Documentary "Starting Line: The Team Joshua Story" to World Premiere on CBC Gem Starting August 14th

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Vancouver, BC  (August, 2026) — Garden Film Studio has announced that director Josh Richardson’s documentary Starting Line: The Team Joshua Story is set to world premiere nationwide on CBC Gem starting August 14, 2026, and will be on CBC Television on August 15 at 8 pm in BC and Alberta. The film, shot in Vancouver, Langley and Coquitlam, BC, features a Vancouver mother and her son as they redefine marathon running. 

For Michelle Gentis, running isn't just a sport. What started as a form of therapy for her has evolved into an extraordinary journey of breaking barriers in competitive marathon running and a way to give her son, Josh, a chance to move through the world in a way he otherwise couldn’t. Josh, who lives with a rare brain disorder and significant physical disabilities, found himself increasingly excluded from opportunities and community as he grew up. In 2008 Michelle began running marathons while pushing Josh in his chair, what started as a mother’s love turned into a movement for inclusion in the sport. Their achievements have redefined what's possible for athletes with diverse abilities and now they're targeting their most ambitious challenge yet: completing the 7 prestigious 2027 World Marathon Majors as a mother-son racing team.

“The first time I met Michelle and Josh, I was immediately compelled to tell everyone about their story and big dream. I wanted to be involved in any way that I could,”  says Richardson. “The heart of their story lies in the in-between moments, the pauses, the deep breaths, and the moments of doubt. Behind the big achievement of a race, there is an intimate story of a mother and son choosing to push through every day.”

Starting Line: The Team Joshua Story is directed by Josh Richardson (The Adaptive Athlete, Strong by NM), who also edits and is the DOP, is produced and written by Josh Huculiak (Kryptic), Shaelin Fritzsch and Johanna Richardson with sound by Oscar Vargas (Seagrass, Longlegs) and colour by Louis Hearn of Epic Mood. The film features Michelle Gentis, Josh Gentis Hall and his caregiving team.

Starting Line: The Team Joshua Story streams on CBC Gem starting August 14, 2026 and airs on CBC Television at 8 pm in BC and Alberta on August 15, 2026. It is a co-production with CBC, with the support of Rogers, Creative BC, Government (tax credits), Team Joshua Foundation, and Trinity Western University.

About Garden Film Studio

GARDEN is a creative film production company based in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2021 by Josh Huculiak and Shaelin Fritzsch, GARDEN is a nurturing space for filmmakers. We bring our experience and passion to our own projects as well as foster the ones that we believe in; collaborating with filmmakers to bring their visions to life.