Sport Stories from around the African Commonwealth

As part of Africa in Motion (AiM) Film Festival’s commonwealth programme, Sports Stories from around the African Commonwealth, Dunoon Burgh Hall is screening Streetball, telling the stories of South Africa’s Homeless World Cup team.

Years after the end of apartheid South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world. In 2008, as the country prepares to host the FIFA World Cup, everyone is brimming with excitement, and new airports and stadiums are built to welcome visitors from across the world. Streetball looks behind the scenes of this euphoria and tells the stories of South Africa’s 2008 Homeless World Cup team. The Homeless World Cup is an annual soccer tournament that draws teams from over 56 countries – comprised of the homeless and excluded. The SA Squad consists of ex-convicts, former gangsters, orphans and recovering drug addicts that band together to represent their country, proving that no one is beyond redemption. This documentary highlights the dreams and aspirations of the team and shows the hope, endurance and resilience that dwell within the human spirit.

This film is part of the the Africa in Motion programme which will include over 20 films from across the African Commonwealth, allowing Scotland Commonwealth spectators to watch boxing in Ghana, cycling in Rwanda, long-distance running in Kenya, surfing in South Africa, football in Nigeria and much more. The festival will use sport to highlight some of the main aims of the Commonwealth including HIV/AIDS awareness, democracy, refugee and asylum seekers and the history of slavery. Viewers will be taken on a visual journey through the African Commonwealth highlighting triumphs and key challenges through sports.