The Accelerators: Brains, Braids & Bots

Featurette 23Min

BLOCK 1

FRI 6:30 Theater 1

SAT 6:30 Theater 2

Sun 2:30 Theater 1

Synopsis:

In their milestone 10th season, the resilient all-girls First Robotics Team, the Accelerators, strive to make it to the State Championships for the first time in their school's history. Hailing from Cass Lake, MN, nestled within the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservations, the team comes from a community of fewer than 700 people. In addition, what sets them apart is their unique status as Minnesota's only all-girls team with a counterpart boys team. FIRST Robotics is a global phenomenon that transcends borders, providing invaluable STEM opportunities while fostering teamwork and empowerment among its participants.

Director - Leah X Rathe

Leah Xiuzhen Rathe is an Asian-American filmmaker based in Minnesota. She holds a B.A. in Digital Media Arts with a Paralegal Certificate from Hamline University. Leah is passionate about the impact of film, especially as a connecting force to understand different perspectives and expanding representation. Her passion lies particularly in crafting documentaries, which she sees as a compelling means to authentically weave together narratives and amplify voices that have long been unheard. Growing up, seeing individuals like herself portrayed in media instilled a sense of belonging and purpose, motivating her to expand the space for such representation.