“8 Meters,” a documentary about the battle between two titans of industry in the 1960s and the drama that played out between four drivers racing for the same team for the ultimate victory, has been named an official selection of the 2016 Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. Produced by Kahn Media for The Petersen Automotive Museum and Superformance, the movie features Mario Andretti, Carroll Shelby, authors A.J. Baime and Preston Lerner, original Shelby GT40 team members Chris Amon, Charles Agapiou and Dave Friedman and Ford racing engineer Joe Macura.
The L.A. Short Film Festival is one of largest and most prestigious international short film festivals in the world, and is accredited by both the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film at Television Arts, making award winners eligible for Academy and BAFTA award nomination. The 2016 L.A. Shorts Fest takes places Sept.1-8 at the L.A. Live Stadium 14 Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Other films slated to screen at the festival include “Shame” starring Tyrese and Jennifer Hudson, “The Boy Who Learned to Fly” about Usain Bolt and “Writer’s Block,” starring Jane Lynch.
“I’m so proud and excited that ‘8 Meters’ was selected by such a well-respected and significant film festival,” said Dan Kahn, who wrote and produced the film. “This film started as a passion project because we were interested in what really happened on the finish line at Le Mans 50 years ago. As we learned more, uncovered historic footage and started to meet people who were there, the thing snowballed to the point where we knew we had to tell this story. The legends who were part of the original race team were so generous with their time. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share their story about one of America’s great racing triumphs.”
In 1966, Ford Motor Co.’s GT40s beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the closest endurance racing finish of all time. Bruce McLaren and Ken Miles crossed the line neck-and-neck, handing America its first victory at the most famous endurance race in the world. Moments later, officials led McLaren and teammate Chris Amon to the podium, while Miles – who had already won Daytona and Sebring that year – lost his shot at the Triple Crown of Endurance racing. Officials claimed the margin of victory was eight meters. Five decades later, questions have gone unanswered – did Grand Prix drivers Amon and McLaren outdrive Shelby’s development driver Ken Miles, or were other forces at work? “8 Meters” examines the legends, stories and historical footage to sort out what happened with the people that were there.
“8 Meters” also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the young men who risked everything to bring America its first Le Mans championship, thanks to rare photos captured by team photographer Friedman before he went on to a tremendously successful career in Hollywood. The film was shot at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, at Irvine, California-based Superformance LLC, which manufactures the GT40 MkI and MkII, as well as in New Zealand, Michigan and Willow Springs International Raceway.
