Local organizations bring Paddling Film Festival to Whitefish

The Flathead Rivers Alliance and the Montana Kayak Academy may have different missions, but both care greatly about the local rivers and getting people aware of their nonprofit work.

In a way to spread awareness about river safety, protecting the rivers and getting more kids out onto the water, the two nonprofit organizations are coming together to present the 18th annual Paddling Film Festival in Whitefish. It will be the first time the film festival has ever screened in Whitefish.

The festival will take place on Sunday, May 14 at the O’Shaughnessy Center. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m., screening several short films ranging from 10 minutes up to 45 minutes in length and an intermission.

According to organizers, the festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year — including whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, rafting, SUP, action and lifestyle around the world. Audiences can expect to witness expert whitewater showcases, motivating environmental documentaries, epic standup paddle boarding quests and grueling kayak fishing battles.

“It will cover everything from really thrilling whitewater to some environmental things to fishing… and some more personally emotional river stories too,” says Joe Basirico with the Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA).

Though the festival surely serves as a great way to meet other river enthusiasts and connect with each other ahead of the summer season, it also will help spread the message of both organizations putting on the event.

The Montana Kayak Academy aims to provide professional kayak instruction for all ages in the community, beginning at age 8. They teach basic fundamentals while emphasizing proper technique, river stewardship and teamwork with a variety of educational opportunities. The academy began in the spring of 2016.

The Flathead Rivers Alliance has a mission to support, protect and enhance the three forks of the Flathead River which is a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River. FRA was formed in 2019 after many noticed the overcrowding and abuse of the local natural resource. Basirico says two years ago over 100,000 people floated the Flathead River on commercial boats.

“It’s a natural resource that’s starting to get threatened by overuse and just frankly abuse of the resources,” Basirico expressed. “So we want to educate people on how to act on the river and how to treat the resource.”

He says that is one of the reasons why the organization wanted to put together the film festival event — not only is it a fundraiser for both FRA and the Montana Kayak Academy, it also is a time to bring more awareness to people about what is happening on the Flathead River.

Both organizations hope to emphasize their nonprofit missions while also kicking off the summer season in a fun way for all river enthusiasts to enjoy. Proceeds from the ticket sales will support the Flathead Rivers Alliance and Montana Kayak Academy. There are also chances to win giveaways and raffle items.

The organizations say this is the first time the World Tour Paddling Film Festival has come to Whitefish, but they hope to make it an annual event.

Tickets are $15 if bought in advance, and $20 at the door on the day of the show. Tickets are available online and at the Sportsman and Ski Haus in Whitefish and Kalispell. Tickets may be available at the door day of the event, but are not guaranteed pending advance ticket sales. For more information on the event, visit www.flatheadrivers.org/events/2023-paddling-film-fest