Losing Grip United States, Florida, Local Director: Steven Nye 59:51
Shane Wiskus is a top collegiate gymnast who dreams of going to the Olympics. But when the COVID-19 pandemic postpones the games, his university uses the crisis as a pretext to cut the program. Shane is forced to train independently and yet still manages to win the Nissen Emery Award at the end of the year, the NCAA’s highest honor for gymnastics. But in order to reach the Olympic trials, he will have to perform well at the U.S. Championships. After five rotations, and with his father watching from a hotel lobby, Shane’s in second place. His last event is the high bar. On his most dangerous release move, Shane loses grip and falls onto the mats below. The crowd and commentators gasp. He gets back up and tries the release again, but this time, misses the bar altogether. The arena goes silent. His dad can’t watch and walks out. The commentators express concern for his safety. For a third time, Shane remounts the apparatus and executes the release, only to lose grip again and fall hard on his back. Shane is down, but is he out? Shane has a strong following on social media and has promoted the film heavily in the past.
