Travel & Culture

Fighting For Justice: Matt Leutwyler On Fight Like A Girl & The Real-Life Battle in Congo

As Fight Like A Girl opens the 2025 Toronto Black Film Festival, the film’s powerful message has taken on an even deeper significance. In a tragic turn of events, Kibomango, the real-life boxing coach portrayed in the film, was recently killed in rebel attacks in Goma, Congo—just as director Matt Leutwyler narrowly escaped gunfire while in the region.

Now, as the festival shines a spotlight on stories that demand global attention, Fight Like A Girl stands as a testament to resilience, survival, and the fight for justice. In this exclusive Q&A, we speak with Matt Leutwyler about the making of the film, the ongoing crisis in Congo, and how storytelling can be a catalyst for awareness and change. —Noa Nichol