All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival 2009

This is the story of the rise of a small town hockey club called EHC Arosa. It is an informative tale about the transition from amateur to professional sport. It's also an example of the social changes that started in the 1980's and are still under way today in terms of idealism to shareholder value; from family business to large corporation; from solidarity to individualism.

At age 28, Diane Israel stepped down from m her career as one of the world’s top women triathletes. Competing since she was 14, her body finally collapsed from fatigue and anorexia under the extreme physical pressures required of today’s professional athletes. Though sports had been her life, Diane switched gears, went back and became a psychotherapist. In her new role, Diane heard a multitude of stories from patients, each more shocking than the last, of the lengths they would go to in order to achieve the ‘perfect’ body. To understand their heartfelt desire for physical perfection at any cost, Diane set out to explore their actions in the broader context of the culture and business of Beauty in America. What she discovers over the course of her journey will hit frighteningly close to home, revealing Diane’s own deeply moving story of family secrets, self-doubt and personal abuse. BEAUTY MARK presents an alarming, infuriating, and at times, humorous look at the myriad forces that shape our perceptions of beauty. The film follows Diane as she speaks with champion athletes, body builders, fashion models, burn survivors and inner-city teens on their experiences and insights relating to self-image. Notable luminaries such as playwright Eve Ensler, author Paul Campos and cultural critic Naomi Wolf provide commentary. Woven throughout is Diane’s relationship with her family, for whom maintaining the façade of a picture-perfect household meant everything. When Diane’s family reunites at her recently paralyzed mother’s home, their poignant gathering is the final key to Diane’s inspirational and extraordinary transformation.

"Bicycle Dreams" is a powerful documentary about the Race Across America, a 3000-mile bicycle race that challenges riders to cross the country in less than ten days. This ultimate test of endurance provides the backdrop for a soul-stirring journey to the finish line.

A tale of one year of a bronc rider's trail to glory. Come along for the ride as Cody Wright hits the rodeo trail on a quest to win the 2008 Saddle Bronc Riding Championship. The 31 year-old father of four had been to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo five times and never won. Now, if he is going to win the world in 2008, he would have to outride the man he had idolized since boyhood - 45 year-old Billy Etbauer, one of the greatest to ever climb on a bucking horse. Narrated by Wilford Brimley with music by Dan Truman of Diamond Rio.

“The Challenge of Champions: The Story of Lane Frost and Red Rock,” covers the great duel between Frost and Red Rock. Their special seven-match series in 1988 captured the attention of die-hard rodeo fans and those totally new to the sport.

The University of Michigan's Solar Car Team knows all about winning. Four-time American Solar Challenge Champions, the team has placed third in the World Solar Challenge three times. In 2007, with groundbreaking design and a seasoned race crew, team members traveled to the Outback of Australia confident they would come home with the champion's trophy. Then, the unthinkable happened.

How does one become a semi-pro disc golfer? "I eat my Disc-o's, practice everyday, and stay serious and focused until my mom tells me it's time to come in." Orville White knows all to well that his life is running short on time to join the ranks of his superstar professional disc golfer idol, the Genie. When the Genie's hole-in-one tournament comes to town, Orville seizes the opportunity.

A bunch of 20 something guys still trying to be "like Mike".