Six films chosen for prestigious awards at OLY House Film Festival

13 | 8 | 2024

Six worthy winners have been announced for the first ever OLY House Film Festival which was held at OLY House Paris 2024 @ Caisse d’Epargne and online at e-OLY House. The films were either made by Olympians or are about the Olympic Movement and the spirit that guides all Olympians.

Twenty-nine films were screened over the 17 days of the Olympic Games in the 96-seat theatre at OLY House and online at e-OLY House. A number of directors and producers, including Olympic Champion Edwin Moses OLY, took part in Q&A sessions after the screening of their films.

WOA President Joël Bouzou OLY said: “Choosing the winners was very difficult. This was a very strong collection of stories that captured the essence of what it is to be an Olympian and how we, as Olympians, can have a major impact for good in society as role models using the power of sport in all sectors of our communities to inspire others and enhance the lives of those around us.”

The six winners selected by the jury of film producer and president of the European Film Academy Mike Downey OBE, WOA president and 4-time Olympian Joël Bouzou OLY and cinematographer Konstantin Esadze and Olympians themselves are:

Best Feature Film: Moses - 13 Steps (Michael Wech)

MOSES - 13 Steps is a powerful exploration of the life and legacy of Edwin Moses, an unparalleled athlete and visionary whose triumphs on and off the track catalysed significant social and scientific change and inspired generations to break barriers of all kinds.

Best Short Film: Surfing Through the Odds (Ana Filipa Domingues)

In São Tomé and Príncipe, where girls traditionally spend most of their day collecting water and helping their families and were previously not allowed to surf, SOMA fights for gender equality through surf therapy, academic support, and mental health education.

Spirit of Sport Award: A Ball (Octavio Maya)

A humble ball speaks to a rich ball and expresses its deepest thoughts about the real meaning of rolling in life.

Olympic Spirit Award: Samir - The Power of Dreams (Eric Bacos)

Samir - The Power of Dreams tells the story of a Moroccan born in France to a modest family who, through his dreams, made sport history by becoming Morocco's first Winter Olympic athlete.

Special Jury Prize: Strong Grandma (Cecilia Brown & Winslow Crane-Murdoch)

Ninety-five-year-old Catherine Kuehn, a world record-winning powerlifter, reflects on the love and loss that brought her to this moment as she prepares for her last competition.

Olympians Choice Award: He Happened (Dejan Acimovic)

He Happened is the story of Ratko Rudic, one of the greatest water polo coaches of all time, featuring 125 prominent figures in water polo who discuss his career, his bad luck as a player and his numerous gold medals as a coach with three different national teams.