FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2025
Contact:
Diane Shifflett, Producer
Orange Door Productions
dianeshifflettaz@gmail.com
(520) 631-5440
Alaska Historical Society Backs Documentary on Epic Anchorage Newspaper Rivalry
ANCHORAGE, AK – Orange Door Productions is proud to announce that the Alaska Historical Society has come aboard as the fiscal sponsor for The Great Alaska Newspaper War, a feature documentary set to be released in 2027.
The film, directed by former Anchorage Times sportswriter Scott Lacy, explores a high-stakes battle that once gripped Alaska’s largest city—when two fiercely competitive newspapers vied for dominance in the daily lives of Alaskans. At its height, many Anchorage residents subscribed to both the Anchorage Daily News and the Anchorage Times, caught up in a tug-of-war for scoops, advertisers, and influence.
Now, for the first time on film, that chapter of Alaska’s media history will be told through in-depth interviews, archival footage, and striking cinematography. Lacy has spoken with editors, journalists, and community members who witnessed the drama firsthand.
“This is way more than just a story about two newspapers trying to outcompete one another,” said Lacy. “It’s also a story about Alaska itself and the pitched battle to define whether it would remain a pristine wilderness or become a resource colony for the Lower 48.”
Lacy, who now lives in Durham, NC, returns to Alaska this September to complete final interviews, gather archival materials, and film B-roll scenes across Anchorage and beyond. He will come with pointed questions: Were you there? What side were you on? What in the world happened?
Despite the story’s local roots, its message resonates far beyond state lines.
“This isn’t solely an Anchorage story,” said producer Diane Shifflett. “It’s a powerful reminder of how vital local journalism is—especially in small towns and remote communities.”
The Alaska Historical Society’s sponsorship will allow Orange Door Productions to apply for grants and funding through a nonprofit fiscal partnership, strengthening the film’s foundation as it enters the final phase of production.
“We’re in,” wrote AHS board member David Ramseur in a message to Shifflett, expressing excitement about the Society’s new role as the film’s administrative arm.
“We are thrilled to receive this good news from the Alaska Historical Society,” Shifflett added. “Our project is now anchored down in Anchorage!”
About Orange Door Productions
Orange Door Productions is a documentary film company committed to telling stories that uncover the overlooked, challenge assumptions, and connect communities to their own history—one frame at a time.