12.10.2015

Bullying and homophobia addressed in Dutch Football People weeks’ film

Football clubs and human rights associations in the Netherlands are being invited to support a film initiative that will use football to address homophobia and bullying.

Born out of the need to raise awareness of the problem among young people, the film is an educational resource to combat social exclusion.

Developed and produced by the Dutch organisation Stitching Follow Focus 'Buly' tells the story of two teenagers going through different challenges.

The first is the story of a lesbian teenage girl, regularly bullied at her school, who the audience will see fight and overcome the situation, the second is the story of a football player struggling with a past with a problematic childhood and his depressive mother.

The film, which is being produced with the help and volunteer work of 173 actors and 54 crewmembers, will be launched with an educational package developed in cooperation with several LGBT-rights associations working together with major football clubs in the Netherlands, including ADO The Hague, AZ Alkmaar, PSV Eindhoven and Excelsior Rotterdam.

Between 11-17 October, as part of the Football People action weeks, the organisation will give children the opportunity to visit the set and watch the shooting of the film, while sharing this experience with the World Wide Web via a live-blog. The activity is looking to start discussions around the topics addressed and, at the same time, create a momentum around the film.

The film premier is scheduled for 2016, where in collaboration with Amsterdam ArenA it will be presented to an audience of 34.000 people in the current home of AFC Ajax. After, it will tour around schools and LGBT-rights associations in the Netherlands, reaching a broader audience.

The initiative is already gathering the support of Dutch film and music stars, including Carel Struycken, as well as football clubs.

AZ Alkmaar, PSV Eindhoven, Excelsior Rotterdam and ADO Den Haag will further their participation by donating autographed football balls and t-shirts and by promoting the film through their media channels.

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