Noah might have traveled for 40 days and nights in search of land, but did he ever wait 42 straight days and nights for a movie? Starwoids tells the stranger than fiction details of Star Wars fans (A.K.A. Starwoids) and their six week-line-waiting quest to be the first to see Episode I - The Phantom Menace on opening day.

On April 7th, 1999, two lines formed at the Mann's Village and Chinese Theatres in L.A., each building their own laws, rules, and even government while waiting to see the first Star Wars film in over 16 years. Starwoids is more than just simple vignettes of Star Wars fans. The filmmakers actually STOOD IN LINE with fans from both lines for 42 days! Not only does Starwoids show the trials and tribulations during these tests of wills, but also we get to know them, break bread with them, and even learn from them.

Spanning over two years, looking at both Star Wars fans past and present, Starwoids is a firsthand look at the fans, the frenzy and the pursuit to see one of the most anticipated films in cinema history.

 

The idea for Starwoids came in January of 1997. During the re-release of the Star Wars Trilogy, the Starwoids crew took their cameras (a Hi-8 and super 8 at the time) and shot the opening of each film at the Chinese Theatre. There they found the love and joy of what being a Star Wars fan was all about. To the hard core costume wearing fan, to the casual admirer, people of all ages were coming together for one common goal… to bask in the glory that is Star Wars.

From there, Starwoids traveled for two years across America finding some the coolest fans of the holy trilogy; A Boba Fett DJ, a car painted like an X-wing, and Star Wars: The Musical to name a few. It was a great journey, but it was only the beginning.

IN THIS CORNER… is Daniel Alter, 17-year-old movie boy wonder. He's a regular at the Mann's Village Theatre in Westwood, California, and first in line for everything from Armageddon to Batman. Sometimes he stands in line for hours, but for Episode I, he plans on standing longer… 42 days longer to be exact. How is he going to do it? Doesn't he have school, or a life for that matter? Daniel does have a life, and it's movies. At 16, he gets the Hollywood Reporter and Variety delivered to his doorstep. His idols are Spielberg and Lucas and the boy is a treasure trove of film knowledge. His plan is simple, take the California High School Proficiency Exam, graduate early, and stand in line for 42 days... and Noah thought he had it bad.

IN THE OTHER CORNER… is Countingdown.com, a fan based website dedicated to movie fans across the world and their dedication to see the big blockbusters on opening night. Their destination - The Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Their goal: To stand in line for six weeks to be the first to see the Phantom Menace on opening day and to raise money for The Starlight Foundation, an organization that helps special needs children.

Will Daniel get in opening day? Will Countingdown? Where in the heck are they going to the bathroom? This and many more questions will be answered in Starwoids, a film that celebrates the passion, inspiration, and the obsession on what being a Star Wars fan is all about… not to mention taking fan loyalty to a whole new level. Starwoids... learn it... know it... live it.