An independent filmmaker from Bilbao, David Fernández Graña, has achieved international recognition by winning first place in the Best Open Documentary category at the NYU Sports Film Festival in New York. His short film, Shifting Courts, an intimate piece born from a personal journey, evolves into a universal reflection on community, identity, and play.
The project's origin dates back to September of last year, when the filmmaker traveled to Indonesia with the intention of reconnecting with the feelings of a previous backpacking experience. Without a technical crew and with the idea of developing a personal project away from commercial assignments, he found the story he was looking for in Amed, a small coastal village in Bali.
“"It was almost their first school, a protective space where they learned values and built community."
Shifting Courts focuses on five children preparing for a pickleball tournament in a context marked by mass tourism and the cultural transformation of the island. Through their testimonies, the short film offers a different perspective on sports, moving away from competitiveness. The filmmaker notes that while sports are often understood through competition, here it is shown as a space for connection.
This 11-minute documentary, filmed from an observational and close perspective, builds a narrative that speaks of personal growth and human bonds, always from the viewpoint of the youngest. The project is scheduled to be screened on April 28 at the San Francisco International Film Festival, and will then continue its journey through Europe, with planned stops in Lisbon and Bilbao.
