The Films

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 14 min
• Director Lindsey Hagen

Family Friendly, Staff Pick, Michigan Premiere

Fight or Flight chronicles the journey of the first female pilot employed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. She shares her story of how she overcame childhood trauma by taking to the sky. Drawn to flying as a means to flee her early life, she pursues a career in professional aviation and discovers she must first assemble the tools required to face her past and heal.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 16 min
• Director Emily Hopcian

Michigan Premiere

In the male-dominated sport of adventure racing, co-ed teams of four race unsupported through rugged, wild terrain. To compete, each team must have at least one woman. Due to this rule, in the adventure racing world, women are often referred to as “mandatory gear” for competition.

In Expedition Oregon, North America’s toughest race, three women and one man flip that script and compete as a reverse co-ed team. Over the course of five days, Team Journey/Bend Racing challenges stereotypes—and themselves—as they navigate, trek, packraft, mountain bike, rappel and more through Central Oregon’s wilderness. Throughout, they must work as a team to overcome physical, mental and emotional obstacles to complete the race and discover what’s possible with a mostly-female team.

“Mandatory Gear” pushes back on gender stereotypes; explores what makes competing on a reverse co-ed team different; and celebrates and inspires female empowerment and gender equity in sports and the outdoors.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 4 min
• Director Nick and Danielle Steffey

Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, First Time Filmmaker

Every Summer and Winter the Michigan DNR puts on Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW), a weekend-long workshop bringing women in from around the Midwest for learning, teaching, and community in the outdoors. Located on the beautiful campus of Bay Cliff Health Camp, BOW teaches many of the skills needed to be active and confident in the outdoors. The workshop provides opportunities in three general program areas: shooting and hunting, fishing, and eco-sports, such as kayaking, camping, or orienteering.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 8 min
• Director Jim Aikman

Arlene Blum led the groundbreaking first American and first all-female ascent of Annapurna in 1978. Despite dangerous avalanches and tumultuous conditions, the team was determined to prove that “A Woman’s Place Is On Top.” And though they surely did, this groundbreaking ascent is also laced with tragedy. In this installment of the AAC’s Legacy Series, Arlene reflects on the triumphs and tragedy of their ‘78 ascent of Annapurna.

• Year 2021
• Country USA
• Runtime 10 min
• Director Faith Briggs & Tim Kemple

Michigan Premiere

For Rosalie Fish, Indigenous student-athlete and activist, running isn’t just a sport — it’s how she represents the strength and resilience of indigenous women within her tribe and beyond. As we look forward to #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we are honored to share Rosalie’s story in our second episode of “Who is a Runner” – a docu-series collaboration with Brooks Running.

• Year 2021
• Country USA
• Runtime 14 min
• Director Jules Jimreivat

After immigrating from Brazil to the United States as a teenager, Maiza Lima worked to find her place in American culture and climbing. Now living in rural Montana where she is one of the only female climbers in her town, Maiza has come to realize that there are many parts of climbing culture she does not want to conform to. She discovers that she must define her own portion of American climbing, community and place to make more space for people like her.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 1 min
• Director Producer: Will Casse DP: Cam Nabors

Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, Family Friendly, Subject in Attendance

Pro stone skipper Julie Benda has a rocky reputation of dealing with chunkers and clunkers of all sizes. As one of very few women to go pro in stone skipping, she encourages others to enjoy the magic and skip to their heart’s content. This short film is produced by 60 Second Docs.