2017 Maine Outdoor Film Festival Selections
Shorts (under 12 minutes long)
 40 WINTERS
Directed by: Simon Donato and Drew Goldsack – AB, Canada – 11 minutes Synopsis: 40 Winters follows adventurer Simon Donato, professional obstacle course racer Ryan Atkins and ultra-runner Adam Campbell as they attempt to traverse the 11 peaks of the iconic Mt. Rundle ridge in a single day. Facing snow, ice, and quickly changing early spring conditions, the trio set out along the iconic Rundle ridge between Canmore and Banff, Canada, to try and post a fastest known time for the traverse in winter conditions. With interviews from mountain legends such as Chic Scott, Charlie Locke, Will Gadd and Jack Firth, 40 Winters examines what it means to live and play in the mountains, have adventures, and most importantly come home safely. |
 5 TRAILS TO RUN BEFORE YOU DIE
Directed by: Tom Malecha – Switzerland – 4 minutes Synopsis: This to the week-ends, to those 48 hours when we are allowed to run and be free. In this video, we explore the finest trails in the valleys and mountains, surrounding Lago Maggiore, Switzerland. |
 A PASSION OF GOLD AND FIRE
Directed by: Sebastien Pins – Belgium – 6 minutes Synopsis: A beekeeper shares his worries about the future of his apiary school. A passion of gold and fire which definitely helps our environment to keep on living. |
 ADAM HAYNES – FINDING BALANCE
Directed by: Luke Seile, Paul Williams, Matt Katsolis – USA – 4 minutes Synopsis: Artist Adam Haynes finds inspiration and life balance outside. Choosing a life rich in experiences. |
 CINECITTà ON WHEELS
Directed by: Inti Carboni – Italy – 4 minutes Synopsis: A skateboarding journey through the Cinecittà film studios in Rome, Italy. |
 DAD’S DAY OUT
Directed by: Peter Herrick – Maine, USA – 2 minutes Synopsis: A busy dad gets a rare day off. A day entirely, completely, 100% to himself. |
 IMAGINE KOLLE 37Directed by: Michele Meek – USA – 7 minutesSynopsis: IMAGINE KOLLE 37 is a short documentary/narrative hybrid film about two girls who imagine their way to Kolle 37, a real adventure playground in Berlin, Germany. Although about 1,000 adventure playgrounds exist in Europe, there are only a few in the U.S. where the concept of “free play” is becoming an endangered concept. 9/4/17 –Bug Light Park – South Portland, ME |
 JUNGFRAU MARATHON
Directed by: Jochen Schmoll – Canada – 10 minutes Synopsis: An over 3200m vertical climb to the 4156m summit of Jungfrau: the “vertical Jungfrau Marathon” is one of Roger Schälis and David Hefts highlights, not only because of the unique route that connects all disciplines of mountaineering, but also because it’s an adventure right at their doorstep. “Jungfrau Marathon” is a short dynamic documentary which accompanies the two professional climbers on their home run. |
 LAST LIGHTKEEPERS – FORD REICHE
Directed by: Rob Apse – Maine, USA – 3 minutes Synopsis: All across New England, individuals and preservation groups have taken on the responsibility to protect light stations at whatever cost. This is part 3 of an 8-part series. Surrounded by 360 degrees of unforgiving tides, Ford Reiche, owner of Halfway Rock Light Station, welcomes the everyday challenge of restoring an offshore lighthouse. |
 NO MAN’S LAND
Directed by: Davide Calafà – Milan, Italy – 3 minutes Synopsis: We live in a fast paced society. Walking slows us down; nature never hurries. A six day hike with a couple of friends into the wild, carrying everything necessary to explore a part of this incredible landscape. Walking through volcanoes. Wind will be strong. There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. |
 SURFING GALICIA
Directed by: Alex Levin – Spain – 4 minutes Synopsis: In Northern Spain the autonomous community of Galicia provides some of the most striking landscapes in Spain. From the beautiful mountains and lush forests inland to the unique series of bay-like inlets around the coast (known colloquially as ‘rías’). These rías provide the surfers in Galicia with amazing conditions no matter the direction of the wind or the swell. Galicians know what makes their home so special, we wanted to share that with the rest of the world. |
 THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
Directed by: Zak Emerson – Iceland – 5 minutes Synopsis: Arriving on the first day summer, a national holiday in Iceland, Pete Coombs and his small group of splitboarding friends head north and back into winter. Pete begins to question the reasons, justifications and risks involved in such an expedition. |
 THE MOUNTAIN WITHIN
Directed by: Philippe Woodtli – Switzerland – 4 minutes Synopsis: This the new dream of Géraldine Fasnacht: Being the first person to fly with her wingsuit from the highest peak of the Mont Rose massif, natural boundary between Switzerland and Italy. The Mountain Within is a journey which takes the spectator on the tracks of Géraldine and her newest adventure. |
 THE TIME IS NOW
Directed by: Margaret C King – USA – 9 minutes Synopsis: Mike Libecki has been seeking out the most remote first ascents on the planet for almost two decades. When he finally has a chance at a climb he’s been denied for over a decade, he invites his brother to go with him for the final attempt…. The only problem is his brother is not a climber. But, they share the blood, bond and belief of brotherhood–and something even deeper–the desire to answer the question their grandmother instilled in them: Why ration passion? |
 EXPLORE TO DISCOVER
Directed by: David Katz – USA – 4 minutes Synopsis: Explore to Discover’ is a short documentary that follows six members of the Cornell Tree Climbing Institute to Costa Rica during an annual expedition of canopy exploration. Along the way, the team asks the important and difficult questions of what it means to explore and ultimately discover. |
 OLD RAG MOUNTAINDirected by: Nathan King – USA – 3 minutes Synopsis: Within the forests of Old Rag Mountain, a boy, a bird, and a stone all converge in a fragile incident of childhood curiosity. Screening 9/9/17 – Waterfall Arts – Belfast, ME |
 THE MAKING OF EXPEDITION ALASKADirected by: Brian J. Leitten – USA – 5 minutes Synopsis: A crew of 20 traveled to the Kenai Peninsula to film a 7-day nonstop race through the Alaskan Wilderness. A part of the University of Cincinnati Production Masterclass; 7 students, 2 teachers and 11 professionals filmed racers through a 350-mile course of true wilderness, battling strong winds and glacial rapids to get the most amazing story and film possible. This is their story. Screening 9/8/17 – John Bapst High School Auditorium – Bangor, ME |
 TIMBERDirected by: Jessica Christensen – USA – 10 minutes Synopsis: The heart of Timbersports at Montana State University. Screening 9/8/17 – John Bapst High School Auditorium – Bangor, ME
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 България: изток на запад (BULGARIA: EAST TO WEST)Directed by: Brian J. Leitten – USA – 5 minutes Synopsis: Last summer Hyperion XIII traveled to Bulgaria as an official selection at the DroneUp International Film Festival. Fascinated by the unique architecture, we decided to travel the country to experience it from a new vantage point. From ancient Greek ruins to a 1,000 year-old monastery to graffiti-stained Communist-era monuments, this film explores the influence of culture on architecture. Screening 9/16/17 – L.L. Bean/Discovery Park – Freeport, ME Screening 9/23/17 – Baxter Brewing Co. – Lewiston, ME |
Short Features (12 to 39 minutes long)
 (VANLIFE): DIRTBAGGING IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARKDirected by: Meghan Hill – USA – 20 minutes Synopsis: A short documentary about modern day vanlife: the good, the bad, and everything in between. Filmed out in Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California, I lived out of a van myself and befriended a group of solo vanlife travelers to capture the essence of this dirtbag, rock climbing, live-by-the-seat-of-your-pants lifestyle. Through my interviews with multiple solo travelers, this story aims to break common stereotypes about van life, revealing very real challenges and also discovering the true rewards of living on the road. Screening 9/8/17 – John Bapst High School Auditorium – Bangor, ME Screening 9/14/17 – The Gem Theatre – Bethel, ME |
 CONVERGENCEDirected by: Jeremy Roberts – USA – 13 minutes Synopsis: Convergence explores the deeper connections and traditions that unite all fly anglers in the fight against climate change. An unlikely force for big change on climate policy, the nation’s four million passionate fly anglers are as dependent on cold water as the fish they pursue. Screening 9/9/17 – Waterfall Arts – Belfast, ME |
 CORAZONDirected by: RA Beattie – Mexico – 20 minutes Synopsis: A short film about cultures Mexican and American people coming together; building cultural bridges, instead of walls, around shared passion and experience. On the tiny island of Holbox, a stone’s throw from the Mexico mainland, lives a legendary angler named Sandflea. People from all over the world travel here to fish with him. One such gringo is Mike Dawes, who stumbled into Sandflea’s welcoming home years ago and quickly became family. On land, Sandflea’s a dad, a grandfather, the unofficial mayor, a teacher, and the main source of dinner for his neighbors and friends. On the water, he’s as schooled as they come when it comes to permit and tarpon. But a childhood bout of Scarlet fever weakened Sandflea’s heart and has led him to multiple surgeries. His willingness to share with all of us makes it all the more ironic . . . the guy with the biggest heart needs a new one. This is the story of the unlikely friendship between two anglers and the willingness of the fly fishing industry to rally around a guide in need. Screening 9/1/17 – Rangeley Lakeside Theatre – Rangeley, ME |
 DEAD MEATDirected by: Peter Ackerman – Maine, USA – 21 minutes Synopsis: Dead Meat is a glance at our current relationship with wild animals and nature, investigating the phenomena of roadkill and the effects that roads and urbanization have on wild animals, and the many implications of these effects. Screening 9/9/17 – Waterfall Arts – Belfast, ME |
 DEFOE’S WAYDirected by: Blake Miller – Maine, USA – 25 minutes Synopsis: Legendary wilderness teacher Gardner Defoe and 15 of his students, new and old, unite from all across the country for one last canoe trip on Maine’s remote Allagash River. The adventure quickly tests the group, who put into action Defoe’s life lessons that transformed them years ago, when they encounter the unexpected… rekindling what makes them family. Screening 9/16/17 – L.L. Bean/Discovery Park – Freeport, ME |
 FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVEDirected by: Patrick Sweeney – Russia, USA – 26 minutes Synopsis: A father is attempting to be the first person to every bring a bicycle up and ride down the Seven Summits. For Europe’s highest mountain, Mt Elbrus deep in Russia’s Caucus region, his 11 year old son wants to come along for the adventure. One bike, two little feet against Europe’s highest peak. Screening 8/26/17 – Sugarloaf MTB Fest – Carrabassett Valley, ME |
 GEORGIA TO MAINEDirected by: Reid Lauff, Parker McBain – USA – 13 minutes Synopsis: Accompanied by their three hiking companions, thru hikers Lane and Graham journey across the East Coast from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Screening 9/1/17 – Rangeley Lakeside Theatre – Rangeley, ME |
 iMMERSiONDirected by: Ben Keller – Maine, USA – 23 minutes Synopsis: The power of surfing is deeper than you can imagine. Three kids with disabilities show us how powerful it can be for them, their families and their communities. These kids aren’t just surfing. They are growing. Screening 9/7/17 – Leavitt Theatre – Ogunquit, ME |
 JONDACHIDirected by: Mike McKay – Ecuador – 13 minutes Synopsis: The Jondachi river cuts its way through the jungles of the Napo Valley in Ecuador. For those who live with the river it provides more than a physical connection. It provides a connection that fills the spirit. Screening 9/2/17 – Three Rivers – The Forks, ME em>Screening 9/4/17 –Bug Light Park – South Portland, ME |
 LIFTED: A SKI FILM FOR THE REST OF US\”Directed by:Oly Mingo – USA – 30 minutes Synopsis: A wintertime love story exploring the universal attraction between skier, boarder and mountain. From first chair to flamingo days, from deep powder to epic corduroy, “Lifted: A Ski Film for the Rest of Us” celebrates athletes and amateurs of all shapes and styles. Have craft mountains become endangered? Or are hometown hills an eternal source of stoke and adventure for generations to come? Pull out the long underwear and grab a beer as we follow one community’s quest to get Lifted. Screening 9/4/17 –Bug Light Park – South Portland, ME Screening 9/16/17 – L.L. Bean/Discovery Park – Freeport, ME Screening 10/7/17 – The Beach at Sugarloaf – Carrabassett Valley, ME |
 MAS AFUERA: EXPEDITION TO SELKIRK ISLANDDirected by: Patricio Mekis, Mateo Barrenengoa – Chile – 22 minutes Synopsis: A group of athletes embark on a journey to Selkirk Island, located in the Juan Fernández archipelago, in order to explore its waves, culture, and endemic flora and fauna. Screening 9/7/17 – Leavitt Theatre – Ogunquit, ME Screening 9/9/17 – Waterfall Arts – Belfast, ME |
 MOUNTAINS OF HEAVENDirected by: Jenny Tough – Kyrgyzstan – 22 minutes Synopsis: Solo adventurer and endurance runner Jenny Tough attempts to run across the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan, carrying everything she needs to survive on her back and using ancient nomad trails carved into the imposing Tien Shan mountains. Screening 9/29/17 – The Camden Snow Bowl – Camden, ME |
 THE POACHERDirected by: Nicholas Jones – United Kingdom – 12 minutes Synopsis: John collects wild produce that has recently become in demand through the gentrification of East London and the influx of trendy restaurants. These popular restaurants are after the freshness of locally handpicked food and John ‘The Poacher’ knows where it’s to be found. Witnessing John walking through London with a string of rabbits is as if we we are looking at an image of the past. John has the skills to identify wild food, trap animals and fish, skills most of of us have long forgotten. They say the streets of London are paved with gold, In John’s case he simply bends down and picks it up. Following John through each season gives an insight into the rich produce that is there for us all, if only we could remember. Screening 9/9/17 – Waterfall Arts – Belfast, ME |
 THE RAFTSMENDirected by: Ryan Barnett – Canada – 17 minutes Synopsis: Henri Beaudout barely survived his adolescence fighting in the French Resistance. Years later, he hatched an unusual plan to salve his wounds from the war: Henri mounted a 4000 km voyage across the North Atlantic aboard a primitive log raft. Screening 9/7/17 – Leavitt Theatre – Ogunquit, ME |
 THE TIME TRAVELERSDirected by: Forest Woodward – USA – 23 minutes Synopsis: The USA Rafting Team has never won a world championship. With full-time jobs, families, and responsibilities, these scrappy 30-40-year olds use their free time and vacation days to train, travel the world, and race against competitors sometimes half their age. They’ve been close, but never the best. On January 13, 2017, they set their sights on making history, attempting to break a legendary speed record down 277 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Their goal was 34 hours. In a custom-built 48 foot raft and with ultramarathon effort, “The Time Travelers” is the story of ordinary people attempting something extraordinary on one of the world’s most breathtaking stages. 34 hours – just a blip in the scope of geological history – could be both their defining moment and the ride of their lives. Screening 9/2/17 – Three Rivers – The Forks, ME |
Features (over 40 minutes long)
 INTO TWIN GALAXIES – A GREENLAND EPICDirected by: Jochen Schmoll – Greenland – 52 minutes Synopsis: Three National Geographic “adventurers of the Year” embark on an insane kayaking mission in Greenland. With kite skis they tow their white water kayaks over 1000 km of the Greenland Ice Cap to reach the most northern river ever paddled. Screening 9/2/17 – Three Rivers – The Forks, ME |
 NORTH OF KNOWNDirected by: Bryan Smith – USA – 52 minutes Synopsis: NORTH OF KNOWN, a Red Bull Media House Film documents professional paragliders Gavin McClurg and Dave Turner attempting a full, unsupported traverse of the Alaska Range by foot and paraglider, across North Americas highest mountains. The team faces endless extreme weather, starvation, grizzly bears, uncrossable rivers and countless glaciers in one of the worlds most remote and inhospitable mountain ranges. After 37 days Gavin McClurg completes the expedition solo and becomes the first person to traverse the Alaska Range by paraglider, fulfilling a dream he’d been chasing for six years. Screening 9/23/17 – Baxter Brewing Co. – Lewiston, ME |
 THE TOWN THAT MOVED A MOUNTAINDirected by: Rick Groleau – Maine, USA – 45 minutes Synopsis: It took a lot of effort to move this Maine mountain, but it led to a local ski revolution that benefitted the entire community. Screening 9/1/17 – Rangeley Lakeside Theatre – Rangeley, ME Screening 9/14/17 – The Gem Theatre – Bethel, ME |