Category: BEST INSPIRATIONAL WSXA Paris 2023

Original Film Title: A Rally for Rangers

Director’s Name: Eric Daft

Writer’s Name: Arianna Usai

Producer: Mark Fisher, Mongol Ecology Center

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: Argentina, Mongolia, Nepal

Language: English, Mongolian

Runtime: 52 minutes

Film Description:

Park rangers are the heroes on the front lines of conservation, yet in many parks across the globe they are often under-appreciated, and under-equipped. As a foundation, Rally for rangers seeks to empower park rangers, as well as raise awareness for some of the world’s most remote, rugged and ecologically important places, all through the use of motorcycles.

Original Film Title: Tremor Documentary 2022

Director’s Name: Rob Scherer

Writer’s Name: John Dutton

Producer: John Dutton

Country of Origin: United States

Film Description:

How you deal with adversity defines you as a person. The subject of this documentary, John Dutton, has dealt with adversity. Not only does he have multiple sclerosis but was also diagnosed with an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease, which manifested itself with debilitating tremors. John tried everything, every drug regimen and holistic approach there was. Nothing worked. He turned to the medical mecca of Boston for a groundbreaking form of surgery which uses soundwaves as opposed to scalpels. The audience will get to witness, in real time, non invasive brain surgery with results that are immediate. A Best Picture Oscar WINNER calls this documentary amazing and inspirational and considers John to be a walking miracle who will change the world. We will, together, benefit society by illuminating this form of surgery to the millions of people who have tremors.

Original Film Title: BORN TO RIDE. AT AGE FOUR AND A HALF, I LOST MY LEG

Director’s Name: Gildas Nivet, Tristan Guerlotté

Writer’s Name: Gildas Nivet, Tristan Guerlotté

Producer: Gildas Nivet, Tristan Guerlotté

Country of Origin: France

Country of Filming: France

Language: French

Runtime: 52 minutes

Film Description:

The 48-year-old pro para-cyclist has won numerous medals at national, European and international level. Over an intense 10 year period, Sébastien Bichon competed in many events, accumulating cycling titles. In 2004, he retired from his professional career, but he didn’t hang up his saddle. As he loves a challenge and pushing himself to his limits, he decided to take part in Born to Ride 2020. This intense cycle ride crosses the French countryside of undergrowth, forests, fields, lakes, and more. The 1,200-km route must be completed in just 120 hours with one major obstacle: 15,000 metres of elevation gain. Compared to the other 249 riders, Sébastien faced an additional difficulty: he had his leg amputated at age four and a half. He set himself the goal of completing this ride and rose to the challenge, which is the subject of “Born to ride. At age four and a half, I lost my leg”. 
From Rambouillet (Yvelines) to Lac de Payolle in the municipality of Arreau (Hautes-Pyrénées), via Cantal and Deux-Sèvres, Sébastien Bichon descends, climbs and completes each stage. The incredible landscapes along the route flash by at an average of 26 km/h. This is also the speed at which Sébastien Bichon shares his secrets, state of mind, life and objectives. Whether he is camping for the night away from the route or on his bike on the roads of France, he tells the story of his extraordinary life. Dealing every day with his disability, he feels that life events, whatever they may be, show us the way. Perspective is decisive here. It’s the way we see things that makes them what they are, our reactions and motivations. ” All this has enabled me to become an example, a source of inspiration for others, whether they have a disability or not.” 
By sharing the ride he is in the process of completing, “Born to ride. At age four and a half I lost my leg” immerses you in the life of this unique and determined road bicycle racer. The core themes – pushing yourself to your limits, the values of sport 
and the acceptance of yourself and others – reflect the documentary’s desire to give visibility to and promote differences.

Original Film Title: The Importance of Strange Perceptions (Episode 2/ BrainDagger Films Presents: Knowledge is Good)

Director’s Name: Moe Taylor

Writer’s Name: Moe Taylor

Producer: Moe Taylor

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: Costa Rica

Language: English

Runtime: 56 minutes

Film Description:

Take a journey through the world of psychedelics and learn about the medical and psychiatric benefits of substances such as Ayahuasca, Mushrooms, Ketamine, MDMA and more. Attend an Ayahuasca ceremony in Costa Rica and learn what it is truly like to experience a life-changing transformation for people who have been through it firsthand.