Six Years To May is a 77-minute American sports documentary directed and produced by Jiwon Paul Kim. It focuses on college lacrosse in the United States, telling a story of resilience and passion for sport through the experience of two NCAA Division III athletes.
The documentary follows two lacrosse players who, thanks to the “eligibility redshirt” granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, choose to return to the field for a sixth consecutive year. This opportunity, extraordinary in a student athlete's career, becomes a final chance to give everything, especially for their coach, in the hope of reaching the playoffs again.
The protagonists are immersed in the everyday reality of competition: intense training, group moments, games and personal challenges. The team's coach has a central role in the narrative, as guide and reference point for the two athletes on this journey.
The film's central message concerns long-term commitment, dedication to sport and the sense of community born within a team. Through images and testimony, it also reflects on the value of a second chance and the impact of university sport on the formation of young athletes' identities.
Completed on 28 March 2025 with a $10,000 budget, Six Years To May is Jiwon Paul Kim's directing debut; he also wrote and produced the project. It is not a student project, but an independent production made entirely in the United States.
Film Details
Title: Six Years To May
Original title: Six Years To May
Director: Jiwon Paul Kim
Production: Jiwon Paul Kim
Country: United States
Language: English
Running time: 77 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sport featured: Lacrosse
Protagonist(s): Two NCAA Division III athletes (names not specified), team coach
Completion date: 28 March 2025
Premiere: [Information not available]
Distributor: [Information not available]
Shooting format: Digital, 16:9, colour
Director's first film: Yes
Student project: No