New film about the WASP touring nationwide

The new film “Rise Above: WASP” is finally touring the country, with exhibition dates and locations nationwide. The first stop is at the Kansas City Airshow the weekend of July 3-4, 2021.

“Rise Above: WASP” details the story of the first women to fly for the United States Armed Forces, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), during World War II. The film includes never before seen WASP interviews, state-of-the-art graphics, aerial sequences, and historic reenactments. Exhibition of the film takes place throughout the country in the Commemorative Air Force‘s Rise Above Traveling Exhibit.

Produced by Hemlock Films, the film is part of the larger Rise Above education initiative created by the Commemorative Air Force museum.

While “Rise Above: WASP” was completed at the end of 2019, touring of the film was suspended until now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past year the film has won awards in several film festivals, according to officials with Hemlock Films.

About the WASP

The Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, were the first female pilots to fly American military aircraft.

Even though they faced a military unwilling to include them, the perseverance and dedication of the WASP allowed them to serve their country in a time of need, blazing a path for generations of women who would follow them into aircraft cockpits and male dominated careers everywhere.

Though there would only be 1,074 women who could call themselves WASP, their story provides an inspirational lesson about the power of self-confidence and determination, according to the producers.

Ohio-based Hemlock Films is a multi-Emmy winning film production company, specializing in aviation history. Rise Above: WASP was created by Hemlock Films director Kara White and producer Adam White. Kara and Adam have produced the national PBS Emmy winning documentaries “The Restorers” and “Space Chase USA.” Their last creation for the CAF, “Rise Above: Tuskegee Airmen,” won the ICAS 2011 Special Achievement Award.