Zwemmer

Concerning disabled sports, the outside world often thinks of the sport performance itself. What we don’t realise is the extra effort that is required from these athletes to even get to play their sport. The road to exercise is almost a sport in itself; when the proper help or the right facilities are lacking. The effort is usually so great, that many disabled people quit. And that's a problem: in the physical sense and because of the social aspect.

So, we created a film where we open the eyes of the naive viewer. By playing on what they already find impressive (practicing disabled sports), and by then highlighting the bigger, yet unknown achievement (what effort that goes in ahead of practice). Throughout the film we see how a man in a wheelchair overcomes several hurdles in the swimming pool complex. Opening doors, the stairs, the locker room, the shower. It's a challenging road before he eventually arrives at the starting block of the swimming pool, ready for his actual sport.

In the Netherlands, there are 9.5 million active sports enthusiasts. 1.7 million of these athletes are people with disabilities who need additional support. Fonds Gehandicaptensport (Foundation for Handicapped Sports) is committed to this group by recruiting financial aid, in turn providing subsidies to sport associations to purchase customized materials or perform structural adjustments. Fonds Gehandicaptensport briefed us to come up with an idea that demonstrates the importance and impact donations have on the lives of disabled sportsmen and women, and as a result activate them to contribute to the charity.

Jury Feedback

FILM & VIDEO / SILVER 

There is such a dignity to this film, that it really stood out for us amongst all the CSR-style films we saw.  You never feel manipulated, and you’re never made to feel pity as a viewer, while the twist at the end is a very powerful way to convey the message.