In front of an audience packed full of top decision-makers in sport and media, brought together for the SPORTEL Awards Ceremony, Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, and Dan Luger, winner of the Webb Ellis Cup with England and Champion for Peace, revealed the name of the winner of the first Peace and Sport Documentary Prize.
The trophy was awarded to Marion Poizeau for her documentary Into the Sea, which shows the journey of three women, Irish surfer Easkey, Iranian snowboarder Mona and Iranian driver Shalha who are introducing a new sport in Iran : surfing. All three share a belief in the power of sport, especially surfing, as a way to break down barriers and connect with others. The film shows how these young are encouraging more people to join them, bridging cultural and gender divides in a remote part of Iran.
« I am truly humbled, this Prize rewards a long and difficult work. I’m very surprised and happy to receive this recognition in front of this sports crowd » said Marion Poizeau.
« This first Peace and Sport Documentary Prize rewards a director who managed to show that sport can be used to break down cultural barriers » explained Joël Bouzou.
