NYC Drone Film Festival

The first time we flew a drone it was on The Today Show, and our executive editor almost piloted it into Al Roker’s face.

True story. And we’ve been in love with drones ever since.

That’s why we’re excited for this weekend’s first ever NYC Drone Film Festival.

The bad news: tickets sold out faster than anyone (your correspondent included) could have anticipated.

The good news: due to the overwhelming demand, the fest’s organizers are working on a second screening. You can sign up for the heads up here.

The better news: in observance of the fest, we’ve collected our top seven favorite drone flicks, each of which is competing in the fest. Check them out below.

Oh, and by the way: the fest is hosting an official fly-off in Brooklyn this Sunday. Great date opp, or something to do with the kids.

Drone on.

7. Floating – Florian Fischer

A “dronie” = a drone selfie, usually descending from/ascending to a great height. Fischer’s submission lets you know just how massive the ocean actually is. And how damn high drones can fly.

6. DJI Phantom Flies Into Volcano – Shaun O’Callaghan

Not the most creative title in the world, but believe us: won’t matter much when you realize that those bits of red confetti flying directly at the camera are, in fact, molten rock.

5. CINEDRONES ARE AWESOME – Antimedia

Entered into the “showreel” category for multiple types of footage combined, Antimedia’s effort pops for amazing extreme sports footage (and an excellent soundtrack).

4. Danny MacAskill: The Ridge – Cut Media

In short, Danny Macaskill rides his mountain bike to places where nothing but a drone could film it. His journey to Scotland’s outer isles gives new meaning to the term off-the-grid.

3. Our Drone Future – Alex Cornell

A sly and clever look at the future (or present?) role of surveillance drones in today’s society. Elegantly understated effects add a real extra dimension.

2. Aerial NYC – Randy Scott Slavin

Hard to beat a submission from the festival’s organizer himself brimming with eye-popping shots of our own fair city. A whole new perspective on everyday NYC life.

1. Superman With a GoPro – CorridorDigital

In your correspondent’s humble opinion, the best it’s been done yet: a thrilling POV journey through a day in the life of the Man of Steel as he foils crime, saves damsels and (of course) returns a missing GoPro.

Bonus: Fireworks Filmed With a Drone – Jos Stiglingh

Inexplicably missing from the festival’s submissions: this gorgeous footage shot from right in the goddamn middle of last year’s 4th of July fireworks on the East River. No drones were harmed in the making of this film.