A short documentary about adventurer Emily Ford’s traverse of the Boundary Waters last winter will premiere next week at the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival. The film will also be available to view online for several days as part of the festival.
“A Voice for the Wild” follows Ford and canine companion Diggins for part of their 200-mile trek along what was historically called the “Voyageurs Highway” on the U.S.-Canada border. Ford pulled a 150-pound sled behind her as she skied through challenging conditions last February. The 28-day trip took her from Crane Lake in the west to the Pigeon River in the east, where she encountered early thawing conditions and open water that forced her to end the trip.
In addition to seeking adventure, Ford partnered with the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness to raise money for the organization’s efforts to support young people visiting the wilderness, and to raise awareness about the risks of copper-nickel mining.
“Protecting the Boundary Waters and all wild places depends on people forming a genuine connection with the place. In our increasingly diverse society, we need to make sure people from many different backgrounds can make that connection,” said Pete Marshall, Communications Director for Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and executive producer of the film. “Emily inspires people to do just his. She eloquently speaks to the need all of us have to get outside and to the urgent need to protect our wild spaces.”
The film was directed by Jesse Roessler of Credo Nonfiction and supported by Gayle Knutson.
“A Voice for the Wild” will be available to stream on the Banff Film Festival website from October 29 to November 4. Its live premier will be Saturday, November 5th at the Jenny Belzberg Theatre in Banff, Alberta.