13'
Portuguese
Brazil
The Magic Ball – From Father to Son
A sensitive portrait of football, childhood, and the power of paternal presence
In times of haste, screens, and distractions, The Magic Ball – From Father to Son emerges as a breath of humanity. The short documentary directed by Felippe Machado Ferreira is more than a story about children's football — it's about the connection [...]
The Magic Ball – From Father to Son
A sensitive portrait of football, childhood, and the power of paternal presence
In times of haste, screens, and distractions, The Magic Ball – From Father to Son emerges as a breath of humanity. The short documentary directed by Felippe Machado Ferreira is more than a story about children's football — it's about the connection between father and son, personal overcoming, and the magic that happens when love transforms into encouragement.
Filmed over three years, the film follows the real journey of Gael, a seven-year-old boy who believed he was "the worst in school" not at football. With his father's support, he begins a journey of learning and self-confidence — not only to become a better player, but to discover the true meaning of believing in himself. The story
was only possible thanks to the
sensitivity of the director in recording
the first day of lessons,
soon an outburst from the son,
sad for feeling unable to play
well. From that spontaneous moment, Felippe decided to turn on the camera — without a
script, without pretension — and simply follow Gael's training, conversations and
discoveries over the months.
OCT. 28, 2025 Author: Felippe Machado Ferreira
What began as a home movie became a profound portrait of
maturation and bonding.
Over time, came the surprise: Gael completely transformed and finished
as the top scorer in the first championship he participated in. It was then that the father and
director revisited all the recorded material, polishing the images and emotions into a touching and true short film.
Between training, mistakes, smiles and clumsy kicks, the camera captures what is purest in childhood: the enthusiasm to try again. Each scene reveals small
achievements and great emotions — the first goal, the look of pride, the hug after defeat. All narrated with delicacy, without artificial filters, as if the viewer were inside the story.
But The Magic Ball goes beyond the pitch. It is also a mirror for fathers and mothers who, amidst the rush of daily life, seek to reconnect with their children. The film shows that quality time doesn't require big productions — just presence, listening, and love. As the director says:
"I realized that, while I was teaching him to play, he was the one teaching me to be a father."
Visually, the documentary mixes intimate scenes with vibrant moments from the courts and training, creating a cinematic narrative with a documentary soul. A light and emotional soundtrack reinforces the simplicity and depth of the theme.
The Magic Ball – From Father to Son is, above all, a reminder that the greatest transformations begin at home, with a simple ball, a pair of cleats, and the desire to share moments that will last forever in memory.
October 28, 2025 Author: Felippe Machado Ferreira
Technical sheet:
Creation and Direction: Felippe Machado Ferreira
Cast: Gael Morete Ferreira, Felippe Machado Ferreira and colleagues from the SPFC soccer school /
Revelation
Production: Fábrica de Filmes Comunicação Ltda.
Duration: 12 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2025
English
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Portuguese
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