Netflix will make The Short Game the first original documentary available on its streaming service, it was announced Tuesday.
The film, which follows eight competitive golfers under the age of 7 as they train for and compete in the World Championship of Junior Golf, will start streaming on Dec. 12 at 12:01 a.m. PT.
The Short Game won the 2013 SXSW audience award and received a limited theatrical release through Phase 4 Films and Samuel Goldwyn Films.
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The documentary was helmed by Emmy-winning director Josh Greenbaum in his feature directorial debut. It is produced by Greenbaum, Rafael Marmor and Christopher Leggett and executive produced by Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake, Timm Oberwelland, John Battsek and David Frankel.
“As a filmmaker, you hope your work will reach as many people as possible, and that’s what’s so exciting about partnering with Netflix, who are presenting some of the most original and cutting-edge programming on the planet right now,” Greenbaum said in a statement. “The idea of people all across the world being able to watch the film is a dream come true.”
Lisa Nishimura, Netflix’s vp original documentary and comedy, added: “We seek to provide the very best storytelling within the documentary filmmaking category, and The Short Game is the rare example of a beautifully told and heart-warming tale which appeals to all generations.”
Netflix on Monday announced that it had acquired Oscar documentary contender The Square, about the ongoing political upheaval in Egypt. However, that film won’t debut on the streaming service until early 2014.
