Set in Athens, the Thessaloniki Docs in Progress selection Home Court follows best friends Miriam and Gloria, two rising stars of a junior women’s basketball team. Born in Athens to West African parents, the girls share a dream of securing a brighter future through basketball. However, their aspirations are threatened by their statelessness and lack of Greek citizenship. The film aims to capture their resilience, friendship, and struggle to belong against all odds.
The project was presented by producer Yuri Averof of the Athens-based firm Anemon, alongside directors Elpida Nikou and Rodrigo Hernandez. This creative, youth-oriented documentary is also produced by Rea Apostolides for Anemon, with co-production support from Maaike Neve and Esther van Driesum of Dutch outfit Bind Film, Victor Ede of France’s Cinephage, and Boris Despodov of Bulgaria’s Arthouse Blockbusters.
Currently in post-production, Home Court is set to run for 75 minutes and is budgeted at €431,722, with €203,222 still required to complete the film. Key partners backing the project include the Greek Film Centre, Greek public broadcaster ERT, the Netherlands Film Fund and France’s Region Sud. The project initially participated at the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum four years ago, and its final delivery is estimated for 2026.
Producer Yuri Averof highlighted the depth of the directors’ work, stating that Elpida and Rodrigo have been filming numerous characters over the past two years, resulting in “a truly gripping story.” He explained that on one level, they offer extraordinary access to two second-generation athletes who were born and raised in Athens and dream of becoming professional players, while on another level, they beautifully capture their emotions and resilience.
He also stressed the importance of shining the spotlight onthe experiences of migrant children, as they are an integral part of society yet often lack clear citizenship status. Before showing a segment, Averof remarked on the significance of this portrayal. The segment featured different everyday moments from the two girls’ lives, including training sessions, interactions with their coach, and family moments, emphasizing their determination and deep bond.
Hernandez and Nikou added that spending time with Miriam and Gloria allowed them to fully understand their experiences. In their directors’ notes, they explained that their goal is to convey “the raw emotions, sacrifices, and triumphs that define Miriam and Gloria’s pursuit of their dreams while shedding light on the struggles of an entire young generation of stateless migrants living in Europe today.”
“By using intimate scenes from the protagonists’ lives, the film immerses viewers in their emotional journey and highlights the power of their friendship,” they continue.
Before embarking on the making of Home Court, Nikou and Hernandez collaborated on several documentaries across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Their most recent project, Serigne, was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2023 International Emmy Awards. Previously, their feature Shooting was screened at festivals such as Guadalajara and DOK.fest Munich and became the most exhibited documentary in Mexican cinemas in 2019.
Home Court is currently seeking world sales agents, pre-sales, and additional partners to secure its final financing and distribution.
