Special Screening: "Playing for Peace" launch event, March 31

We’re ready to roll again.

On Wednesday, March 31, we will host our first event since the pandemic hit. And we couldn’t be more excited! (The exclamation point says it all, no?)

In partnership with Women in Soccer, we will host a virtual screening of the short documentary Playing for Peace. The screening will be followed by a discussion with director Arielle Thomas Sabol, joined by Women in Soccer founder Courtney Carroll Levinsohn.

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The event will begin at 7:00PM ET. Attendance is free, but registration is required to attend the screening. NOTE: A link for the virtual streaming page and the post-film discussion will be sent on Tuesday, March 30, to everyone who registers.

Playing for Peace synopsis: In the middle of the Negev Desert lies the Israeli city of Be’er Sheva. Home to the football club HaPoel Be’er Sheva, the city has equal number of Muslim and Jewish residents and sits only 20 km south of the West Bank. Hapoel Be’er Sheva was plagued by a 40-year championship drought until a new owner, Alona Barkat, came in with a vision of tolerance and acceptance. With this vision, Alona, the first woman owner of an Israeli soccer team, brought the club their long-awaited championship.

More than just football, Playing for Peace is a story of creating a team of champions with a culture of tolerance and acceptance. This team and fan base leave people questioning: if peace is possible on the pitch and in the stands, where else can it be possible?

About Women in Soccer: Women in Soccer is a new network on a mission to connect ALL women and allies who love the beautiful game to create a more equitable soccer industry. Whether you’re on the field, or cheering from the stands, work in the business, want to be in the business, or are a passionate changemaker—the WIS network is here to support you. Become a member and join the squad today!

See you soon!

— Greg, K+S co-founder

Watch "Young Beckham," the heartwarming story of a boy who gets help from his hero

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The soccer film Young Beckham — about an American boy with big dreams, low confidence, and a magical talking poster of Becks himself — is the inspiring story we all need right now.

The film stars Brighton Lee Sagal, Ryan Hopper, and Will Parry as the voice of the “David Beckham poster.” It is directed by Jared Sagal and produced by Rockerrazzi Films.

Watch the full film below:

OK, 2021, let's do this!

Welcome to a new beginning!

As we all know, 2020 was a full-on howler. Pandemic, social unrest, layoffs, fractured politics, etc.

K+S New York was postponed, then canceled (did we mention that?).

But this week marks the inauguration of a new era. As soccer fans, we are naturally optimistic about what the future will bring. And we have some big ideas for how to make this year really special.

After all, 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of my all-time favorite soccer film: Victory. And we’re going to celebrate like it’s 1981!

Thanks for reading!
— Greg

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Yes, the festival will happen this year.

We are currently in the process of planning and laying out what the year will look like for K+S. At this point, it’s hard to say anything for certain, but here’s what we’re thinking:

  • 2-3 K+S virtual events between February and June

  • Film submission deadline: June 1

  • K+S New York 2021 in late July/August/September

Let us know what you think. If vaccinations go the right way and the world begins to open up again, would you be willing to attend an in-person film festival in late summer?

Have a film you’d like to submit? Go to the K+S FilmFreeway page. The submission password is SOCCERFILM.


The Martini Shot podcast (coming soon)

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There are so many great stories behind the scenes of the soccer film and culture world. Stories we want to tell.

So we are going to launch a podcast. We’re calling it The Martini Shot, named for the last shot of the day on a film set. The show will feature filmmakers, actors, writers, artists, and influencers — the people who make the soccer film and culture community so amazing. Maybe some players and coaches will join now and then to give their perspectives of the movie scene.

More info on The Martini Shot to come soon.


Watch some soccer films

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While the next festival is a ways off, don’t forget that the K+S Media Group website has lots of great soccer films to watch right now, including:

  • After the Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United — Amid the centuries-old strife that tears the Middle East asunder, can soccer provide a unique ray of hope? Watch now!

  • Football for Better or for Worse — FC Rosengård is one of the world's top women’s clubs. But that doesn’t mean everything is easy. Watch now!

  • Soka Afrika — The good, the bad, and the ugly of soccer immigration from Africa to Europe, as seen through the journeys of two young players. Watch now!

And we are working on a few new films which should come on line soon.


#SoccerFilm News

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The past year obviously affected much of the film industry. Despite that, soccer-film projects continue to make headlines.

  • Captains of Zaatari (film still above)directed by Ali El Arabi, was selected for the Sundance Film Festival. The feature film about two boys who use their soccer talent to escape a refugee camp will screen virtually Jan 31 and Feb 2. Get tickets…

  • The new doc Pelé is coming to Netflix on February 23. Watch the trailer…

  • A film about the NASL? Yes, please! Big-Time Soccer, made by Rachel Viollet, is in post-production and expected later this year. Watch the trailer…

  • Hannes Thor Halldorsson, Iceland’s World Cup goalkeeper, is a budding filmmaker. He made the reveal video for the Iceland federation’s new crest, and now he is working on his first feature film. Read more…


A few cool things to check out:

  • Women in Soccer — a new online networking community supporting and empowering women in the soccer industry

  • American Tifo — Filmmaker Maura Gladys’s newsletter about the people, places, and stories defining soccer culture in North America

Check out the trailer for Jason Sudeikis's upcoming soccer comedy "Ted Lasso"

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We all saw the hilarious short video that Jason Sudeikis did a while back for NBC Sports. In it, we were introduced to Ted Lasso, an American gridiron football coach who takes over as manager of an English soccer club.

The success of that short has led to a full series. Ted Lasso, the series, comes out on Apple TV+ on August 14, and it looks like a lot of fun.

Here’s the official trailer:

"Bull. Eagle. Dragon. Giant." The Iceland crest reveal video is as intense as you'd expect

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Around the world, Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson is best known for stopping a Lionel Messi penalty at the 2018 World Cup. At home, he's also known for his filmmaking talents.

Which is why the Icelandic federation turned to Halldorsson to direct the reveal video for the national team's new crest. Not only is the crest very cool, but the short film is so intense and so loaded with Norse iconography and themes -- Bull. Eagle. Dragon. Giant. -- that we dare you to watch it and not feel confident against Messi from the penalty spot. We double dare you to watch the Icelandic version and not want to take on the whole world!

A soccer player that loves to make films is like a god for us. Hail Halldorsson!