ABOUT THE FILM
Spirit vs. Score chronicles 45 years of the Rochester ultimate frisbee community, exploring how a local sports organization navigates growth, evolving values, and the tension between competition and founding principles.
Through interviews with founding members, longtime players, coaches, and current community leaders, the film traces Rochester ultimate’s journey from its origins at RIT in the 1970s, through the PUL era of the 1980s and 90s, to the Greater Rochester Area Disc Association’s role in organizing today’s community of hundreds of players. Central to this story is “Spirit of the Game,” ultimate’s unique self-officiating philosophy that emphasizes sportsmanship and mutual respect over winning at all costs.
But this isn’t just a film about frisbee. It’s about how any community wrestles with change while trying to stay true to what matters most. The documentary explores shifting gender dynamics, the rise of competitive structures, and the ongoing question of how to serve both recreational players seeking camaraderie and serious athletes striving for peak performance.
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS
Every community faces these questions: How do we grow without losing what made us special? How do we balance tradition with progress? How do we create space for different needs and perspectives?
Rochester’s ultimate community offers a microcosm of these universal challenges. Through honest conversations about gender equity, competitive intensity, and organizational evolution, the film provides a case study in how local groups navigate change while maintaining their core identity.
WHO’S MAKING IT
Rui Da Costa is a filmmaker and current GRADA board member who has been part of the Rochester ultimate community for over 14 years, including serving as GRADA’s webmaster. This insider perspective brings depth and authenticity to the storytelling while maintaining the objective distance needed to examine the community’s evolution critically.
As a software engineer and member of the advisory board for Rochester Documentary Filmmakers, Rui brings both technical skills and documentary experience to the production.
WHERE WE ARE
Interviews are currently underway with 15 community members spanning multiple generations of Rochester ultimate, from founding members to current players. Production runs through 2026, with more details about screenings and community events coming as they’re confirmed.