The five-part documentary "Level Up: The Esports World Cup Documentary," directed by Emmy Award-winning director RJ Cutler, will premiere globally on Prime Video starting June 6, with new episodes weekly. This documentary focuses on the inaugural 2024 Esports World Cup (EWC)—a pivotal event in esports history, gathering top players worldwide and competing for over $60 million in prize money, sparking intense international competition.
Produced by This Machine under Sony Pictures Television, with director RJ Cutler (known for "Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry" and "Martha") leading the production team, John Dorsey serves as the series showrunner, with Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein, and Mark Blatty as executive producers. The series will exclusively stream on Prime Video in over 240 countries and regions worldwide.
"Level Up" deeply documents this eight-week-long global esports event, attracting over 500 million viewers. The camera takes the audience beyond the arena—not only tracking the daily preparations of global club executives and professional players but also delving into the event site in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the players' families, showcasing their struggles and efforts between honor and pressure.
Cutler stated, "I am drawn to the real-life stories embedded in this event—it's about dreams, challenges, teamwork, and sacrifice. 'Level Up' not only depicts the fierce competition in the esports arena but also captures the deep humanity of those who constantly push their limits."
The core of the film focuses on the "EWC Club Championship" mechanism—a novel cross-event scoring system where clubs participate in over 20 matches, competing for ultimate glory on the overall leaderboard. This innovative system not only redefines the way esports teams compete but also promotes the emergence of the next generation of esports idols.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, added, "This documentary not only records the event but also reveals the core that supports it—people. RJ brings depth and warmth to these stories, and 'Level Up' shows what true high-level esports is and why this event is so significant."
As the influence of the EWC continues to grow, "Level Up" will undoubtedly become a new window for global esports fans and sports documentary viewers to understand esports culture and spirit.
