10 Dec 2014

American Samoa football movie wins in UK

10:41 am on 10 December 2014

A movie about the American Samoa football team has won an award at the British Independent Film Awards.

The awards celebrate and promote achievements in British filmmaking, and has given Next Goal Wins the Best Documentary award.

Next Goal Wins tracks the team's journey from the world's worst team and a world record 31-0 loss to Australia, to finally triumphing over Tonga 2-1 in 2011.

The co-director of the film, which was released in April, Steve Jamison, says there was tough competition and it was completely unexpected.

"Our minds were racing, we hadn't compared a speech and we pulled a complete blank on stage. But it was a huge shock and a huge celebration and one I'm sure that we'll never forget."

Steve Jamison says the documentary makers have designed and created a new kit for the American Samoa team, which will be released this week, as a way of supporting the team in its bid to play at the next World Cup.