November 11-20, 2019

Float

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Synopsis

Winning a championship is everything in popular professional sports, as it often brings athletes fortune and fame. However, the sport at the heart of Float is not exactly pro, nor is it well-known. This intriguing documentary, with its stunning cinematography, chronicles the small but dedicated scene of competitive model aviation. While the modern world is obsessed with attention and speed, these devoted, unknown challengers like to take things slow. Patience is their true talent, coupled with unwavering passion. After all, they do not make a dime competing, but instead deplete their savings to buy supplies. Call it obsession, but there is something refreshing about their thankless allegiance to the sport. They spend countless hours designing and constructing their complex planes (F1Ds, to be more technical), which could easily pass for art. The detailing is as remarkable as their impressive ability to stay airborne for extended periods of time. To see them all soaring at once is truly a sight to behold. At first glance, Float may seem like a niche documentary for model plane enthusiasts. But everyone can learn from the graceful simplicity, loyal camaraderie, and undying devotion these competitors exhibit.

Filmmaker Biography

Born in Ohio, Phillip Kibbe began working as an intern in 2006 at the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. From there, he became a production assistant on commercials and independent films. Moving to New York City in 2011, Kibbe established a career as a director, cinematographer, and editor. He has been a member of the Brooklyn Film Collective since 2012. With experience ranging from corporate videos to social justice documentaries, Kibbe is a full-time freelance filmmaker in New York City.

Since graduating at the top of his class in Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University in 2008, Benjamin Saks has worked in varied capacities in film, design, architecture, and business. He is in his second decade with F1D and has competed in national and world championships. Saks brings extensive management experience working with large clients in creative industries. Since launching his own company, Saks’ work has been published in the Wall Street JournalGQElle, and Tech Crunch. Based in Pittsburgh, Saks creates media content for corporate and nonprofit clients, and is an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University.

Schedule

  • Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA. Monday 11/11/2019
  • Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA. Wednesday 11/13/2019
  • Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC. Thursday 11/14/2019
  • Global Education Center, Nashville, TN. Saturday 11/16/2019
  • East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN. Monday 11/18/2019
  • Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville, TN. Wednesday 11/20/2019