Sheffield DocFest announces world premiere of Klitschko: More Than a Fight

Sky Original Klitschko: More Than a Fight offers audiences unprecedented access to former heavyweight boxing world champion Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir, who together dominated the sport for more than a decade. Now the longest serving Mayor of Kyiv, this feature-length documentary charts Vitali’s journey from the ring to political office, leading the defence of the capital when it was attacked by Russian forces in February 2022 to the present day.

While Wladimir uses his celebrity status and popularity to help raise funds and military support for the defence of Ukraine, the heart of the story is the remarkable transformation of Vitali from sporting hero to political figurehead. From the face of the opposition in the 2014 Maidan Revolution to the mayor running on an anti-corruption card, Vitali tests his leadership capabilities as he’s put in charge of the safety of millions of Kyiv citizens, with the eyes of the world watching.

Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald directs, delving into exclusive personal archives, combining the retrospective story of the Klitschko brothers’ Soviet childhood and their incredible sporting career, with present day footage shot by Director of Photography and Co-Director Edgar Dubrovskiy in Ukraine, the US and Germany. The film captures the personal toll it takes to hold the city together during wartime. The film, produced by Docsville Studios and Sky Studios, will be broadcast on Sky Documentaries and NOW in the UK and other Sky territories including Germany later this year.

Kevin Macdonald, says: “Like many people around the world I was shocked and outraged by the aggression, murder and wanton destruction of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I wanted to help in some small way – and making a documentary is the only way I have at my disposal.  I’m grateful to Sky for enabling us to make this film, sometimes in the face of great obstacles, and to the Klitschko brothers for allowing us access to the most personal parts of their lives and showing us what bravery and resilience really mean.”

Annabel Grundy, Sheffield DocFest Managing Director, says: “ Kevin Macdonald joined us in Sheffield in 2023 as Mentor for our Filmmaker Challenge, inspiring participants to take a creative and compassionate approach to their works.  With ‘Klitschko: More than a Fight’ we see his commitment to artistry and authenticity in equal measure; we’re honoured to welcome him back to present this incredible portrait of hope, charisma and determination to make a difference.”