The Athletic Coup Announces Festival Start In Athens

The Athletic Coup announces the start of the festival in Athens, Greece, with the first edition taking place at the Technopolis Amphitheater on May 21, 2024.



Festival Highliths

Tickets are available for 10€ HERE.

The Athletic Coup was born out of a desire to uncover the hidden gems of the athletic world, including motivational amateur athlete stories and niche sports.

Through the art of film, the film festival brings to life the passion, dedication and triumphs of athletes from all walks of life, inspiring audiences to dream big and strive for greatness.

After a year of selecting films from around the world, the first edition of the festival is now announced to take place in Athens, Greece on May 21, 2024. The partnering venue is at the prestigious Technopolis City of Athens, an old gasworks plant in the center of Athens that has been transformed into one of the most renowned cultural hubs in the city.

From the Official Selections, the following films will be shown:

REBOUND - Documentary - THE ATHLETIC COUP FESTIVAL WINNER

Sebastien Bellin, a former professional basketball player, is on his way to New York, departing from Brussels Airport. As he was receiving his boarding pass, a bomb exploded in the Brussels airport. As he runs toward security, a second bomb explodes a few feet away. Bellin nearly died in a terrorist attack on March 22, 2016.

With some luck and help, he survives and keeps his legs after 13 surgeries. We see him thanking the Greek doctor who saved him. Six years later, Bellin completes the Ironman Triathlon of Hawaii as a disabled athlete.

Directed by: Tim Vervoort, Vincent Stevens, Gilles Simonet Watertower TV Productions

Country of origin: Belgium

IAN - Short

This short documentary follows the remarkable journey of 72-year-old Australian climber, Ian Elliott. Ian's extraordinary climbing ability defies age stereotypes, showcasing his resilience and challenging societal perceptions.

Directed by: Matt Raimondo

Country of Origin: Australia

The story of a man raised by the ocean in Brazil. Ocean athlete Joao Daniel Edde developed a unique connection with the water and developed admirable skills, whether underwater or gliding over it.

Directed by: Felipe Eisenberger

Country of Origin: Brazil

Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima was supposed to win the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. However, while leading the marathon after 35 km at the 2004 Summer Olympics, he was attacked on the course. He returned to Athens for the 2023 marathon. This documentary, produced exclusively for The Athletic Coup, chronicles his relationship with Athens and the marathon.

Directed by: Pedro Damasio

Country of Origin: Brazil

Every year, 200 runners brave the cold, glaciers and trails of Nepal's Khumbu massif to meet at Everest Base Camp (5300m) and take part in the world's highest marathon.

Gabriel, Mathieu and Elyar, 3 childhood friends and office workers from Paris and London, take on the challenge of running and finishing this high altitude race despite their relative inexperience in trail running.

The film follows their preparation, the 11-day trek to base camp and the race on D- Day, along with testimonials from athletes around the world and interviews with the organizers of this legendary event.

Directed by: Gabriel du Chalard de Taveau

Country of Origin: France

Founder and Festival Director Melanie Marten says, "When we embarked on this journey to create a new film festival celebrating amateur athletes, we weren't sure if there was content out there beyond the professional sports stories. But we were overwhelmed by the emotional and motivational film submissions we received, and we are honored to be able to showcase them at the Technopolis Amphitheater, in a former gas holder turned auditorium, in a historic area of Athens that has been transformed into a hub of innovation, entertainment and culture.“