“The Next Play”: A Bethlehem Film Shining a Light on Girls’ Sports and Mental Health
Filmmakers Katina and Koula Sossiadis bring an authentic, local story of hope, pressure, and resilience to life at Moravian University.
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the cameras are rolling on The Next Play — a heartfelt new film exploring the intersection of youth sports, mental health, and the journey toward healing.
Written and directed by sisters Katina Sossiadis and Koula Sossiadis Kazista, the film tells the story of a girls’ high school field hockey team at a fictional boarding school, Boade Academy. Beneath the thrill of competition lies a deeper struggle that many young athletes face: the pressure to perform and the toll it can take on mental health.
“The pressure from parents, from coaches, from peers — the competitiveness is intense,” Koula told LehighValleyNews.com. “It’s not always about fun anymore.”
Returning Home to Tell a Local Story
The Sossiadis sisters chose to film at their alma mater, Moravian University, and across Bethlehem — a homecoming for Katina, who graduated from Moravian in 1993. By shooting on familiar ground, they rooted their film in the authenticity of community, family, and shared experience.
Local students, athletes, and businesses became integral to the project. Lehigh Carbon Community College interns joined the production team, and area field hockey players appeared as extras. It wasn’t just a film shoot — it was a celebration of collaboration and creativity in the Lehigh Valley.
A Story Inspired by Real Lives
The Next Play was inspired in part by Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health in athletics. The organization honors Morgan Rodgers, a former Duke lacrosse player who died by suicide in 2019.
The film weaves this inspiration through its narrative and symbolism. A butterfly motif — delicate yet strong — appears throughout the story, representing transformation, renewal, and hope.
The filmmakers also partnered with St. Luke’s University Health Network to ensure the film’s portrayal of mental health challenges was thoughtful and informed. Their shared goal is simple yet profound: to spark conversation, empathy, and healing through art.
“We dream that this film could save a life,” Katina said. “That it could open up a conversation or make someone feel seen.”
Amplifying Mental Health Through Storytelling
In many ways, The Next Play embodies what Reel Hope stands for — storytelling that gives voice to untold struggles and uplifts human resilience. By focusing on the mental health of young women in sports, the film challenges traditional sports narratives that glorify victory and endurance while often overlooking emotional well-being.
It asks an important question: What happens when the whistle blows and the lights go out?
A Community Effort With a Global Message
Though deeply rooted in Bethlehem, The Next Play carries a universal message. Its creators hope the film will resonate far beyond Pennsylvania, encouraging coaches, parents, and athletes everywhere to recognize that strength isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, too.
The film is currently in post-production and expected to debut in spring 2026, with plans to reach audiences through major film festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca.
As the sisters prepare for that next step, the heart of their project remains grounded in the community that shaped them — and in the belief that storytelling can change lives.
Sources: Lehigh Valley News – “Moravian movie set in Bethlehem explores mental illness”
