BERLIN, Germany – The German capital played host to a prestigious event on Monday night, as “The World on Our Shoulders,” a documentary film chronicling the history of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, held its world premiere. The event drew a Hall of Fame audience, including numerous basketball luminaries and officials.
“The World on Our Shoulders” Unveiled
The documentary offers a comprehensive look into the rich and inspiring history of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, tracing its origins from 1953 to the eagerly anticipated tournament scheduled to take place in Berlin from September 4-13, 2026.
Utilizing a blend of historical archival footage and insightful interviews with legendary players, coaches, and sports historians, the film explores the significant triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that have shaped the competition over the decades. It aims to provide a long-term analysis, illustrating the parallel evolution between women’s emancipation in society and the increasingly significant role of women’s basketball.
Basketball Legends Grace the Premiere
Among the distinguished guests were two of the living legends featured in the documentary, former World Cup winners Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. Both athletes participated in a Q&A session with the audience following the screening, sharing their experiences and insights.
Sue Bird, who also serves as the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Global Ambassador, was a prominent figure among the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees in attendance. Other notable inductees present included Celine Dumerc, Clarisse Machanguana, Dirk Nowitzki, Hedo Turkoglu, and Wang Zhizhi, underscoring the event’s significance within the global basketball community.
Distinguished Guests and Officials
The premiere also saw the presence of high-ranking FIBA officials, including FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. Members of the FIBA Central Board and representatives from all 16 National Federations slated to participate in the September 2026 World Cup were also among the attendees. The event further attracted representatives from Berlin’s political and artistic communities, highlighting its cultural importance.
A Historical Yet Forward-Looking Narrative
Fabrice Castanier, the film’s scriptwriter and director, emphasized the documentary’s dual nature. “This documentary is indeed a historical film, but it is by no means intended to be melancholic,” Castanier stated. “It will not merely recount past anecdotes or uplifting stories. Instead, it aims to provide a long-term analysis, showing a parallel evolution between women’s emancipation in society and the increasingly significant role of women’s basketball.” He added, “It will illustrate the connections between these two phenomena. It is also a film that looks to the present and focuses on the future. The story is not over.”
The documentary was developed and produced by FIBA Media, a strategic partnership between FIBA and DAZN. It is one of many original content pieces that will be made available to broadcasters as part of an extensive catalogue for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026. The film is also slated for streaming on the FIBA YouTube channel in August.
Kick-off to a Series of Key Events
Monday’s premiere served as the opening act for a series of important events in Berlin. These continue on Tuesday with the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Draw, the FIBA Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and the FIBA Central Board session. Both the Draw and the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 induction ceremony will be livestreamed on the FIBA YouTube channel, allowing a global audience to participate in these significant basketball milestones.
Source: https://about.fiba.basketball/en/news/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-documentary-brings-out-the-stars-in-berlin
