KARIM’S FOOTSTEPS, winner of the 14th edition of the BCN Sports Film Festival

The closing ceremony of the 14th edition of the BCN Sports Film Festival, held at the Museu Olímpic i de l’Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch has been a meeting point between the world of cinema, sport, politics and society. Karim’s footsteps has been proclaimed winner of this new edition.

David Escudé, president of the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica, was in charge of awarding the Amphora Ciutat de Barcelona to the best film of the 14th edition of the BCN Sports Film to “KARIM’S FOOTSTEPS”, a production directed and produced by Javier Álvaro Palomares, which tells the story of Abdul Karim, the most famous porter of the Karakorum. Karim was born in Hushé, a small village in northern Pakistan, where the only way to get some money to survive the harsh winters is to work on expeditions to the great mountains of the country.

The event was attended by Juli Pernas, patron of the Barcelona Olympic Foundation and member of the executive committee of the FICTS, Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs, among other personalities.

The official jury – formed by Felipe de la Cruz, director, scriptwriter and producer; Josep Roca, graduate in Hispanic philology and coordinator of major sporting events at the Barcelona City Council; Marie Ponsardin, organizer of the Quais du départ festival; Marta Figueras, audiovisual producer; and Natalia Via-Dufresne, professional sailor – wanted to award two special mentions and a special prize to three productions due to the high quality of all of them.

The jury’s special prize went to “THE GOOSE”, a Czech work directed by Jan Mika and produced by Michal Podhradsky. They also wanted to give two special mentions to “SANTORINI, EL PARADÍS DEL PARKOUR” directed by Biel Macià and produced by Rubén Seca. And a second mention for “EL JUEGO DE SU VIDA”, directed by Alejando Miñarro and produced by Berenice Aneiros.

The BCN Sports Film Festival is characterized by the diversity of awards, which this year have been given to:

Best Animation Production Award

PETE

North American animated production based on a true story about gender identity and Little League baseball. Directed by Bret Parker, who sent a personal thank-you video, and produced by Pete Barma.

Best Documentary Production Award

RETURN TO YOUR CORNER

A documentary on the story of the first African world boxing champion, Battling Siki. Juli Pernas, patron of the Barcelona Olympic Foundation and member of the board of the Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs, together with Joan Manuel Surroca, Olympic journalist and collaborator of the Centre d’Estudis Olímpics Joan Antoni Samaranch, presented the award to Ashley Morrison, director of the production.

Award for best fiction production

ON THE SIDELINES

French fiction production about the story of Amra, who is torn between being with his family and fulfilling his dream of making his debut in professional soccer. Directed by Kahina Ben Amar and produced by Yannick Beauquis. Inès Asnoun, the film’s actress, received the award from Francesc Terrón, director of the Barcelona Olympic Foundation.

Award for Best Adventure Sports Production – Alvaro Bultó

INNUSUK, THE WAY HOME

A Polish climbing film set on the west coast of Greenland during the winter. Directed and produced by Marcin Tomaszewski, who could not be with us at the event but sent a personal thank-you video.

Sport and Society Award

ABOUT ELAS

Brazilian documentary that deals with different female alliances, portraying movements of mutual support in which different women participate. Its director, Bruna Arcangelo has sent a personal thank-you video.

Award to the best Catalan production

GENERACIÓ ELECTRON

A Catalan production that pays tribute to a generation of Catalan speleologists who continued the legacy of the pioneers. The award was presented by Agustí Argelich, artistic director of the festival, to Marc Navarro, director and producer of the short film.