When ESPN’s Full Court Press returned for its highly anticipated second season, it brought with it the powerhouse storytelling of producer Sia Savvy. A dynamic force in film and television, Savvy joined the production to amplify the voices of rising stars in women’s college basketball—and she’s proving that passion and purpose can be a winning formula.
“Season One was a breakout success,” Savvy recalls. “It showcased the momentum building in women’s sports. So, when Nikki Spetseris, the showrunner and director for Season Two, invited me to join forces with Hannah Beir and Suzy Beck, I didn’t hesitate.” For Savvy, the opportunity aligned perfectly with her mission: telling powerful, nuanced stories about women, especially in spaces where they’ve long been underrepresented. “Telling stories about women in sports is a passion of mine,” she says. “This was the perfect opportunity to do that on a national stage.”
The three athletes at the heart of Season Two—Kiki Iriafen, Flau’jae Johnson, and Hannah Hidalgo—were already cast when Savvy came on board. But her influence would shape the tone and depth of the documentary’s storytelling. “Nikki felt my storytelling style would resonate with Kiki’s journey in particular,” she says. “It was a fantastic collaboration, and I’m proud of how all three stories unfolded. Our team was a dream—talented, supportive, and fully committed to elevating these young women.”
So what does Savvy hope audiences take away? “I want people to walk away in awe,” she says. “These athletes are incredibly dedicated and resilient. Their journeys are emotional roller coasters, but they emerge stronger every time. My hope is that audiences become lifelong fans—not just of the sport, but of the athletes themselves.”
Savvy’s journey into film wasn’t a straight line. She fell in love with storytelling through literature—immersing herself in poetry and classics like Joan of Arc and Sherlock Holmes in high school. “By college, I knew I wanted to tell stories professionally,” she says. Though she began in journalism, the pull of immersive, visual storytelling led her to film and screenwriting. But even then, the path wasn’t without detours.
“I got a bachelor’s in media management, then an MBA in finance because I wasn’t sure TV production could sustain me. I worked in corporate America for a while—as an accountant and project manager—but my heart was always with storytelling.” Eventually, she took a leap of faith, leaving corporate life to produce full-time. “Those early years gave me a different kind of foundation. They taught me how to connect with people and how to ask the right questions: What resonates? How can this reflect real life? That corporate background actually made me a better producer.”
For Savvy, every project starts with a single truth: the story is everything. “I ask: What’s the narrative arc? Who needs to hear this story, and why now?” she explains. “Once I have that clarity, I build from there—through scheduling, team building, casting, and eventually production. The vision always comes first.”
One of the biggest challenges she’s faced is striking the balance between sustainability and passion. “Sometimes, I take projects that pay well but don’t align with my creative voice. Other times, I hold out for something like Full Court Press, which was a joy to work on. It’s a constant balancing act—doing what you need to do, while staying patient for what truly excites you.”
Like many in her field, Savvy has been reshaped by the changing media landscape. “YouTube, social media, and independent streaming platforms have transformed everything,” she notes. “You no longer need a big studio to reach your audience—you can build one yourself. That kind of freedom has pushed me to be more innovative.”
Her advice for aspiring producers is clear and empowering: “Try everything. Don’t box yourself in—whether it’s scripted TV, unscripted reality, or documentaries. Versatility is the key to longevity. And if something scares you or pushes you out of your comfort zone, say yes. That’s how you grow.”
With an unwavering voice, a heart for authenticity, and an eye for powerful narratives, Sia Savvy continues to leave her mark—one story at a time.
