The Best of MountainFilm. 26 Films. One Epic Day.
Saturday, March 21
Experience the very best films from Mountainfilm on Tour in one unforgettable day at the SCA. Saugatuck is fortunate to be one of the few places in the country selected to host films from Telluride’s renowned Mountainfilm Festival, bringing world-class documentary storytelling to our lakeshore community. Three curated screening sessions, with generous breaks between each, make it easy to turn this into a full-day adventure. Enjoy lunch on-site, or explore the restaurants, shops, and scenery of the Saugatuck area between shows. Come for a film, stay for the day.
Best Value
All-Access Pass
Your $85 ticket to a full day of film, adventure, and experiencing Saugatuck/Douglas includes:
- Admission to all 3 sessions, totaling 26 films.
- Complimentary coffee and treats available from Woosah.
- Private tour of the gallery exhibition. following the Playlist 2 screening.
- Free drink ticket for 1 beverage at the SCA bar.
- Enter to win a gift package of swag including an Osprey backpack branded with the Mountainfilm logo.
MountainFilm Teaser Video
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Screening 1: Indomitable Spirit
Celebrating those who refuse to give up, blending heart-pounding action with quiet, meaningful moments to reveal inspiration in every challenge.
10:30 AM
Introduction
Shanti Rides Shotgun
Director: Charles Frank
Duration: 8 mins
On Manhattan’s jam-packed streets, New York City’s most iconic driving instructor prepares students to navigate the road ahead. With a brash attitude and a 99% drivers test pass rate for her students, Shanti Gooljar is the most-requested instructor at the Empire State Driving School.
Saving Super Man
Director(s): Adam Oppenheim, Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
Duration 11 mins
In a small suburb outside of Chicago lives Jonathan, a 57-year-old man with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), also known as “Superman.” Known for his heroic actions, Jonathan is a revered member of the Glen Ellyn community and has been a staple in the 4th of July Parade for nearly 30 years. Jonathan’s living circumstances become
threatened, and his community comes together when Superman needs saving.
The Changebaker
Director: Courtney Dixon
Duration 16 mins
Manolo Betancur immigrated to the U.S. to chase the American Dream and escape the horrors of war in Colombia, where he was a captain in the Army. He uses nightmares of the past to fuel his mission to create jobs for fellow immigrants at his bakery in North Carolina. But after a string of ICE raids, the shop has become something more than just a trendy local spot for baked goods. It has become a hub for local activism, and a symbol of hope and resilience for the community. A sign hangs proudly at Betancur’s door for all to see: “Made in America by the Hands of Immigrants.”
Whispers
Directors: Josh Fairmont, Oliver Smith
Duration: 6 mins
Whispers is an exploration of the deep connection between skiers and the mountains, capturing the raw intensity and quiet beauty that draw us back year after year. The film showcases the magic of skiing long after the crowds have gone, where the glow of headlamps cuts through the darkness, snowflakes shimmer under moonlight and every turn feels otherworldly.
11:20 AM
Intermission
Enjoy complimentary coffee and delicious treats available for purchase from Woosah.
Tiger
Director: Loren Waters
Duration: 13 mins
Dana Tiger (Muscogee/Seminole/Cherokee) was just five years old when her father, legendary Muscogee Creek artist Jerome Tiger, passed away. She turned to his art as a way to know him, the richness of her culture and her family’s artistic tradition. After the family T-shirt printing business was derailed by tragedy, Dana and her family work for years through their grief to revitalize the iconic Tiger T-shirt company. Now, everybody wants to get their hands on a Tiger.
and again.
Director: Wiley Kaupas
Duration: 10 mins
Iconic freestyle skier and Winter X Games champion Bobby Brown struggles to hold onto his identity after being sidelined by two injuries. Brown learns to give up the grind as he transitions to the next chapter where he is grateful for small moments and a life that still includes skiing.
The Life We Have
Director: Sam Price-Waldman
Duration: 24 mins
What would you do if death felt just steps away? For Rob Shaver, who has faced multiple stage-four cancer recurrences over the past two decades — death has felt like an ever-present shadow. The Life We Have captures Shaver’s resilience, wisdom and deep appreciation for life, as he navigates his latest battle with the disease.
GOOCHIE
Directors: Cole Bernier, Adam Price
Duration: 3 mins
Adaptive mountain biking has been gaining traction worldwide over the past few years, but its true potential is just getting started. Filmed at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park in British Columbia, Canada on the unceded territories of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation, Goochie spreads the stoke about a growing sport that’s rewriting the rules of the trail.
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Slow Flow Movement
Get your body moving after the morning session! Join 2026 SCA Creative Fellow, Heather Winia for a guided movement series incorporating dance, stretching, and playfulness.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch on-site from the Kitchen 55 food truck, or explore downtown Saugatuck for walkable dining options.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Screening 2: Big Green World
Step into a Big Green World and explore rich cultures, traditions, and environments through the power of film, celebrating the outdoors, wildlife, and a better future for all.
2:00 PM
Introduction
Beyond Beliefs
Director: Quamae Hall
Duration: 5 mins
A young woman from Cleveland, Ohio earns a scholarship to attend a four-day river trip through the wild Green River’s Gates of Lodore Canyon. The only catch? She doesn’t know how to swim and is terrified of water. Join Danielle and her peers on this wonderful journey, and bear witness to her inspiring first-hand account of what it took to go beyond her beliefs about water, and how that expanded the vision for her future.
Earthworks
Director: Rachel Ross
Duration: 5 mins
Ceramicist Kim Hall draws similarities between her craft and her favorite hobby: desert rock climbing. Earthworks takes viewers on a visual journey into the parallel process of carefully placing gear in cracks and meticulously crafting a piece of functional art.
Brothers of the Sea
Directors: Ethan Edmunds, Armin Korsos
Duration: 4 mins
Bernardo and Diego lived what many would call a dream — surfing perfect waves and being deeply connected to the ocean. However, they also endured immense hardship and were forced to grow up fast after being abandoned by their parents at a young age. Watching the brothers grow from orphans to loving fathers is a journey that challenges us to rethink what success truly means.
Let My People Go Skiing
Director: Ellen Bradley
Duration: 18 mins
Confronted with the frustration of false narratives and intergenerational trauma that surround her, Tlingit skier and scientist Ellen Bradley (Tlingit) returns to her traditional homelands in Southeast Alaska. Weaving ancestral knowledge, scientific understanding and passion for her sport, Let My People Go Skiing follows Bradley’s journey to help her community reclaim its place at the forefront of the stories told about their homelands. By dismantling barriers to snowsports for Alaska Native youth, she empowers a generation in hopes that the mountains can teach them what it will take to endure the fight to protect their culture, language and home forever.
Momo
Director: Michael Schwartz
Duration: 2 mins
From the humble beginnings of a small African village to the dazzling heights of Cirque du Soleil, Momo shares the story of a man who defied gravity and destiny. This short film is a celebration of resilience and the magic of flight, where Momo doesn’t just perform — he transcends.
Jackson Goldstone – Solo
Director: Scott Secco
Duration: 3 mins
When he’s not turning heads trackside, Jackson Goldstone can be found turning trails into his own personal playground. While his 9-to-5 is piloting his Syndicate V10 downhill bike down heinous tracks in pursuit of podium glory, he absolutely loves to get out on his local trails, floating through North Vancouver’s iconic North Shore trails.
3:00 PM
Intermission
Cash bar open during this time.
Adaptive Avalanche –
Inclusive Outdoors Project
Inclusive Outdoors Project
Directors: Vasu Sojitra, Dani Aravich
Duration: 7 mins
The Inclusive Outdoors Project’s Adaptive Avalanche Recreation Level 1 course brings together adaptive skiers and snowboarders and avalanche professionals to offer hands-on avalanche safety training for those with disabilities. Set in the expansive backcountry of Cooke City, Montana, Adaptive Avalanche highlights how adaptive athletes build expertise, brainstorm new ideas that work for each individual and gain confidence to navigate snow-covered terrain, demonstrating the importance of making backcountry spaces safer and more welcoming for everyone.
This is a Story About Salmon
Director: Princess Daazhraii Johnson
Duration: 7 mins
As traditional salmon fishing comes under threat, Alaskan Native subsistence communities join together to support one another, heal and deliver a powerful testimony to their resilience and resistance.
Arctic Alchemy
Directors: Colin Arisman, Zeppelin Zeerip
Duration: 25 mins
Arctic Alchemy follows renowned Alaskan adventurer and climate scientist Roman Dial
and his team on a 112-mile research expedition above the Arctic Circle. Traveling by packraft and foot through Alaska’s mighty Brooks Range, their goal is to find the source of a mysterious phenomenon poisoning watersheds in the Arctic. Along the journey, Dial reckons with fatherhood, personal tragedy and the power of wilderness to both break us and bring us fully alive.
One Inch From Flying
Directors: Taylor Humphrey, Jim Aikman
Duration: 4 mins
In One Inch from Flying, a young climber grapples with the complexity of modern life, and celebrates the sense of balance he gets from carefully navigating highlines while rigging and walking an alpine highline in Washington’s North Cascades.
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Slow Flow Movement
Get your body moving after the morning session! Join 2026 SCA Creative Fellow, Heather Winia for a guided movement series incorporating dance, stretching, and playfulness.
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Private Gallery Tour*
Enjoy a private tour of the SCA Gallery with Whitney Valentine, Director of Education & Exhibitions.
(*Available for “All-Access Pass” ticket buyers only)
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Break
Explore Saugatuck and Douglas’ shops, galleries, and dining options, enjoy a bite to eat, and return at 6:00 PM for happy hour.
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Screening 3: The Medley
Motivation and moments of awakening can emerge in unexpected places, and this curated medley of short films invites viewers into intrigue through laughter, reflection, and tear-filled silence.
6:00 PM
Happy Hour
Enjoy film-inspired snacks by Chef Mindy Trafman in the SCA lobby and a cash bar, with live music from the Michigan Academy of Folk Music.
(Included with “Playlist 3” and “All-Access Pass” ticket buyers only.)
7:30 PM
Introduction
Bridgers
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
Eliot Jackson – Drop the Mic
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
Pastrana
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
Center Punch |
San Juan Splitboarding
San Juan Splitboarding
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
8:10 PM
Intermission
Cash bar open during this time.
Your Opinion, Please
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
Dynasty and Destiny
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
First In, Last Out
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
Strike – Mary Rand
Director: Charles Frank
On Manhattan’s crowded streets, brash and brilliant driving instructor Shanit Gooljar prepares nervous students for the road ahead, boasting a remarkable 99% driving test pass rate.
Make It a Getaway: Stay the Night in Saugatuck/Douglas
Turn your visit into a relaxing overnight escape. Local inns, boutique hotels, and B&Bs are offering special lodging packages for guests—so you can enjoy the films and make the most of your time exploring Saugatuck’s dining, shopping and lakeshore charm.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
Premiere
Gold
Roberta + Jack Deyo
Bronze
Kirsten + Gordon Stannis
