Junk Paddle

2018 • USA • 25 min • Nathan Dappen

Family Friendly

In 1974, my 20-year-old parents and uncle Andy built their own canoes, launched them into the Pacific, and became some the first people in modern history to canoe from Washington to Alaska up the Inside Passage. My brother and I grew up paddling those wooden canoes in the Virginia rivers and the 1974 adventure became legend in our family – shaping who we’ve become, how we view our parents, and how our parents view themselves. In the summer of 2017, we renovated those canoes and with our aging parents completed their 1974 journey. The Passage is a story about growing up, growing old, and the wild places that define us.

2023 • USA • 66 min • Ben Albert

Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, First Time Filmmaker, Work in Progress, Staff Pick, Making Waves Recipient

Guided by the wisdom of his grandfather, a young filmmaker journeys through the mysterious wetland in his grandparent’s backyard. Navigating the challenges of this environment, the film uncovers the life, secrets, and importance of wetlands in a way that must be seen to be believed. 

2023 • USA • 16 min • Danami-Maurice

Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick

In ‘Belonging,’ follow Dalorian, a student in the college course GCST 1970, as he embarks on a journey through nature-based education and environmental justice. Exploring serene Minnesota lakes and the Bois Forte Museum, he and his classmates confront a profound question: What does it mean to belong in nature? This film weaves raw, poetic visuals with deep reflections on identity and community, highlighting their transformative experience in understanding their connection to the natural world.