Mercury 13

When Dr. Sally Ride lifted off in the Challenger, the first American woman in space was riding on the shoulders of a group of pioneering women whose little-known story finally gets its due in this passionate and rousing documentary. These proud pilots were selected for rigorous testing and often fared better than their male counterparts, but were ultimately shut out of the NASA program. Through spirited interviews and revealing archival footage, the film allows these thwarted but amazing aviators to inspire anew. (San Francisco International Film Festival)