Grierson Awards longlist recognition puts pioneering women’s football story in the spotlight
A documentary telling the remarkable story of the women who defied football’s establishment, made by a Manchester-based production company and Harrison Drury client, has been longlisted for a 2026 Grierson Award.
The Corinthians: We Were the Champions, produced by Films Not Words, has been named among the final eight films being judged for the Best Sports Documentary category at The Grierson Awards, also known as the British Documentary Awards, which celebrate outstanding British and international documentary filmmaking.
The 90-minute film tells the story of Corinthians Ladies FC, whose players continued to compete during the Football Association’s 50-year ban on women’s football. Playing before crowds of thousands, the team went on to become unofficial European and ‘world’ champions.
Told entirely in the words of 10 surviving players, the documentary brings their rebellious and largely overlooked story to the screen for the first time.
The film won Best Documentary and Best Film awards at film festivals before a sold-out cinema run at HOME Mcr. It was aired on BBC Four in May and is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Harrison Drury partner Rory O’Hare advised Films Not Words throughout the project, including on funding arrangements, rights and clearances, the film’s festival and cinema release, and its acquisition and distribution by the BBC.
Rory is now advising the production company as it considers opportunities to take the film to international audiences.
Helen Tither, BAFTA-winning founder of Films Not Words, said: “To be longlisted for a Grierson Award alongside productions from some of the biggest names in documentary filmmaking is an extraordinary moment for everyone involved in the film.
“We made The Corinthians so that these pioneering women could finally tell their own story, in their own words. The response from audiences, and now this recognition, shows why that story matters.
“Rory has supported the project at every stage, from the practical legal work needed to finance and make the film, through to securing its BBC release and helping us explore international distribution. His advice has been an important part of bringing the players’ story to a much wider audience.”
Rory O’Hare, partner at Harrison Drury, said: “The Grierson longlisting is richly deserved recognition for Helen, her team and, above all, the Corinthians players whose courage and determination are at the heart of the film.
“Independent documentary production involves complex legal and commercial issues at every stage, from funding and contributor clearances to rights, broadcast and distribution. It has been a privilege to help Films Not Words navigate those issues and bring this important Northern story to viewers across the UK.
“The longlisting gives the film a powerful platform as we work with Helen on the next phase: finding the right international distribution partners to take the Corinthians’ story to audiences around the world.”
Films Not Words is a female-led production company founded by BAFTA winner Helen Tither. It produces high-quality, Northern-focused documentaries and works to improve the representation of women on and off screen.
Films Not Words was previously named Best Challenger Brand at the Prolific North awards for its work on The Corinthians film. It is also shortlisted in two categories at the Sports Business Awards in London later this year – ‘Best Sports Related Commercial, Promotional Video or Documentary’ and ‘Best Supporter of Women’s Sports’.
The Grierson Awards take place at a prestigious ceremony later this year, where the winner of the Best Sports Documentary category will be announced.
Photos used with permission of Films Not Words