PALMER RAPIDS, ON – The Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour premieres this Thursday night, February 7 at the Bloor Cinema in Toronto. The premiere will screen this year's winning films including Lockapalooza Rodeo (Best Short) and Oil + Water (Best Documentary). The premiere is hosted by The Complete Paddler and the Outing Club of East York, with Ben Aylsworth as the MC. Advance tickets are available at (416) 255-6905. Click here to see a list of the winning films.
2008 REEL PADDLING FILM FESTIVAL CATEGORY WINNERS
BEST ADVENTURE TRAVEL sponsored by Kokatat
Birthplace of the Wind
Duration: 25 minutes
Year Produced: 2006
Year Released: 2006
A three-week long journey from California, through British Columbia and Alaska delivers one of the loneliest and least-known spots on earth (halfway between Russia and Alaska), where the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea collide at what the Aleuts called, the Birthplace of the Wind. A sea kayak journey to five volcanic Aleutian islands rising straight out of the sea, in a region where it is common for gales to exceed 100 miles an hour with 10-foot standing tidal rips.
Director and Producer: Jon Bowermaster
Website: www.jonbowermaster.com
BEST INSTRUCTIONAL PADDLING FILM sponsored by Algonquin College
Kayak Fishing: The Ultimate Guide
Duration: 60 minutes [FESTIVAL VERSION 15 MINUTES]
Year Produced: 2007
Year Released: 2008
The Ultimate Guide to Kayak Fishing is a comprehensive look at one of the fastest growing sports in North America. Scott Null and Joel McBride cover all the basics to give the new kayak angler a solid foundation of skills and concepts, and allow a safe and comfortable entry into the sport. The authors also draw on their vast knowledge to offer a wealth of tips and tricks to help even very experienced anglers get the most of their time on the water.
Directors and Producers: Ken Whiting, Will Richardson
Website: www.helipress.com
BEST SHORT PADDLING FILM sponsored by MTI Adventurewear
Lockapalooza Rodeo
Duration: 5 minutes
Year Produced: 2007
Year Released: 2007
Lockapalooza Rodeo is a clever claymation featurette made by 11-year-old Ben Doran as a fundraiser for the Lock 32 Whitewater Park in Pittsford, NY. The main character is bored and doesn't have anything to do, until he sees a commercial for Lock 32 and decides to give whitewater kayaking a try.
Director and Producer: Ben Doran
Website: www.claydogh.blogspot.com
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM sponsored by Werner Paddles
Oil + Water
Duration: 60 minutes [FESTIVAL VERSION 33 MINUTES]
Year Produced: 2007
Year Released: 2008
Seth Warren and Tyler Bradt kayak the rivers of the Americas and tackle the longest 100% petroleum-free road trip in the world: The Pan-American Highway. Sparked by the unified vision of two brotherly kayakers with a passion for sustainable lifestyle choices, the Oil + Water Project combines their passion for life on the water with a strong desire to motivate and educate youth to make sustainable lifestyle choices through alternative energy.
Director and Producer: Seth Warren
Website: www.oilandwaterproject.org
BEST SEA KAYAKING FILM sponsored by Impex Kayaks
Pacific Horizons: Exploring the Northwest Coast by Kayak
Duration: 60 minutes [FESTIVAL VERSION 30 MINUTES]
Year Produced: 2007
Year Released: 2007
Blending wildlife, people, places and action-packed kayaking, Bryan Smith takes us on an unforgettable journey documenting: impressive tidal race surfing; the Orca whales of the San Juan Islands; the Bunsby Islands off the remote coast of Vancouver Island; "commando kayaking" with Greenland rolling and rope gymnastics champion Dudside and the wind and waves of the Oregon coast.
Director and Producer: Bryan Smith
Website: www.pacifichorizonfilm.blogspot.com
BEST CANOEING FILM sponsored by Esquif Canoe
River Dumoine: A Paddlers' Journey
Duration: 70 minutes [FESTIVAL VERSION 22 MINUTES]
Year Produced: 2007
Year Released: 2007
A true-life adventure of six paddlers making a classic journey down the Dumoine River in Quebec. The 22-piece soundtrack elevates the magic captured on this magnificent river. This whitewater river film features the last un-dammed river in southern Quebec, the majestic power of a wilderness river and inspires the affection we all have for a canoe adventure on a wild river.
Director and Producer: Tony Buell
Website: www.rivieredumoine.ca
BEST KAYAK FISHING FILM sponsored by Ocean Kayak
Threshers Yak Style
Duration: 40 minutes [FESTIVAL VERSION]
Year Produced: 2004
Year Released: 2005
An instant classic about kayak fishing for thresher sharks off the beaches of Malibu. This film inspires the CPR method of kayak fishing... catch, photograph and release.
Director and Producer: Michael Fowlker
Website: www.insidesportfishing.com
BEST WHITEWATER FILM sponsored by Madawaska Kanu Centre
The Green Race Movie
Duration: 52 minutes [FESTIVAL VERSION]
Year Produced: 2007
Year Released: 2007
The Green Race Movie tells the story of a world-class whitewater race that takes place near Saluda, North Carolina every November. This movie captures the grace and excitement of class V+ kayaking as well as the unique character of the Green River race, a grassroots competition that draws the top athletes in kayaking from around the world.
Director: Chris Gallaway
Producer: Chris Gallaway & Spencer Cook
Website: www.thegreenracemovie.com
