TIP WIZARD MODE Premiere at Hot Docs 2016

[Menace]

WIZARD MODE Premiere at Hot Docs 2016

In the game of pinball, there is no greater reward than Wizard Mode – a hidden level that is only unlocked when a player completes a series of lightning-speed challenges. Robert Emilio Gagno has dedicated most of his life to mastering Wizard Mode, and is now one of the top pinball players in the world. He also happens to have autism.

As a young boy, his parents realized they could give him a quarter and he would play on a pinball machine for hours. Refusing to believe their son was locked into a limited future, his parents supported him as he practiced non-stop, developing an exceptional talent for the game. But now Robert’s real challenge lies outside the game on his journey to shed his youth and gain independence.

Wizard Mode is a candid personal perspective on autism through the life of the now world pinball champion. The film follows Robert as he seeks to balance his quest to become a world pinball champion and his growing real world responsibilities, culminating at the largest pinball tournament in the world, Pinburgh, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Watch the trailer:

Screenings in Toronto:

MONDAY MAY 2 - 7:15PM - Scotiabank Theatre & Premiere After Party at Handle Bar (159 Augusta Ave.) at 9PM

WEDNESDAY MAY 4 - 1:00PM - Hart House Theatre

SATURDAY MAY 7 - 6:15 - Scotiabank Theatre (Special sensory-friendly screening for people on the autism spectrum, presented in partnership with Autism Ontario)

Each screening will follow with a Q&A with Robert and the directors, Nathan Drillot & Jeff Lee Petry.

Purchase tickets:
http://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=50912~edeed7b8-5598-4ac6-994a-ca71bc407bc4&epguid=1982376d-17a7-4bb4-9959-f38bb053d10d&


Find us online:

www.wizardmodefilm.com
www.facebook.com/wizardmodefilm
www.twitter.com/wizardmodefilm
www.instagram.com/wizardmodefilm

 

[DRANO]

Cinematic highlight of the year for me so far.
Can't wait for Monday!

 

[tkaye]

Thanks for posting Doug. See you there!

 

[mwong168]

Inside the Mind of the World's Greatest Pinball Wizard
http://www.vice.com/read/hanging-ou...all-wizard-who-just-wants-to-level-up-in-life

 

[dnewman]

Just played some head-to-head with Robert over at Frolic's... I had the slight advantage after the 2nd ball, no big deal ...then he absolutely annihilated me on the 3rd ball by over 110 million points!

Hey... he's the PAPA World Champion, it's not like I had any delusions of winning! ...and as the vice article says, "When he's playing well, he flips his jacket halfway down his arms and goes silent..."

 

[Luckydogg420]

I just saw him on Canada am. They were promoting Wizard mode in Toronto.

 

[Chris Bardon]

If you don't feel like heading down to the festival, the movie is actually up on vimeo now. Looks like it's stream only (no download), but I'm sure that'll get rectified soon enough.

 

[mwong168]

I went last night with a bunch of friends from the "circle" and we took up the entire row in the theatre. It was a great pinball documentary and highly recommend going down to see it or purchasing it from vimeo website below.



http://www.vimeo.com/wizardmode
Available for purchase ($13) or rental ($5) now.

 

[Menace]

As Mike said, it was a great doc and there were a LOT of local collectors / players in attendance last night which was great to see. Had a chance to chat with Robert and his Dad Maurizio and the film makers afterwards. Robert even signed a few movie posters for a few of us.