By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The Friends of the Blackwater are hosting the 21st Annual Backcountry Film Fest Friday, February 20th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Whitegrass. The Backcountry Film Fest is presented by the Winter Wonderlands Alliance, as part of its nationwide tour through mountain communities.
According to Friends of the Blackwater member Loki Kern, the group has been hosting the film festival since nearly the beginning.
“We’ve been doing the film festival for a while,” Kern said. “Its been a time honored tradition. Its always fun at Whitegrass.”
Kern said that during the showing there will be an intermission, as well as a raffle by the Friends of the Blackwater. Kern said it is an event that is close to his heart.
“It was actually the first event I kind of helped to organize when I started at Friends of Blackwater, about a year ago, now,” Kern said.
Kern said he expects both locals and visitors from out of state to attend the event. While prior purchase is not required and tickets will be available at the door, Kern said it was strongly advised to purchase tickets ahead of time to allow the Friends of the Blackwater to have an idea of headcount for the kitchen.
“Since its inception, the festival has toured across states, countries – even Antartica – screening hundreds of inspiring films that celebrate adventure, conservation and the magic of winter,” the festival’s site declares.
The festival raises money to support local projects that strengthen winter communities and protect wild snowscapes. Over its 21 years, the festival has raised millions in support of its efforts, the festival’s site said.
The 21st Annual Backcountry Film Fest will feature 10 short documentary and ski films that transport audiences straight to the heart of winter” through “Adventure, love, travel, ski, culture, ice, pain, friendship, and DEEP POWDER” the site promised.
This year’s film selections include:
“A Baffin Vacation, Love on Ice,” a 26:15 minute film by Skip Armstrong, Rush Sturgis, Erik Boomer and Sarah McNair-Landry. “Join one couple’s adventure love story and witness what dating might look like if you’re both a little crazy and love hardcore winter adventures.”
“Ridge to River,” a 12:23 minute film by Steven Gnam. “A story from one of Winter Wildlands Alliance grassroots groups in the North Cascades, Friends of Mission Ridge, about how a community’s love of a place has inspired a growing collaboration to protect the ridge from too much development.”
“Let My People Go Skiing,” a Snowlands Network Environmental Storytelling Award Winner (2025), a 17:28 minute film by Kakéin Shee Ellen Bradley. “Kakéin Shee Ellen Bradley leaves the city and travels home to ski on her ancestral lands in Alaska.”
“Polar,” a Backcountry Film Festival Jury Award Winner (2025), a 10:50 minute film by Robert Pallin Aaring and Rasmus Bjerken. “One crazy Norwegian skier’s unique approach to balancing fatherhood and finding epic lines.”
“Descents to Dunes,” a 3:58 film by Anthony Cupaiuolo and Claire Hewitt Demeyer. “A fun film about two friends finding turns wherever they can when the snow is low and the stoke is high.”
“40 Years On The Trail,” a 5:26 film by Evan Kay. “In the Green Mountains, a passionate group of snowscape conservationists spent 40 years partnering with different landowners across Vermont to establish the longest cross country ski trail in the United States.”
“Shaped By Ice,” a 5:57 film by Dan McComb. “Brings to life the power that art and community can play in communicating the data and science of how our wild snowscapes are changing at alarming rates.”
“Adaptive Avalanche,” a 7:22 minute film by Vasu Sojitra and Dani Aravich. “Winter Wildlands Alliance Ambassador, Vasu Sojitra and friends head to Cooke City, Montana, to redefine travel access in backcountry avalanche terrain.”
Uncharted: The White Continent,” a 5:41 minute film by Tamara Susa. “This film comes from one of Winter Wildlands Alliance proud Snowschool supporters, Ice Axe Expeditions, about the rare experience of skiing in Antarctica alongside penguins and seals.”
“Going Home,” a 12:16 minute film by Anna Tedesco and Kylie Zarmati. “A vagabond story of 4 rad ladies exploring the marvels of Alaska and deepening their love for the friendship-fueled, human-powered adventures that sustain us all.”
Tickets are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples. All proceeds will stay local to support the Friends of the Blackwater’s conservation efforts in the region, according to the Friends of the Blackwater.
This date will be the only showing in West Virginia for the Festival.
