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Every Star Wars fan has their favorite Star Wars thing. Maybe it’s the space battles. Maybe it’s the weird creatures. Maybe it’s the trade routes. For many, though, their favorite things are lightsabers and lightsaber battles. Which, apparently, is specific adoration that can be turned into championship glory.
io9 is excited to exclusively debut the first trailer for Saber, a new documentary about competitive lightsaber battling. Directed by Matthew Wiatt, the film follows members of a group called the Saber Legion as they battle their way towards the lightsaber fighting world championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. The film will have its world premiere in February at the 51st Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival, and it looks like a unique blend of an underdog sports story, inspirational reality, and a heavy dose of hardcore Star Wars fandom. Check it out.
To accompany the trailer, io9 asked Wiatt a few questions via email about the film, its production, and more.
Germain Lussier, io9: How did you find out about this world and decide to make a documentary about it?
Matthew Wiatt: I first came across the Saber Legion (TSL) through TikTok. The combat immediately grabbed me. It was competitive, cinematic, and hit a strong nostalgic chord. What really stood out was the community behind it. When I attended my first event, it was clear this was about more than a sport. People were building a space centered on connection, support, and belonging, and that felt like a story worth telling.
io9: How did you find the subjects?
Wiatt: The first video on TikTok I saw was posted by Alec, so I reached out to him directly. I was surprised to learn he lived about an hour away, and he invited me to attend a TSL tournament being held in Orlando, FL. At that same event, I also met Kat, who became another central voice in the film.
io9: How long have you been shooting, and how long did you shoot?
Wiatt: We shot over roughly three years. We completed post-production in the summer of 2025.
‘Saber’ subject Kat embraces fellow Saber Legion athletes. – Indie Atlantic Filmsio9: What was the biggest challenge in bringing this world to the big screen?
Wiatt: This is a truly independent film, and with that come some real challenges. Time and money are the obvious ones. I’m fortunate to work with a production company and crew who help navigate those realities and fully believe in the project. Creatively, the biggest challenge comes in the edit. We’re working with 10 to 15 terabytes of footage and have to shape it into a focused, character-driven 90-minute film.
io9: What surprised you most about this world when you were making the film?
Wiatt: I was genuinely surprised by how open and welcoming the Saber Legion community is, especially toward us as filmmakers. It’s never easy to follow people around with a camera and microphone, yet everyone was generous with their time and trust. That generosity extended well beyond the camera. Since finishing the film, I’ve even started participating in TSL myself, and it’s been a blast to experience the community from the inside.
io9: Surely Star Wars fans and non-fans alike can enjoy this, but how much more will a Star Wars fan get out of it?
Wiatt: Whether or not you’re a Star Wars fan, I hope the film encourages people to look for communities and groups where they feel supported and accepted as they are. At its core, Saber is about finding connection, something a lot of people feel they are missing right now. For Star Wars fans, there is an added layer: visual nods, cultural references, and small Easter eggs drawn from Star Wars and broader nerd culture are throughout the film.
For more on Saber, visit its official site.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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