The Film Brawler Fighter About Lukáš Krpálek Won Sportfilm Festival
Films About Věra Čáslavská, Dina Štěrbová, and Brave Bikers Also Take Home Awards

The winners of this year’s Sportfilm Festival Liberec have been announced! At the gala ceremony, the festival’s main award was presented to director Adolf Zika for his film Brawler Fighter. “It is an inspiring portrait of an athlete who proves that true strength lies not only in muscles, but above all in mindset,” the jury commented on the documentary about the Czech Republic’s most successful judoka, Lukáš Krpálek. Awards were also given to the films Behind the Curtains of the High Mountains, Madmen on Bikes, Heart of Games, My Sister, My Agent, Fight, Future Champions: The Price of Glory, and The End of the World.

Although the final screenings of the 28th Sportfilm Festival Liberec took place on Sunday, September 28, the winners of all categories were already announced during the Friday gala. “I am overjoyed and feel a deep sense of fulfillment that we received an award at a festival that brings together the worlds of sports and filmmaking right after the film’s cinema release. Both are very close to my heart,” said director Adolf Zika, who spent the last three years alongside judoka Lukáš Krpálek to create an inspiring portrait that transcends the boundaries of sport itself.

The award for Sports Personality went to Dina Štěrbová, the main figure of the film Behind the Curtains of the High Mountains. The documentary by director Hana Pinkavová follows the mountaineer who, in 1984, became the first woman in the world to summit Cho Oyu and later built a hospital in Pakistan. “Thanks to its authentic approach and powerful human story, the film becomes an inspiring portrait of a woman who, even in challenging times, did not lose hope and transformed her struggle into help for others,” the jury praised.

From the Czech films, Madmen on Bikes by director Matěj Pichler also made an impression, capturing the extreme adventures of two Czech bikers climbing Mera Peak. “The film emphasizes the power of friendship, perseverance, and courage to push one’s limits, offering an inspiring testimony to human will and determination,” the jury noted.

Among other award-winning films, in the Olympic Ideas category, the French film Heart of Games by directors Jules and Gédéon Naudet stood out. This gripping documentary provides a comprehensive view of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the documentary category, the deeply human Belgian film My Sister, My Agent by directors Gilles Simonet and Vincent Stevens received recognition, following a protagonist who succeeds in the predominantly male world of football business while guiding her brother’s career.

The Director’s Award went to the French film The End of the World by Anthony Lietart, while Dina Štěrbová received the Ray of Courage and Hope Award.

For an Honorable Mention, actors Cameron Douglas and Edouard Philipponnat traveled from the USA to present their film The Runner and participate in multiple festival activities. From Australia, director Ashley Morrison attended to showcase Don’t Look Away, a film about seven-time Olympic champion and four-time world gymnastics champion Věra Čáslavská.

The festival began on September 23 with the gala premiere of Brawler Fighter at the Slovan House in Prague, before moving to twelve locations in Liberec, Vratislavice nad Nisou, Lučany nad Nisou, and Jablonec nad Nisou, where the winning film about Lukáš Krpálek was also screened.

Festival guests included actors Jakub Štáfek, Lukáš Tran, Jitka Čvančarová, and directors Petr Kolečko and Václav Marhoul, as well as NBA player Jon Koncak and Olympic athlete Liston Bochette, who took part in discussions with students and audiences.

“This year’s edition was truly unique. A record 451 films from 77 countries were submitted, of which 80 were selected for the main competition. Over fifty were then screened as part of the official program. The participation of international stars was beyond our expectations, and it was likely an extraordinary experience for them as well,” explained festival director Renata Balašová, noting that the final live broadcast from the F. X. Šalda Theatre in Liberec was transmitted by Czech Television.

The Sportfilm Festival Liberec is an international festival of sports films and part of the global FICTS Challenge. Winning films from the Liberec festival are subsequently evaluated in the worldwide finale, where Czech filmmakers regularly receive awards.