Soccer and film fans- it's time to celebrate!

The Kicking & Screening International Soccer Film Festival, a pioneering festival of soccer-themed films with appearances from renowned soccer players, opens July 14 in NYC.

Five nights, five events, one game.

Events include soccer films rarely seen in the US, such as Les Yeux dans les Bleus, an intimate look at the French National team during the '98 World Cup. 

Kicking & Screening also proudly presents FC Barcelona Confidential, which underscores how the world's most popular soccer club is more than just a Catalan institution or a team.  The film will be introduced by the NY Red Bulls' Albert Cedales, who has also played for Real Madrid, FC Barcelona  and the Spanish National team.

On Wednesday, July 15, Kicking & Screening, in association with Downtown United Soccer Club, features Once in A Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the NY Cosmos, with special appearances by former Cosmos stars Shep Messing and Giorgio Chinaglia.

This special evening will also feature freestyle demonstrations by the NY Red Bulls Street Soccer team.  A short highlighting DUSC's City Soccer Initiative will precede the feature. From inner-city kids to big kids with Pele, the evening toasts the ongoing efforts to grow the beautiful game in NYC.
 
"These movies tap into the international language of soccer and are fueled with the unique passion we all share for the game." --Alexi Lalas, former US National team star.


The festival closes Saturday, July 18 with a rare screening of In the Hands of the Gods, which follows the journey of soccer freestylers from the UK making their way to Argentina in search of their idol, Diego Maradona.

All screenings cost $11, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Grassroot Soccer, a nonprofit leveraging soccer to help in the fight against HIV/ AIDS in Africa.

Unlike traditional film festivals, Kicking & Screening takes places in varied, soccer-friendly venues in NYC, including Opia, TriBeCa Grand Screening Room, Slainte, The Spanish Benevolent Society, and Central Bar.

Come celebrate the passion and excitement of soccer as captured and expressed on film.