Short Film 'Baghdad Messi' Gets Theatrical Feature Expansion
The move represents a rare transition from a short-form digital platform to a theatrical feature, potentially validating SAMANSA's model for nurturing IP.
Reporting from 1 source: ASCII.jp.
SAMANSA, the short film streaming service, announced that its popular short 'Baghdad Messi' is being expanded into a feature film 'Baghdad Messi: The One-Legged Soccer Boy,' set for release on August 7, 2026. A preview screening on July 29 will screen both the short and feature versions, followed by a director talk show. The short version will also be made available on YouTube for a limited time.
Directed by Sahin Omar Khalifa, the short film originally gained a following on the SAMANSA platform. It tells the story of an 11-year-old boy in war-torn Baghdad who loses a leg in a bombing but still pursues his love of soccer. The feature version expands the narrative, and the July 29 preview event-held at Hiyobi Convention Hall in Tokyo-offers a chance to see both versions back-to-back, plus a talk with the director. SAMANSA has also announced a limited-time free release of the short on its YouTube channel. With 500+ short films in its library, the platform is betting that a theatrical release can grow its audience and creator partnerships.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.