Mountains of Color Film Festival (MOC) showcases and celebrates BIPOC+ (Black, Indigenous, People of Color, + other intersecting minority groups) in outdoors, adventure, and conservation filmmaking to inspire our community and beyond to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive outdoor culture for all. Each evening of films is built from a curated lineup of uplifting and inspiring stories that interweave adventure, the outdoors, and conservation with themes like connection, family, and belonging. Moderated panels featuring select filmmakers and film subjects allow the audience to go deeper.
Saturday’s panelists include: Eric Cedeno (Truth and Dignity); Tony Drees (One for All); Eugene Pak (Riding Han (한)); Anjelica Avella (Forward); Jessa Williams and Tre’lan Michael (Moving Mountains)
Enjoy food by Street Tacos and Dairoku food trucks, and a raffle supporting local nonprofit organizations. Doors open at 6:00 pm, films start at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $10 + $3 processing fee.
The Mountains of Color Film Festival seeks to be accessible and inclusive to all. If you are in need of a free or discounted ticket, you may use codes MOC100 (free) and MOC50 (50% off). If you are able to purchase tickets, please know that you are helping to offset the costs of running the festival, including bringing in BIPOC+ panelists, workshop leads, and filmmakers to enrich our programming.
SATURDAY LINEUP
The Truth and Dignity Project
Director: Will Truettner
Producers: Nick Nelson, Will Truettner
Runtime: 7:28
Description: On July 24th, Erick Cedeno, aka Bicycle Nomad, crossed into St. Louis, Missouri, after spending 41 days in the saddle: The 1900-mile journey born of a commitment to bring truth and dignity to an oft-forgotten part of history. Erick’s ride serves as not only an invitation to learn the story, but also a means of paying homage to the Buffalo Soldiers’ 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps by reliving their history.
Don’t Doubt the Trout
Director: Isabela Zawistowska
Field Producer: Niko Georghiou
Runtime: 13:12
Trailer: Vimeo
Description: Bernard and Rebecca of the band, Par Avion, are not your average surf rock musicians. They're passionate fly fishing anglers and conservationists who are advocating for the protection of California's endangered Steelhead trout. As ambassadors to CalTrout, they've become observers on the ground to document the health of Southern California's waterways, especially around Malibu's 100-ft Rindge Dam, a major obstacle to wildlife. Thanks to the efforts of CalTrout and advocates like Bernard and Rebecca, the Rindge Dam is due to be removed with demolition work planned to begin 2028 and finish in 2035.
One for All
Directors: Michael Stevens, Spencer Miller
Runtime: 19:05
Description: Tony Drees actually considers himself to have “good fortune,” despite being born into an abusive household, surviving the deadliest bombing of the Gulf War, beating cancer, and having his leg amputated up to his hip. After it all, and through his newly found passion for skiing, Tony sets an ambitious goal for this season.
Riding Han (한)
Director: Eugene Pak
Videographer: Young Mazino (BEEF)
Runtime: 24:16
Trailer: Vimeo
Description: Riding Han is an adventure cycling film, with its foundational essence based on the Korean word, “Han” (한). Han is an inherent part of being Korean. It is internalized intergenerational trauma from war, colonialism, and imperialism. Han manifests itself in creation. Riding Han captures the journey of three Korean-Americans, exploring their identities through Han as Asian Americans, in a divisive time during the COVID-19 pandemic with anti-Asian hate on the rise.
Bravo
Director: Bryana Robles
Producers: Zoe Herwitz, Marie-Louise Nkashama
Runtime: 11:31
Trailer: Freeway Film
Description: Xavier Bravo identifies as a queer Chicano climber who dreams of bringing climbing to his Latiné community, and with Escaladores Unidos, he’s creating a movement. After receiving his Single Pitch Instructor certification through the AMGA’s BIPOC affinity program sponsored by Black Diamond, he set out to bridge the climbing gap he noticed in his community. While the Latine & Hispanic community comprises ~20% of the U.S. population, less than 8% identify as climbers, meaning close to 1 million Latiné folxs either have never been exposed to the sport or do not have regular access to climbing. He founded and created the first chapter of Escaladores Unidos to foster connection in the latiné climbing community.
Forward
Director: Palmer Morse
Story Producer: Rachel Weinberg
Producer: Matt Mikkelsen
Director of Photography: Skyler Bocciolatt
Runtime: 16:00
Trailer: Vimeo
Description: While navigating a myriad number of life challenges from being her mom’s care taker, working several jobs, to facing housing insecurity, Anjelica Avella turned to the outdoors in her mid-twenties to improve her mental health. Despite feeling the benefits of time spent outside for her well-being, the lack of other plus-size women of color she was encountering on trail was noticeable. In an effort to form community, Anjelica began leading weekend hikes and trips for other women who too were seeking others with shared lived experiences. Forward chronicles Anjelica’s perspective in a space that has historically excluded individuals like her and shares a profound connection between women who once felt sidelined and are now a catalyst for change.
Moving Mountains
Director: Jessa Williams
Producers: Jessa Williams, Peter Goetz
Runtime: 20:00
Trailer: Instagram
Description: Moving Mountains is a story about Artist & Big Wave Surfer Tre’lan Michael who found himself and found peace and purpose through surfing, and how the healing power of nature saved his life.