SAMANSA Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yuichi Iwanaga) is pleased to announce that the short film 'Baghdad Messi,' which was previously distributed on the short film streaming service 'SAMANSA' and received overwhelming support from users, has been adapted into a feature film and will be released nationwide on August 7, 2026 (Friday).

In advance of this, it has been decided to hold a 'General Preview for the Theater Release' where you can enjoy the film on the big screen early. Starting today, July 15 (Wednesday), we will begin accepting general participants for this preview.

At the general preview, in addition to screening the feature film 'Baghdad Messi: The One-Legged Soccer Boy,' the original short version 'Baghdad Messi' will also be screened simultaneously. This is a precious opportunity to feel the changes and the director's intentions as the production progresses from short to feature length, and to compare the two works luxuriously. Furthermore, a talk show by the director will also be held after the screening!

How did a short film that swept numerous international film festivals and delivered tears and hope to the world evolve into a grand feature drama? This is a premium one-night-only experience for movie fans, where the behind-the-scenes stories are told. Please apply!

◆ Special Preview Recruitment Details

We invite fans who loved the short version of 'Baghdad Messi' and those who will soon encounter this moving story to a special preview for free.

General Preview of 'Baghdad Messi: The One-Legged Soccer Boy'

Event Name: General Preview of 'Baghdad Messi: The One-Legged Soccer Boy' ■ Date and Time: July 29, 2026 (Wednesday), Doors open at 18:30 / Show starts at 19:00—21:15 (Movie screening + Talk show) ■ Venue: Hibiya Library and Cultural Center Hibiya Convention Hall Main Hall (1-4, Hibiya Park, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, B1) ■ Number of Guests: 50 people (by lottery) ■ Application Period: July 15, 2026 (Wednesday) to July 19, 2026 (Sunday) 23:59

Announcement of Winners: Winners will be notified by July 20, 2026 (Monday) 20:00. ■ Application Method: Please fill in the necessary information and apply through the dedicated application form below. ■ Application Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1hXF-4siyCMfWYfZv-jihLjt2D8DPgFS3tVU_7P-4KgScPA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

◆ Work Introduction

'Baghdad Messi: The One-Legged Soccer Boy' (Feature Version)

Synopsis: In 2009, under the Iraq War in Baghdad. An 11-year-old boy named Hamdi, who idolized Messi, was chasing a muddy soccer ball with his friends every day. However, he was caught in a moment of bombing and when he woke up, he had lost one of his legs.

His dreams and freedom were taken away, and his family, whose house was burned down by those who hated his father who worked as an interpreter for an American security company, fled to a remote village. Hamdi, who was rejected by the local soccer team for having one leg, lost his place in a world where everything had changed. The love of his parents moved the closed heart of the boy, and he tried to stand up with one leg to see his dream again. However, the merciless reality of war still relentlessly attacked them...

Director: Sahim Omar Kalifa

Release Date: Nationwide release on August 7, 2026 (Friday)

'Baghdad Messi' (Short Version)

Synopsis: In 2009, Iraq. The children in the village were passionate about soccer. The children were eagerly awaiting the final match between Barcelona and Manchester United, but what happened was that Hamoudi's TV broke down...

Director: Sahim Omar Kalifa

Distribution Information: Scheduled for limited-time release on SAMANSA's official YouTube channel in mid-July

◆ What is SAMANSA?

SAMANSA is a streaming service specializing in short films.

For a monthly fee of 490 yen, we provide carefully selected works from around the world, currently distributing over 500 short films (as of October 2025). With a screening time of 30 minutes or less, it enables a movie experience tailored to various life scenes such as commuting time and daily spare time.

By directly licensing with creators from all over the world, we deliver diverse works that cannot be seen on other domestic VOD services. We aim to create a new culture where movies can be enjoyed more freely and closely.

Name: Short Film Streaming Service 'SAMANSA (Samansa)'

Browser Version App Site: https://samansa.com/

iOS Version (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/samansa/id1600425602

Android Version (Google Play): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samansa

◆ Company Profile

Company Name: SAMANSA Inc.

Headquarters: 603, Okazaki Building, 2-14-13 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

President and CEO: Yuichi Iwanaga

Co-President: Takayuki Toyama

Founded: April 2021

Business: Operation of the short film streaming service 'SAMANSA'

Corporate Site: https://about.samansa.com/

Service Site URL: https://lp.samansa.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@samansajp/about

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samansajp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samansajpn/

X: https://x.com/samansajpn/

X (PR): https://x.com/samansajpn_pr

Inquiries: info@samansa.com

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event