Film details

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.

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.

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.