Thinking Football & ‘Kenny Dalglish’, an inspiring opening night
Thinking Football & ‘Kenny Dalglish’, an inspiring opening night
With the Sala BBK theatre packed to capacity, Asif Kapadia's film moved the audience at the opening night of the Athletic Club Foundation's film festival
The 2026 edition of Athletic Club Foundation's Thinking Football Film Festival got off to a flying start at Bilbao's Sala BBK on Monday night. The opening evening had all the right ingredients for success, and that is exactly what it was.
First of all, an extraordinary film by a highly acclaimed director, Asif Kapadia, who won an Oscar for ‘Amy’.
Secondly, a protagonist like Kenny Dalglish, a fabulous footballer with a truly moving human side, particularly given the pivotal role he played in the wake of the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies.
Thirdly, two clubs and sets of supporters who are much loved and respected in Bilbao: Celtic FC and Liverpool FC. And, finally, some special guests for the post-screening discussion.
Bruce & Lee, an unbeatable duo
Liverpool FC legends Bruce Grobbelaar and Sammy Lee, joined by Asif Kapadia and maestro Sid Lowe as conductor, took part in the post-film discussion.
Galder Reguera, with his usual sense of humour, had introduced the two former players as an unbeatable duo, Bruce & Lee, and the truth is that they certainly lived up to expectations. Both of Kenny Dalglish's former team-mates praised the Scottish legend from a footballing perspective – where he was an undisputed star – but also highlighted his human and social qualities.
As Kapadia explained, the film aims to strike a balance between sport and humanity, as it would have made no sense to focus solely on Dalglish's brilliant sporting career without mentioning the enormous impact of his personality.
During the community’s most difficult times, Dalglish always stood by the fans, defending their innocence in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, a tragedy in which 95 Liverpool supporters lost their lives. It took many years for the truth that Dalglish had always maintained to come to light.
The audience award for George Dowell
The evening began with an opening speech by Athletic Club’s vice president, Nerea Ortiz, during which she paid tribute to Jose Angel Iribar and the entire Bilbao Athletic squad, who were present at the screening.
Nerea thanked El Txopo for his constant support for the festival and, above all, for being a symbol for the whole of the Basque Country, noting the parallels with what Kenny Dalglish means to his community.
Afterwards, George Dowell received the 2025 Thinking Footbal Audience Award. The man who turned his compensation from a road traffic accident into an act of love for football and his community received a warm and prolonged ovation from the audience. The film will be screened at a special showing for schools at 11:00 on Tuesday morning.
'Diego Maradona' (17:30) and 'The Last Guest of the Holloway Motel' (19:00)
On Day 2 at 17:30, “Diego Maradona” – one of Asif Kapadia’s best-known works – will be screened. Compiled from hundreds of hours of previously unseen footage, the documentary traces the brilliant and turbulent life of Diego Armando Maradona, one of the most influential footballers of all time.
The evening will conclude with “The Last Guest of the Holloway Motel”, a moving story about identity, secrets and reconciliation that follows Tony Powell, a former Norwich City prospect who disappeared from the world of football for decades.
