You did it, New York. You raised the bar again (!) with your passion for the game -- in all its manifestations -- and with your steadfast support for the Kicking + Screening Soccer Film Festival in New York.
It was a week full of topnotch features, outstanding shorts, captivating panels, and world-class fun. All in all, three out of four nights were sold out, and every night was a blast.
A few highlights from last week's #KSFilmFest:
Night 1: The humor and humility of world champion foosballers Tony Spredeman (pictured below), Rob Mares, and Todd Loffredo after the screening of Joe Heslinga's Foosballers. They were genuinely thrilled to be there, and happily attended the late-night foosball tournament at Fat Cat. Rumor is it went til 5AM!
Night 2: If you're not a fan of Eintracht Frankfurt after seeing The Return of the Cup and the Q+A with board member Axel Hellmann (pictured below, second from left), then we don't know what to say. His excitement about the future of Eintracht was infectious.
Night 3: The emotional rollercoaster of an evening dedicated to strong, amazing women and stories about breaking down barriers. It was capped off by the rousing panel featuring Tracy Hamm (star of Coach), Mandy Freeman(Sky Blue FC player), and Eglantina Zingg (founder of Goleadoras).
Freeman's comments pretty much summed it up. "Greatness has no gender, has no race, has no sexual orientation. It’s just, if you’re a great player, you’re a great player & that’s all that should matter.” Well said.
Night 4: Bagpipes led a procession of the Kearny, NJ, soccer community up Park Ave. Yes, bagpipes. And that set the tone for a raucous, fun world premiere of Soccertown USA and the Closing Night Party presented by the New York Red Bulls. A fitting way to end.
The end. It's the worst part of the festival even if Night 4 is always fun. We have to thank all of the filmmakers, the partners and friends, our incredible volunteers -- shoutout to Jessie and Barbara! -- everyone at Scandinavia House, and, most important, you, the passionate soccer community that brought our 11th festival in NY to life in such a fantastic way.
We can't wait for year 12. See you then!
P.S. Check out who won the Golden Whistle for the best film at K+S New York 2019.
P.P.S. Check out who won our new audience honor, the Player Pass Award.