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Strand Releasing Acquires “Diamond Diplomacy” Baseball Documentary

5/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Strand Releasing acquired North American rights to “Diamond Diplomacy” after Producer Marc Smolowitz of 13th Gen negotiated the deal.
The documentary chronicles baseball’s 1872 introduction to Japan and its modern impact, featuring Shohei Ohtani.
It premiered at the 2025 Mill Valley Film Festival, screened at Hot Springs, Newport Beach and Hawaii festivals, was runner-up for the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize, and will receive a theatrical rollout in the fall.

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Story summary

Strand Releasing acquired North American rights to “Diamond Diplomacy” after Producer Marc Smolowitz of 13th Gen negotiated the deal.
The documentary chronicles baseball’s 1872 introduction to Japan and its modern impact, featuring Shohei Ohtani.
It premiered at the 2025 Mill Valley Film Festival, screened at Hot Springs, Newport Beach and Hawaii festivals, was runner-up for the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize, and will receive a theatrical rollout in the fall.