THE HOBBY: TALES FROM THE TABLE TOP
Directed by Simon Ennis | 92 min | Canada
From the World Series of Board Games on the Vegas Strip and dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, THE HOBBY is an affectionate, character-driven portrait of the massive and diverse subculture of board games.
With a fascinating cast of charming subjects, including the "Roger Ebert of board games," a rock-climbing board game philosopher, and a birdwatcher who created an unlikely smash hit, players share personal stories of competition, compulsion, creativity, and connection throughout the film.
More than just a movie about board games, THE HOBBY explores the value of leisure time and uncovers the deep meaning found in "meaningless" pursuits.
FESTIVALS | SXSW, Calgary International Film Festival
Preceded by the short film:
SATURDAY
Directed by Jessica Hall | 13 min | Canada
Katherine and her mother, Frances, spend every Saturday together. They go thrifting, peruse the hardware store and devote time to their shared hobby of building —and renovating— dollhouses. Saturday is a tribute to filmmaker Jessica Hall’s sister and mother, chronicling their journey as Katherine navigates life with an intellectual disability.