The 13th edition of the Thinking Football Film Festival closes by celebrating the power of football to unite, inspire and transform lives
Yesterday, the Thinking Football Film Festival offered an intense day of screenings that combined history, animation, and stories of empowerment. The program included ‘One, Two, Three, Viva Algeria!’, a documentary that retraces the story of this iconic Algerian football slogan -from the FLN team during the War of Independence to the 2010 World Cup- showing its evolution as a symbol of social change. Three short films were also screened, with the special participation of Palestinian footballer and activist Honey Thaljieh at the end of the session.
‘Girls Move Mountains’ told the story of Karishma, a young Wakhi woman who leads a women’s football tournament in the Karakoram mountains, challenging patriarchal norms and promoting gender equality under the guidance of her grandmother. ‘My Very Own Footballer!’ followed Sylvie and Karim, who invest their savings to fulfill their dream of signing a national football player, while ‘Cómo los cosacos jugaron al fútbol’ revived a classic Ukrainian animated film from the 1970s, full of humor and adventure.
During the discussion following the screenings, Honey Thaljieh, ambassador of the Athletic Club’s 125th anniversary, spoke about the club’s stance in favor of peace and human rights and against genocide.
“I feel at home. Bilbao is my second home. People show me their solidarity wherever I go. What happened on October 4th at the Athletic–Mallorca match will never be forgotten – not by me, nor by the Palestinian people. Thank you for giving us a voice, for being our voice.”
Regarding Girls Move Mountains, she added:
“I hope that one day we will no longer have to fight for our rights and that we can live in equality. This film represents the story of many women around the world who continue to fight for their rights – even in Europe.”
“Football is magical. It moves emotions and passions in a unique way. The connection people have with football is immense. In many places, football means happiness, hope, unity. That’s because on the pitch, we are all equal. Football is so much more than winning or losing,” concluded Honey.
This evening at 6 p.m. (CEST), the festival will close with the screenings of ‘Love Lane’ and ‘The Club That George Built’
Today, Sunday, October 12th, the Sala BBK will host the final session of the 13th edition with two special screenings: ‘Love Lane’ and ‘The Club That George Built’.
‘Love Lane’ tells the story of Benny, who, after losing his job and seeing his best friend emigrate, forms a makeshift Sunday League football team to hold on to the past, a decision that sparks a chaotic romance with his flatmate.
The festival closes with ‘The Club That George Built’ (tickets available HERE), a remarkable film about George Dowell, who, after an accident that changed his life, finds purpose in transforming the club of his childhood, Worthing FC. The film documents George’s personal testimony of living with a disability while pursuing a career and fighting for his club’s promotion. The protagonist himself will attend the screening at Sala BBK to present the film during the festival’s closing event.
The Thinking Football Film Festival thus concludes its 13th edition, reaffirming its role as a meeting point between football, cinema, and social reflection, and once again showing that football is much more than just a sport.
