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.
Sunday’s panelists include: Sandy Ward (Slides on the Mountain); Alexandera Houchin (Stronger Together); and Lael Johnson (Visibility)
Enjoy food by Rosa’s Tamales 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.
SUNDAY LINEUP
Renegade
Director: German Torres
Producers: Abdul Kassamali, Davis Goslin
Runtime: 9:14
Trailer: Freeway Film
Description: Renegade Running, founded by Victor Diaz, is an inclusive run specialty store in Oakland, CA. Bucking the norms of the industry, Diaz’s journey with running and his fierce determination led him to create a vibrant and rebellious space, where every runner, especially those often underrepresented, can find a home and be celebrated for who they are. No rules, no judgments – just pure running freedom and support.
Beyond the Salish
Director: Richard Chen, William Chong
Producer: Merissa Mah
Runtime: 17:57
Description: Two kayakers take on a once-in-a-lifetime journey off the Pacific Coast of Vancouver Island, breaching into relentless waves, unpredictable weather, and the uncharted depths of their own fears. The duo finds themselves in a life-altering struggle against the elements. As their journey unfolds, a near-death experience forces them to confront the raw power of the open ocean, pushing the boundaries of their friendship, endurance, and luck.
Slides on the Mountain
Director: Seth Gillis
Producers: Sandy Ward, Aline Mayerhoffer
Runtime: 29:46
Description: Two young brothers from the Lil'wat Nation set out to ski the sacred mountain they were raised beneath, pushing both themselves and their culture to evolve.
Stronger Together // Identity and Endurance with Alexandera Houchin
Director: Brandon Watts
Producers: David Thomas, Isaac Presson
Runtime: 19:42
Trailer: N/A
Description: It has taken time for Alexandera Houchin to weave layers of her identity together. First and foremost, Alexandera is an Ojibwe woman. She’s also an artist, a farmer, a mechanic, a cyclist and a person who cares deeply about her community on the Fond Du Lac reservation near Cloquet, Minnesota. “Stronger Together” takes an intimate look into Alexandera’s life while examining concepts of identity, forgiveness and what it means to merge seemingly different aspects of your soul in order to continue moving forward, one pedal stroke at a time.
Visibility
Director and Producer: Tyler Soares
Assistant Editor: Alexandra Soares
Stills Photography: Arian Stevens
Runtime: 15:11
Description: Lael Johnson, Steelhead guide, navigates Washington waters while unpacking challenges faced throughout his youth and present day
Keepers of the Land
Director: Deirdre Leowinata, Douglas Neasloss
Producers: Deirdre Leowinata, Douglas Neasloss
Runtime: 28:28
Trailer: Vimeo
Description: In the heart of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, one Nation is reclaiming the power they held for millennia. As the impacts of colonial exploitation and mismanagement take an increasing toll on their territory, the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation finds strength in its stories and culture, emerging as a stewardship leader in a new age of reconciliation in Canada. A powerful story of resurgence, the weight of hereditary leadership, and the responsibility they carry into the modern world told through the eyes of elder and hereditary chief Nismuutk, Ernest Mason Jr., and the new young leaders following in his footsteps.