Paddling Film Festival in Whitefish on April 25

Flathead Rivers Alliance and Montana Kayak Academy presents the 19th annual Paddling Film Festival at O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish on April 25 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

 The Paddling Film Festival is an international adventure film tour presenting the world’s best paddling films of the year – whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP, action and lifestyle – in more than 120 cities and towns across Canada, U.S. and around the world.

With 29 inspiring paddling films shortlisted for the World Tour, including the 11 festival category winners, audiences will see hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries and grueling kayak fishing battles.

Ticket purchases will support the Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA), a nonprofit that promotes river education and stewardship and Montana Kayak Academy, a separate nonprofit that brings free youth paddling instruction opportunities to the Flathead Valley. Tickets cost $15 in advance, found at Sportsmans & Ski Haus in Kalispell and Whitefish and Lary’s Fly & Supply in Columbia Falls through April 24 and they are $20 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.flatheadrivers.org/events.

Attracting paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts, audiences can expect a fun, social and entertaining event inspired by compelling films and opportunities to win incredible raffle prizes like:

Raffle prizes at the film include a Red Eagle Aviation flight to Schafer Meadows in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, a $250 gift card to Backcountry Packraft Rentals, 4 front row reserved seats to Logjam Pinky and the Floyd Concert at Kettlehouse, Abayance Bay War and Treaty Concert plus Tobacco River Ranch Stay Package, an NRS stand-up paddle board, a Kokopelli packraft, a gift certificate to Bedrock Sandals and more.

The Paddling Film Festival World Tour is produced by Rapid Media. For tickets and information visit flatheadrivers.org.