El petit peó takes centre stage on a Thursday of resilience and dreams at BCN Sports Film Festival
BCN Sports Film Festival has enjoyed today, Thursday 26 February, a day marked by overcoming challenges and the human side of sport, with sessions in Barcelona and Salt and a very special closing at Cinemes Girona: the screening of El petit peó, dedicated to the story of Arturo “Arturito” Pomar, the chess child prodigy in post-war Spain.
Olympic Museum | “Screen & Sport: Stories III”: a story that moves you from the inside
The afternoon began at the Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sports Museum with Screen & Sport: Stories III, a session that once again builds bridges between cinema and sport through stories where what matters is not the outcome, but what happens within. On screen, Curveballs highlighted how sport can also be a way to navigate change, setbacks and second chances.
Cinemes Girona | “Resiliencies”: body, mind and the strength to believe again
Next, Cinemes Girona hosted Resiliencies, a session bringing together three short films that explore the power of sport and physical expression as paths to personal transformation—from the coach–athlete relationship as a driver to regain confidence, to pieces that connect balance, control and mental health.
The session was also attended by Fran López, producer of Aliento, a feature-length documentary that follows the story of David Sánchez Sierra, a Paralympic swimmer, on his journey to the Paris 2024 Games. After coming close to quitting swimming, the arrival of his coach Alberto (Berto) Martínez becomes a turning point: the film reveals the less visible side of high performance—training, routines, competitions, doubts and setbacks—and the importance of support in order to believe again. And also Andy Caballero, actress in CARTE NOIR.
EUSES (Salt) | “Dreams and Overcoming”: stories that inspire you to keep going
In parallel, the festival travelled to EUSES (Salt Campus) with Dreams and Overcoming, a session celebrating resilience and determination through three productions about effort, inclusion and courage: Following the dream, La gran esmaixada and Superolímpics: la competició de les seves vides.
Centre Cívic Bon Pastor | “At the Limit”: extreme emotion and a connection with nature
The day’s programme also included At the Limit at Bon Pastor Civic Centre, a session bringing together stories of adventure and risk, where surfing, mountains and movement become a way to explore the line between fear, freedom and adrenaline.
Cinemes Girona | The Little Pawn, with the director in attendance: talent, pressure, and a life across 64 squares
The day closed with one of the most anticipated sessions: The Little Pawn, a documentary that revisits the figure of Arturo Pomar and the fine line between talent and pressure, glory and solitude. The screening was attended by its director, Joan Gamero, who joined the audience in the theatre.
Check the programme and book your tickets on the festival website.
