Joakim — The Golfer

The Film

Joakim Björkman has one dream: to compete as a professional golfer on the world stage. The fact that he has achondroplasia has never stopped him from swinging for it — but golf is an expensive, unforgiving world, and the world outside has already decided who Joakim is.

Raised in a protective bubble that shielded him from society's gaze, he now faces the outside on his own terms: chasing sponsorship, navigating relationships, and confronting the parts of himself his upbringing kept hidden.

Joakim — The Golfer is a character-driven documentary about resilience, identity and the price of following your passion. Directed by Linnea Widén Riås, it follows one man's determined, vulnerable and at times darkly funny pursuit of a life lived fully — on and off the course.

Format 48 minutes

Status In Production

Director Linnea Widén Riås

Camera Markus Jordö

Joakim Björkman — golfer, dreamer.

Linnea Widén Riås
Director

Director's Statement

When documentary filmmaking is at its best, it changes how we see the world around us — and ourselves. Joakim: The Golfer is that kind of film.

Joakim Björkman is fighting to compete as a professional golfer. In the eyes of the world, however, his dreams are too big for his body. But with a determination that is deeply moving, Joakim keeps pushing forward, constantly shifting the boundaries of what is possible.

This is a film set in the world of sport — but as far from a sports documentary as you can get. The world's gaze upon Joakim is at times unsettling, and the film contains scenes I hope audiences will never forget.

As a director, I was drawn to this story because it touches something universal — the desire to define yourself on your own terms, against a society that has already decided who you are. Golf is a tradition-laden world full of unspoken rules about belonging, and Joakim challenges this with a determination that fascinates me.

Narratively, I am looking for a style that is intimately present without becoming sentimental. Visually it is beautiful, close and honest. I want to give audiences access to Joakim both in his moments of success and in the dark moments when life strikes him hard.

Joakim's story is for anyone who has ever wanted something the world said wasn't theirs to want. That is exactly the kind of story I believe in. That is the film I want to give you.

— Linnea Widén Riås, Director

Why this film needs to be made — Producer's Statement

We are in this business for the love of good stories — and they come in all shapes, forms and genres.

When we first met Joakim Björkman, he told us about his dream — to build a professional golf career, to get para golf into the Olympics, his hopes and his fears. It's a big dream for anyone. For someone the world had already decided couldn't belong in elite sport, it was an extraordinary one.

Then we saw him play. The level was unmistakable. And suddenly everything he'd told us about his dream felt not just credible — but urgent.

The closer we got to know him, the more compelled we were. This is a story about a man who refuses to let the world define his limits — and about what happens when reality doesn't cooperate with the dream. We've been filming for several years now, following Joakim through endeavours where events often turn out very differently than planned. That's the nature of documentary — and of life.

We are now moving into post-production, inviting audiences to join us on the final stretch. Because we believe this David and Goliath story — intimate, funny, moving and deeply human — resonates with anyone who has ever dared to want something badly.

— Anders Granström, Producer

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Joakim The Golfer

The Film

Director's Statement

Why this film needs to be made — Producer's Statement

Follow the journey from the inside

Credits