Awarded Films from the Sportfilm Festival Shine in Milan!

The Gentle Fighter, a film about judoka Lukáš Krpálek, and Don’t Look Away, a documentary on Věra Čáslavská, triumphed at the world finals of the FICTS series.

From October 7 to 11, 2025, Milan, Italy, became the global capital of sports cinematography as it hosted the prestigious 43rd Milano International FICTS Fest. This renowned international festival represents the grand finale of the worldwide FICTS series, which also includes SPORTFILM LIBEREC as one of its oldest and most respected members. The event culminated in a spectacular gala evening on October 11 at the magnificent Palazzo Lombardia, attended by filmmakers, sports legends, and representatives of international media.

Two outstanding films that captivated the jury of Sportfilm Festival Liberec earlier this year achieved remarkable success on the world stage, both receiving the Mention d’Honneur award in the documentary category. Czech director Adolf Zika was honored for his film The Gentle Fighter, portraying Olympic champion Lukáš Krpálek. The film captures not only his athletic achievements but also the personal story and philosophy of an extraordinary sportsman.

“Lukáš and I are thrilled that our film is being recognized abroad. We hope it will inspire young athletes not only in the Czech Republic,” said Adolf Zika, whose documentary was produced in cooperation with Czech Television.

The second awarded film, the Australian documentary Don’t Turn Away by Ashley Morrison, offers a deeply sensitive portrayal of the challenging life journey of the Czech Republic’s most successful gymnast, Věra Čáslavská.

In recent years, SPORTFILM LIBEREC has become a true incubator of award-winning films. Among the titles that have achieved international recognition are Gabriela Soukalová: The Truth Always Pays Off (2024), The Blue Case (2023), and iconic productions such as Zátopek, The Last Race, and Jan Koller: The Story of an Ordinary Guy (2022). Director Adolf Zika also previously succeeded in Milan with his film Mr. Kriss, while the Czech basketball drama Golden Sting (Zlatý podraz) drew audiences worldwide.

Festival director Renata Balašová commented on the success:

“Czech sports films have become increasingly visible on the world stage in recent years. These awards not only strengthen the prestige of our filmmakers but also enhance the reputation of Sportfilm itself. They open doors to new projects, inspiring people, and exceptional stories that we aim to bring to Liberec again next year.”