The Films

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 3 min
• Director Whit Hassett

Michigan Premiere

Connecting humanity with salmon and the sea through the subtle art of poetry and Gyotaku (fish rubbing), Duncan Berry shares his experience as a longtime environmentalist and former captain of a salmon troller.

In adopting the perspective of this transcendent fish, the beauty and power of the Oregon coast becomes the canvas through which the evolution of the salmon is illustrated.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 10 min
• Director Mykhailo Bogdanov

Michigan Premiere

An exploration of natural silence and human existence within it.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 11 min
• Director Matt Devlin

Michigan Premiere

Josiah Ching, a Hawaiian native and Iraq war veteran, is ready to tell his story. From shouldering the responsibility to do what it takes to survive, to shouldering the burden of then surviving, a soldier’s re-entry to the world they left behind is a lot to endure. Some can’t bear it. The lucky ones, like Josiah, find ways to cope. After the war, Josiah started fly fishing for bonefish and it saved his life.

• Year 2021
• Country USA
• Runtime 6 min
• Director Cody Lewis and Marc Rotse

Gian Lawrence is a fly fisherman and outdoorsman with a unique origin story. Growing up in Puyallup and Tacoma’s Hilltop, he fell into a life of crime, violence, and destitution until a near-death experience opened his eyes and his soul to the outdoors and a sport largely inaccessible to young black men like him, fly fishing.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 12 min
• Director Erik Sudheimer

Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Adult Language

It’s the end of the ice fishing season and Nate’s desire for northern pike has him reaching for alternative baits. Which legendary bait of legends will prevail? Soaked hot dogs? Fish shaped cheese? Traditional suckers or the mind bending wienershrimp?! As we await the answer, salivate over the cauldron of Nate’s Jambalaya steaming away on the soon to be melting ice.

• Year 2022
• Country USA
• Runtime 25 min
• Director Brett Marty & Josh Izenberg

Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere

For Shawn Hayes, the ancient practice of falconry is more than a deep connection with raptors. It’s his life’s work. As an American falconry ambassador, he’s carved a space for himself where people of color haven’t always been welcome.