ESPN is halfway through the critically acclaimed "30 for 30", a series in which ESPN showcases 30 films done by 30 different filmmakers focused on the issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games, and events in sports that occurred in the past 30 years.

The filmmakers are presented with the challenge of portraying their passion and insight for their chosen moment, re-telling a sports story that resonated at the time, and dive deeper into the subject providing insight that may have been overlooked at the time.

One particular "30 for 30" has a special meaning to the action sports industry, "The Birth of Big Air" the story of Mat Hoffman. Directed by Jeff Tremaine and produced by Johnny Knoxville and Spike Jonze.

If you're at all familiar with BMX, or the X Games, you without a doubt know Mat Hoffman. After turning pro in 1988 "The Condor" as his friends call him, dominated the contest scene for years, inventing tricks every time he took the ramp. Mat became obsessed with going "HUGE".

He strived to push the limits, regardless of what gravity had to say about it. The problem with defying gravity is this price you can't escape, and for Mat he's paid the price multiple times. He's best remembered for the notoriously violent crashes and his incredible resilience to get back to his feet. "The Birth of Big Air" separates the risk from award, and the glory from the pain; it's an all access adventure inside the psyche of the gnarliest man on a BMX bike.

"Mat is awesome as shit, so we decided to make a movie about him."
--Spike Jonze, Jeff Tremaine, Johnny Knoxville

So here's a friendly reminder,do yourself a favor and don't forget to watch. The film premiers Thursday July29^th on ESPN, just in time to get you stoked for X Games 16.