Film Synopsis

Story Synopsis:

“Ana’s Playground” opens on a rag-tag group of children in an unidentified, war-torn country who are playing soccer while listening to a professional match. When their ball flies out of reach, our hero Ana is unexpectedly forced into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a sniper. As the contest on the radio heats up, Ana, her friends and the sniper all listen intently to the broadcast. In a fleeting moment, Ana forges a connection with her enemy – a mutual respect born of the recognition of worthy and sporting adversaries. However, the shared moment passes and the no man’s land
swallows them up once again, with soccer, and sport in general, representing what’s left of their receeding youth.

“Ana’s Playground” avoids political or regional stereotypes. Its focus is on the effects of war on children, rather than on the political or racial differences in a particular conflict.

The script won the 2006 “Best Screenplay Award” at the Los Angeles Short Film Festival which is an Oscar nominating festival recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

The Role of Soccer (Football):

The realistic role of soccer in Ana’s Playground makes the project all the more viable and exciting. Perhaps the most international of all sports, soccer (football) is a sign of the inherent connections between most of the world’s citizens. It also represents a major tool utilized directly in the rehabilitation and recovery of child soldiers. Soccer helps former combatants work through their aggression in a positive setting. The play helps them to reconnect to their childhood and to civilian life. It also provides a safe place for them to talk about their experiences on the battlefield.

With the donation of 10,000 soccer jerseys to Ana’s Playground from MAZAMBA (www.mazamba.com) we will in turn directly use them to support various child soldier demobilization efforts around the world. We also hope to inspire other soccer-related companies to come to the table and join us on our mission.

UPDATE – ANA’S PLAYGROUND & MAZAMBA HAVE RECENTLY MADE OUR FIRST SHIPMENT OF SOCCER EQUIPMENT TO WAR AFFECTED KIDS LIVING IN IRAQ! READ MORE HERE!