From street fights to the ring at Madison Square Garden. Artur Szpilka has heard the word “impossible” many times. He challenged it with his fists—and his will. Now, his extraordinary journey will hit the big screen in Szpilka, a feature-length documentary directed by Filip Dzierżawski. The film’s theatrical premiere is set for October 24, 2025, with NEXT FILM as the distributor. The production is handled by Zespół Filmowy Raban.
Artur Szpilka is not only one of the most recognizable faces in Polish sports, but also a man who’s made a battleground out of life itself. Szpilka is the story of a fighter—both in and outside the ring. The film follows his spectacular rise in professional boxing, as well as his latest challenges in the world of MMA.
“Sport was my anchor when everything else was falling apart. I truly believe it was God who carried me through my darkest moments, giving me the strength to keep fighting—inside the ring and out. Looking back, it was never about titles. It was about never giving up, no matter how hard life hit,” says Artur Szpilka.
The film is directed by Filip Dzierżawski, whose acclaimed documentary Miłość—about the Polish jazz band of the same name—won both the Golden Lajkonik and the Audience Award at the 53rd Krakow Film Festival.
“I chose to tell Artur’s story because I’m fascinated by characters full of contradictions—people you simply can’t put in a box,” says Filip Dzierżawski. “His honesty, sensitivity, and courage in facing his own demons, along with a deep sense of self-awareness, show just how complex human lives are. The traumas Artur faced in childhood shaped his early path, but his story proves that it’s possible to break free from the past and start over.”
“The idea for the film was born out of Artur’s public reckoning with his past,” says Maciej Ostatek, producer at Zespół Filmowy Raban. “Producing this documentary is both a creative challenge and a continuation of the path we’ve taken as filmmakers. Artur is authentic—and the film had to be, too. We wanted to show that while Szpilka could have become a world champion, what he truly won was himself. We hope this film will inspire.”
In Dzierżawski’s lens, Szpilka is more than a fighter—he’s a man of unexpected depth, grappling with his past, depression, and inner struggles. Once again, the director dives below the surface—this time into a world where physical strength is both armor and burden. The film is based on hours of interviews, candid observations, rare archival materials, and footage from the most pivotal moments of Szpilka’s career.
Szpilka is a story of resilience—and the price we pay for our dreams. A redefinition of masculinity, and a portrait of a man still learning how to win—especially beyond the ring, in the journey of accepting himself.
Director of photography: Adam Palenta
Editor: Andrzej Dzierżawski
Producers: Justyna Kluczewska and Maciej Ostatek, Zespół Filmowy Raban
Distribution in Poland: NEXT FILM