Screened as part of Ready Steady Doc! The EUNIC Documentary Film Festival

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people, among them the homeless, asylum seekers, former alcoholics and drug addicts. The teams take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. None of them will earn money in this competition – it’s about much more than that: a chance to play themselves back into life.

Kick-Off is a remarkable documentary that follows the Austrian team as they prepare physically and mentally for the tournament in Melbourne Australia in 2008. The film tells the stories of these determined individuals as they regain feelings they lost a long time ago: respect, pride, self-confidence and a renewed zest for life.

Followed by a Q&A with Homeless World Cup President Mel Young and director Hüseyin Tabak.

For festival information and other screenings visit www.europeandocfestival.org.uk/

To find out more about this project visit www.homelessworldcup.org

Austria 2009, 94 minutes, German with English sub-titles