Buzz Films wins Nike and Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup Film Competition

Press announcement: 19th August 2009

BUZZ FILMS wins Nike and Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup Film Competition

Nike and Homeless World Cup are delighted to announce Buzz Films as the winner of the “Spiritus Concordia Victoria” Film Competition.

Buzz Films will see up and coming presenter, Buddy, capture the spirit and essence of the Homeless World Cup, which unites 500 players from 48 nations in Milan in September.  Buddy’s last assignment was for National Geographic with a trip through Outer Mongolia.

Over 75 submissions were received from filmmakers from 5 continents when Nike and Homeless World Cup put the call out with a $50,000 fund to produce a short film capturing the  Spirit, Unity, Victory  of The Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup, which takes place in the Arena Civica, Sempione Park from 6-13 September 2009.

“Nike was looking for film makers that could bring to life the excitement and energy of the tournament together with the powerful stories of players who are realizing their potential through sport. We are excited to see how Buddy captures these ‘Gamechangers’ through his combination of humour and authenticity,” said Dave Cobban, Consumer Mobilization Director at Nike.

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, world-class international football tournament energizing people who are homeless with the opportunity to change their lives.  Players wear their shirt for their country, stand proud and over 70% change significantly by coming off drugs or alcohol, moving into homes, finding jobs, resuming their education, or becoming coaches, football players, leaders in their communities, or social entrepreneurs. The Homeless World Cup has triggered and supports grassroots football projects in over 70 nations working with over 100,000 players since the first Graz 2003 Homeless World Cup.

Founded by world-leading social entrepreneur Mel Young, the Homeless World Cup partners and supporters include UEFA, Nike, Vodafone Foundation, Inter Milan, Italian Football Federation, Global Ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba, Rio Ferdinand, Marcel Desailly and Emmanuel Petit.

Buzz Films was formed by directors Jan Bednarz & Robin Schmidt, as a home for diverse documentary and drama projects. The award-winning duo are currently developing a feature length documentary on the socio-environmental impacts of the extractive industry, alongside a number of musical and drama projects.

You will be able to follow their daily blog during the creation of the film at:  www.buzzfilms.co.uk/blog

For more information visit  www.homelessworldcup.org  and  www.nikegamechangers.com

ENDS

For more information contact:

Kat Byles, Communications & Event Director, Homeless World Cup
Telephone:  +44 (0)7901 701 334 |  kat@homelessworldcup.org