation.