The Films

• Year 2024
• Country USA
• Runtime 10 min
• Director Finn Ryan

Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere

There’s always been only a few special places in the world where wild rice (known as manoomin to the Ojibwe people), grows. Which made it troubling when manoomin stopped growing in the early 2000’s at Spur Lake, a 113 acre lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin. A group of conservation partners who have come together to bring wild rice back to Spur Lake because of its environmental and cultural importance.

• Year 2024
• Country USA
• Runtime 6 min
• Director Mike Schwartz

Family Friendly, First Time Filmmaker, Staff Pick

“Elladj" follows the remarkable journey of Elladj Balde, a Canadian figure skater whom found his voice and fan base through wild ice skating. The film centers on the transformative power of embracing one’s passion over measurable results.

• Year 2023
• Country USA
• Runtime 14 min
• Director Rishi Sethi

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

Watermarks shows how one person’s dedication and passion for paddling, river surfing, filmmaking, and conservation can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to take action and make a difference in their communities.  The story is centered on a program called First Waves, which provides under-resourced youth with the chance to enjoy and protect their local waterways.

• Year 2024
• Country USA
• Runtime 15 min
• Director Finn Ryan

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

The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians is the largest indigenous tribe east of the Mississippi and has been stewarding the fisheries of their Great Lakes territory for generations. This project explores the importance of the fishery to the tribe and how they’re working to ensure a healthy fishery for the next seven generations.