The Long Away Game is a moving short documentary that follows a young woman who, after being forced to flee her home in Afghanistan under life-threatening circumstances, begins rebuilding her life through an unexpected source of strength: a grassroots football club in Yorkshire. Her journey from displacement to belonging unfolds through the relationships, rituals, and quiet resilience found on and off the pitch, offering a powerful meditation on identity, community, and the healing potential of sport.
As Executive Producer, I helped guide the project from its early development through final delivery, working closely with director Hannah Congdon and the producing team to shape the film’s emotional clarity and narrative arc. My involvement included supporting creative decision-making, strengthening the documentary’s cultural resonance, and positioning the film for festival consideration and broader audience reach. Championing The Long Away Game aligns deeply with my commitment to storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices and reveals the human complexity behind headlines and global events.
The Long Away Game was commissioned as part of Reframe the Game, Warner Bros. Discovery and TNT Sports’ pioneering initiative supporting women filmmakers and expanding the narratives told around women’s sport. The programme champions stories that sit beyond the pitch—human, socially resonant, culturally urgent perspectives that challenge traditional sports storytelling. By bringing this film into the Reframe the Game slate, the commissioners recognised its powerful blend of personal testimony and the transformative role of grassroots football, reaffirming the programme’s mission to elevate voices and experiences that deserve wider visibility.
Director: Hannah Congdon
Producers: Oriane Pick, Anais Ferrato, Eleanor Lake | Executive Producers: Nasri Atallah, Sami Moughrabie
Assistant Producer: Shab Karim
DOP: Martyna Knotter
Editor: Bryony Johnson
Sound Recordist: Alex Hanton-Rhys
Composer: Hollie Bishara