The first-ever Fresh Coast Film Festival takes place October 13-16, 2016 in Marquette. It’s a documentary film festival celebrating the outdoor lifestyle, water-rich environment and resilient spirit of the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest. The festival will bring together the best in adventure cinema from around the world while creating a venue and building a culture of Great Lakes storytelling.

For filmmakers and students Fresh Coast will mean an opportunity to interact with environmental thinkers, outdoors athletes and media professionals working in the outdoors industry. Who you know is as important as what you know and Fresh Coast is THE place in the Midwest to connect.

The lineup of films looks great – here’s a few of those with a distinctly Michigan angle that we’re particularly excited about!

• Lake Michigan in a Dugout is a documentary about two women’s journey around Lake Michigan aboard their handmade dugout sailing canoe, an adventure that would ultimately take them over 1,200 miles in 93 days!
• North Country Dreamland features a name that followers of Absolute Michigan and Michigan in Pictures are doubtless familiar with: the incredible Shawn Malone of Lake Superior Photo. This short is a beautiful exploration of the UP’s stunning night skies.
• Predator/Prey: The Fight for Isle Royale Wolves is a beautifully shot film focusing on the debate over Isle Royale’s dwindling population of wolves, which initially came to the island over a frozen Lake Superior five decades or more ago.
• Skips Stones for Fudge tells the story of competitive stone skippers Russ “Rock Bottom” Byars and Kurt “Mountain Man” Steiner. (see trailer on the right)

A key component of the Fresh Coast experience will be guided outdoor activities to introduce visitors to the outdoor playground of the Marquette area. Rock climbing, fly fishing, sea kayaking, waterfall hikes and mountain bike rides will all be offered as part of the Fresh Coast weekend.

Things kick off on Thursday with a food truck rally and some free films at the Marquette Commons. Click for the full schedule!

top photo: Paddling Home by Amy