“Kenny Dalglish” to open the 2026 Thinking Football Film Festival

“Kenny Dalglish” to open the 2026 Thinking Football Film Festival

Asif Kapadia’s documentary is the first screening at the 2026 edition of Athletic Club Foundation’s festival, where the director will be joined by Liverpool legends Sammy Lee and Bruce Grobbelaar on the opening night

On  Monday November 9, Bilbao's Sala BBK will host the opening night of the 2026 Thinking Football Film Festival, Athletic Club Foundation's football film celebration, which will once again turn the city into a global focal point for lovers of cinema and football.

Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia, maker of acclaimed documentaries 'Amy', 'Senna' and 'Maradona', will inaugurate this year's festival with 'Kenny Dalglish'.

Kapadia's most recent work is an intimate portrait of one of British football’s greatest legends. Through a wealth of interviews and previously unseen footage, the documentary traces the legendary Scot's playing and managerial career, showing how Dalglish became a symbol for Liverpool FC and the entire city.
  

Asif Kapadia, Bruce Grobbelaar and Sammy Lee are the special guests

Kapadia will be in attendance and will take part in a post screening discussion alongside two Liverpool legends, Bruce Grobbelaar and Sammy Lee.

Tickets for this session sold out within a few days of this year's festival being announced.

Over the next few days, the festival will screen documentaries and films from various countries that explore issues such as identity, memory, inclusion, resilience and the transformative role of football in society.