The Trail Running Film Festival 2024

The local trail running community has been very good to us over the last 7 years and we can't possibly express our gratitude. It is for this reason, that we are thrilled to be able to put on this free event as a small token of our appreciation.

Happy Trails Racing and the Tailgate Night Runners are very proud to present The Trail Running Film Festival. The event will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Marydale Park (5999 Chippewa Road, Mount Hope, ON, L0R 1W0) under the gazebo. Please bring your own chair! If the weather isn't agreeable, we will move it indoors at the same location.

This is an absolutely FREE event but you must have a ticket to get in. Tickets are limited and, even though they are free, please don't order them unless you fully plan on attending as you will be taking the spot of someone that would like to attend.

There will also be free pizza and non-alcoholic beverages being served up.

There are 8 short films and the event will be approximately 2 hrs in total including a short intermission. The films look really good this year- we are super excited!

The gate will open at 6:30pm and the films will start at 7:30pm. There are washrooms on site. More details will be provided in late April through a pre-event email.

THE TRAIL RUNNING FILM FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL 2024 FILM SELECTION

Izta

Directed by Rabbitwolf Creative

Duration: 10 minutes

Laura Cortez is a trail runner born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. In an effort to further discover the land and culture that shaped the generations before her, Laura set out to establish an FKT on a route from the city of Amecameca to the summit of Iztaccíhuatl.

Know To Run: Yatika

Directed by Jordan Marie Whetstone, Devin Whetstone

Duration: 10 minutes

Know to Run focuses on themes of “what are land acknowledgements” and the inclusion of local Indigenous communities being part of the trail running community, making running and outdoor spaces more accessible and equitable.

Red Needle

Directed by Dom Bush and Simon Sylvester

Duration: 6 minutes

Ultra-runner Sarah Gerrish lost one ovary to cancer at 15 and the second to surgery at 36. Red Needle explores the stigma, trauma and lessons learned from Sarah’s life-changing experience as she uses trail running to help her on her journey.

Brian Reynolds: The Leadville Trail 100

Directed by Michael Grasela

Duration: 16 minutes

Brian Reynolds is a double amputee below the knee athlete who grew up overcoming many challenges in his life but never had a role model he could look up to. In this film, Brian attempts the famous Leadville 100 Ultra Trail Marathon out in Colorado in order to advocate for all para athletes that nothing is impossible.

Run Like a Kid

Directed by Guy Tucker

Duration: 1 minute

This short film explores what running means to one child and reveals lessons all runners can take to the trail.

Girls Run Ultras

Directed by Ellie Windham and Christine Rivera

Duration: 15 minutes

A journey that follows the all women's running collective, Girls Run NYC as they push themselves individually and unitedly collectively through The Black Canyon Ultra Marathon in 2022.

Well Worn Life with Dani Reyes-Acosta

Directed by Daniel Mitchell and Trent Sugg

Duration: 6 minutes

Dani Reyes-Acosta is a mountain athlete, land cultivator, and storyteller whose path consistently seeks the limits of her possibility. Dani is a visceral example of how self-care and self-determination can harmonize via the outdoors.

Now

Directed by Steven Mortinson

Duration: 20 minutes

Long-time ultrarunner Yassine Diboun confronts the shadows and turmoil of his past while preparing to take on the Hardrock 100.