NEXT GOAL WINS – We Are Movie Geeks

Director Taika Waititi Kicks Off Toronto International Festival Lineup With World Premiere Soccer Comedy, NEXT GOAL WINS Starring Michael Fassbender

The cast of NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

TIFF announced today that Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, a soccer comedy directed and co-written by the New Zealand filmmaker, will make its World Premiere at the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (September 7–17).

“We’re thrilled to welcome Taika back to the Festival and share his audacious take on the most popular sport in the world,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Next Goal Wins is perfect for TIFF fans of the beautiful game looking for their football fill until the 2026 World Cup arrives.”

The TIFF Ebert Director Award recipient was last at the Festival in 2019 with the World Premiere of Jojo Rabbit. The film went on to win the TIFF People’s Choice Award and an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Taika Waititi on the set of NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, with Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss. The heartfelt sports comedy is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name and follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around.

Next Goal Wins is a Searchlight Pictures film and opens in theaters November 17, 2023.

More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF 2023 go on-sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on August 18. For more details visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released in August.

Watch The New Trailer For Taika Waititi’s NEXT GOAL WINS Starring Michael Fassbender

Searchlight Pictures has released a first trailer for NEXT GOAL WINS.

Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.

The cast includes Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Rhys Darby, Taika Waititi and Will Arnett.

The film’s score is from composer Michael Giacchino.

NEXT GOAL WINS opens only in theaters November 17th.

Oscar Kightley and Michael Fassbender in NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

Michael Fassbender and Kaimana in NEXT GOAL WINS. Photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

Taika Waititi’s Next Film NEXT GOAL WINS About American Samoan Soccer Team Begins Production

Fox Searchlight Pictures announced on Thursday that it has acquired Worldwide rights to NEXT GOAL WINS, the new feature from director Taika Waititi (JOJO RABBIT, THOR: RAGNAROK). The film began production last week in Honolulu, Hawaii. NEXT GOAL WINS is written by Waititi and Iain Morris, and stars Michael Fassbender (STEVE JOBS, 12 YEARS A SLAVE) and Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale, US).

Waititi is producing alongside Jonathan Cavendish and Garrett Basch, with Andy Serkis, Will Tennant, and Kathryn Dean serving as executive producers. Additional producers include Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, who directed the 2014 documentary from which the film is based.

The film will be overseen by Presidents of Production for Film and Television David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield, SVP of Production DanTram Nguyen, and VP Production Taylor Friedman.

NEXT GOAL WINS tells the story of the American Samoa soccer team, who suffered the worst loss in World Cup history, losing to Australia 31-0 in 2001. With the 2014 World Cup approaching, the team recruits a down on his luck, maverick coach (Fassbender) to help turn their fate around.

Rounding out the ensemble cast are Oscar Kightley (Aroha Bridge, THE BREAKER UPPERERS), David Fane (The Barefoot Bandits, Westside), Beulah Koale (Hawaii Five-0, ENEMY WITHIN), Lehi Falepapalangi (Future Man, Hawaii Five-0), Semu Filipo (Harry, SHOW OF HANDS), Uli Latukefu (ALIEN: COVENANT, MARCO POLO), Rachel House (MOANA, THOR: RAGNAROK) and Kaimana in her debut role.

Waititi stated, “I’ve just started production on my next film, NEXT GOAL WINS. We have such an amazing cast and crew behind this film, and I’m stoked to be partnering once again with the lovely people at Fox Searchlight Pictures.”

“Taika is an incredible talent and master at bringing honesty and humanity to the surface in any story. We are thrilled to be working with him again on such an extraordinary true story of perseverance in the face of defeat. He has brought together a terrific group of actors, craftspeople and sports players to bring this unique story to life,” said Greenfield and Greenbaum.

NEXT GOAL WINS is an Imaginarium / Defender / Garrett Basch Production for Fox Searchlight Pictures.

PRIDE Movie Wins At 17th Moët British Independent Film Awards

A glittering array of talent turned out this evening for the 17th Moët British Independent Film Awards. The winners were announced at the star-studded ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate, which was hosted by THE INBETWEENERS star, Simon Bird.

The lucky winners took home the iconic award designed by Fredrikson Stallard and created by Swarovski as well as a personalised, Swarovski crystal encrusted magnum of Moët & Chandon.

Best British Independent Film was won by PRIDE. Yann Demange won Best Director for ’71, Gugu Mbatha-Raw won Best Actress for BELLE and Brendan Gleeson won Best Actor for CALVARY. Andrew Scott collected his award for Best Supporting Actor for PRIDE and Imelda Staunton took home her award for Best Supporting Actress also for her role in PRIDE.

PRIDE won the most awards on the night, picking up Best British Independent Film, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor.

As previously announced, Emma Thompson was awarded the coveted Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film, and Benedict Cumberbatch the Variety Award, which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to shine the international spotlight on the UK. The Special Jury Prize went to John Boorman.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards are proud to announce the following winners for 2014 (highlighted below in red):

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM
Sponsored by Moët & Chandon
’71
Calvary
Mr Turner
Pride
The Imitation Game

BEST DIRECTOR
Sponsored by All City & Intermission
John Michael McDonagh – Calvary
Lenny Abrahamson – Frank
Matthew Warchus – Pride
Mike Leigh – Mr Turner
Yann Demange – ’71

THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR]
Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios
Daniel Wolfe, Matthew Wolfe – Catch Me Daddy
Hong Khaou – Lilting
Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard – 20,000 Days on Earth
Morgan Matthews – X+Y
Yann Demange – ’71

BEST SCREENPLAY
Sponsored by BBC Films
Graham Moore – The Imitation Game
Gregory Burke – ’71
John Michael McDonagh – Calvary
Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan – Frank
Stephen Beresford – Pride

BEST ACTRESS
Sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics
Alicia Vikander – Testament of Youth
Cheng Pei Pei – Lilting
Gugu Mbatha-Raw – Belle
Keira Knightley – The Imitation Game
Sameena Jabeen Ahmed – Catch Me Daddy

BEST ACTOR Sponsored by Movado
Asa Butterfield – X+Y
Benedict Cumberbatch – The Imitation Game
Brendan Gleeson – Calvary
Jack O’Connell – ’71
Timothy Spall – Mr Turner

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Dorothy Atkinson – Mr Turner
Imelda Staunton – Pride
Maggie Gyllenhaal – Frank
Sally Hawkins – X+Y
Sienna Guillory – The Goob

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Sponsored by St Martins Lane
Andrew Scott – Pride
Ben Schnetzer – Pride
Michael Fassbender – Frank
Rafe Spall – X+Y
Sean Harris – ‘71

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Ben Schnetzer – Pride
Cara Delevingne – The Face of An Angel
Gugu Mbatha-Raw – Belle
Liam Walpole – The Goob
Sameena Jabeen Ahmed – Catch Me Daddy

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
’71
20,000 Days on Earth
Catch Me Daddy
Lilting
The Goob

BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Chris Wyatt – Editing – ’71
Dick Pope – Cinematography – Mr Turner
Robbie Ryan – Cinematography – Catch Me Daddy
Stephen Rennicks – Music – Frank
Tat Radcliffe – Cinematography – ’71

BEST DOCUMENTARY
20,000 Days on Earth
Next Goal Wins
Night Will Fall
The Possibilities Are Endless
Virunga

BEST BRITISH SHORT
Crocodile
Emotional Fusebox
Keeping Up With The Joneses
Slap
The Kármán Line

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM
Blue Ruin
Boyhood
Fruitvale Station
Ida
The Babadook

THE RAINDANCE AWARD
Flim: The Movie…
Gregor
Luna
Keeping Rosy
The Beat Beneath My Feet

THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film)
Emma Thompson

THE VARIETY AWARD
Benedict Cumberbatch

THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
John Boorman

(L to R) Bill Bailey, Emma Thompson, winner of the Richard Harris Award, and Jared Harris

Now in its 17th year, the Awards were created by Raindance in 1998 and set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honor new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public.

Previous winners of the prestigious Best British Independent Film Award include METRO MANILA, TYRANNOSAUR, THE KING’S SPEECH, MOON, CONTROL, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, THE CONSTANT GARDENER and THIS IS ENGLAND.

Joint Directors; The Moët British Independent Film Awards Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: “In our final year as Directors it is terrific to see such an amazing mix of the established and new being represented in our honourees tonight. The range of diverse and unique talent in this country is awe inspiring. Our jury has had some truly tough decisions to make. We hope these results will excite audiences and encourage more people to search out these films creating a greater demand for British Independent cinema. 2014 also sees us celebrate five years of a fabulous partnership with title sponsor Moët & Chandon, who add that extra sparkle each year for which we are incredibly grateful.”

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Brendan Gleeson

Andrew Scott

(L to R) Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, winner of The Variety Award, and Keira Knightley

Presenter Dame Helen Mirren

Emma Thompson (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for The Moet British Independent Film Awards)

(L to R) Producer Kristian Brodle, directors Mike Brett, and Steve Jamison, winners of the Best British Documentary award for “Next Goal Wins”

NEXT GOAL WINS – The Review

Review by Kathy Kaiser

In the new documentary NEXT GOAL WINS, Mike Brett and Steve Jamison tell the real- life story of the American Samoan Men’s Soccer team, destined to be in the record books as “the worst team ever” in professional soccer, falling in 2001 to Australia 31 – 0. Wanting to change their course in history as the lowest ranked team in the FIFA standings, this Pacific Island team works year, after year, after year, trying to perfect their craft and change their destiny and their title as the “worst team to ever play the sport of professional Football/Soccer”

With the outcome of each game being just as the one before, American Samoa continues to feel the pain of loss and defeat. Wanting to change the plight that has plagued them for years, they decide as a team – and as a nation – to reach out to the US Soccer Federation to see if anyone is willing to take on this team, and turn them into WINNERS. Only one coach steps forward to attempt the impossible – Dutch born coach Thomas Rongen.

As Rongen evaluates what he has to work with – or not – he devises a plan to turn each and every man on this team into a REAL Soccer player. Thrown by a culture that he doesn’t understand, compounded by a lack of physicality that he hasn’t seen before in his athletes, Rongen realizes that this situation may be even worse that he had anticipated. Rongen decides that their only hope to turn around this team in time to compete in the 2014 World Cup Qualifier is to find a couple Samoans that can fill in the gaps of his fledgling team. Thomas finds Samoan born Rawlston Masanai and Charles Uhrle, now both living in the states – but willing to return to their home land to assist. With these two new guys in place, and the return of their 31 year old goalie Nicky Salapu – who actually took the beating they received in their 31-0 loss against Australia, and who would love nothing more than to be able to change the future of this team, and his own future in the process. Rongen thinks he may now have all the pieces in place to bring American Samoa their first win. But will this team of professional workers – NOT professional athletes – ever be able to change their reputation as the worst team ever to hit the field in professional soccer – and actually start winning games???

I give NEXT GOAL WINS 5 out of 5 stars – Whether you love soccer, or any sport for that matter, or just enjoying viewing heart- warming films filled with lots of meaning and purpose, NEXT GOAL WINS is a must see for you and your entire family! Watching these men give their hearts and souls for the love of the game, and the love of their country, made for an awesome viewing experience. Being able to see these men/athletes persevere in the jaws of defeat and to achieve the impossible is truly compelling. I believe that every athlete, every coach, every manger of any sports program should view this film – as it will educate and inspire anyone who is associated with any sport, at any level, to become the best that you can be! Seeing how Rongen himself had to restructure his coaching philosophies – and his philosophies of life itself too – in order to bring this team to the professional level they needed to achieve was amazing. As a former athlete and mother of two children who are still in athletics, I cried a few tears along the way too, as this film is as real-life as it gets. Kudos to Mike Brett and Steve Jamison for bringing this story to the big screen, and showing the world that anything is within your reach, just as long as you NEVER GIVE UP!!

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