ESPN Films' "30 for 30: Soccer Stories" Begins April 15 with "Hillsborough"

Airdates announced for the all-soccer documentary series on ESPN

"Hillsborough," the first documentary in the 30 for 30: Soccer Stories series, explores the worst sporting disaster in history. Directed by Daniel Gordon, the film will premiere on ESPN at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 15th - the 25th anniversary of the tragedy that occurred during an FA Cup semi-final soccer match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England. It's a comprehensive account of the events that unfolded before, during and after the horrifying afternoon that led to the deaths of 96 people as well as the injuries to several hundred more and the traumatization of countless lives.

Beginning on the fateful day in 1989, "Hillsborough" explores what happened and why. It offers a detailed examination not only of the horrific loss of life, but also of key developments in the preceding years, months, weeks, days, hours and minutes leading to the disaster. Featuring first-hand accounts of fans in attendance as well as police officers - many speaking on camera for the first time - the film also explores the tragedy through the experiences of families who lost their loved ones and undertook a painstaking journey in a quest for justice that is still ongoing.

"Hillsborough is the most important soccer story of my generation," said director Daniel Gordon. "What began as a day of expectancy turned into a quite unimaginable tragedy, the horror and pain of which have not diminished with time, as families and survivors have sought - and been denied - justice. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the disaster, I felt that now was the right time to look at the whole story, from the day, through the immediate aftermath and the now quarter century of the fight for justice. As a soccer fan who followed his team home and away in the era, I know that could easily have been me on that day and I hope I've done the story justice."

30 for 30: Soccer Stories will include a mix of feature-length and 30-minute-long documentary films from an award winning group of filmmakers telling compelling narratives from around the international soccer landscape. The series will air leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup on ESPN.

30 for 30: Soccer Stories will air on ESPN as follows (all times Eastern):

Tuesday, April 15, 8 p.m. - "Hillsborough"

Tuesday, April 22, 7 p.m. - "Maradona '86" followed by "The Opposition"

Tuesday, April 29, 7p.m. - "The Myth of Garrincha" followed by "Ceasefire Massacre"

Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. - "Mysteries of the Rimet Trophy" followed by "Barbosa: The Man Who Made Brazil Cry"

Tuesday, July 1, 8 p.m. - "White, Blue and White"

Full film summaries can be found here: http://es.pn/1aOGWre. For more information on the 30 for 30: Soccer Stories series visit http://espn.go.com/30for30/soccer.

About ESPN Films

Created in March 2008, ESPN Films produces high-quality films showcasing some of the most compelling stories in sports. In October 2009, ESPN Films launched the Peabody Award-winning, Producer's Guild Award-winning and Emmy-nominated 30 for 30 film series. Inspired by ESPN's 30th Anniversary, the films that made up the series were a thoughtful and innovative reflection on the past three decades told through the lens of diverse and interesting sports fans and social commentators. The strong reaction from both critics and fans led to the launch of 30 for 30 Volume II, which is currently underway. Additional projects from ESPN Films include the critically acclaimed Nine for IX series, SEC Storied and the webby award winning 30 for 30 Shorts.