Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby is the inspiring true story of 20 female pilots, including Amelia Earhart, who defied convention by taking to the skies and racing across America's in 1929. ...

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Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby is the inspiring true story of 20 female pilots, including Amelia Earhart, who defied convention by taking to the skies and racing across America's in 1929. Facing cultural stereotypes, mechanical failures, threats of sabotage, navigational challenges and endless chicken dinners, the women were pioneering legends in aviation. This award-winning documentary is expertly researched, beautifully shot and filled with carefully restored footage of the derby, some of which has not been seen in over 80 years. Aerial recreations with brightly colored planes similar to what the women flew in the derby help put the viewer in the pilot's seat while interviews with family members, aviation experts and aviation legends such as Elinor Smith Sullivan and Patty Wagstaff enhance the story. Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby is perfect for anyone who has cheered on the underdog or those looking for an example on how to overcome obstacles and follow one's own passion. Breaking Through The Clouds: The First Women's National Air Derby was presented with the National Aviation Hall of Fame's prestigious Comb Gates Award, Telly and TIVA top honors, winner of multiple film festivals as well as the recipient of a top content and top research award. Archetypal Images is the producer and copyright holder of this film. All rights reserved.

  • Seen on PBS. Actual Footage of the 1929 Derby, some of which has not been seen in over eighty years
  • Recreations with planes similar to what the women in the derby flew
  • Interviews with family members and aviation legends Elinor Smith Sullivan and Patty Wagstaff
  • Character driven and factually based documentary
  • Winner of the National Aviation Hall of Fame's Combs Gates Award and over a dozen more including film festival & insdustry standard awards

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