Shedrack Salami’s documentary, “Beyond Olympic Glory,” has added South Korea to its growing list of international festival screenings.
The film recently premiered at the inaugural Korea Gyeonggi International Film Festival for SDGs, where it received the Achievement Prize. Speaking with The Nollywood Reporter on July 13, Salami said he did not anticipate the level of recognition the film is now receiving.
“I made this film from a very honest place, not even thinking about selections or awards,” he said. “When I discovered the story, I was eager to tell it from a place of truth because her story really mattered to me.”
The documentary follows Cynthia Semilore’s journey to be taken seriously as an athlete in a space that often overlooks women like her. Salami said that deeper message of striving to be seen resonated personally and is something only observant viewers might fully grasp.
“Seeing it get all this recognition today, even after all the twists the story took while making it, makes me emotional,” he added.
Reflecting on the film’s latest recognition, Salami said the Korean screening underscores the universal relevance of Cynthia’s story.
“Winning the Achievement Award in Korea tells me this film goes beyond Nigeria or Africa. It speaks to young girls, athletes, and dreamers everywhere who are navigating systems that don’t often protect or fully see them,” he said.