National Paddling Film Festival

01/02/2025

Resolve to get your films and stills submitted to the upcoming National Paddling Film Festival!

The 2025 film & still image submission window is open now until January 17, 2025 at npff.org/submit.

📽️: "Chicas Al Agua" by Liz McGregor, 2024 Film Submission
📸: "Success" by Chris Anderson, 2017 Still Image Winner

12/20/2024

2025 NPFF guests announced! Submit your films and get ready for an awesome NPFF!

Eric Adsit can't cross a bridge without looking for a river beneath it. He grew up in upstate New York where an early introduction to whitewater paddling changed the trajectory of his life. A passion for photography (and later filmmaking) developed out of a keen desire to share the beauty, clarity, and deep friendship he found on the water. After a brush with infamy at Beaverfest, he cut his teeth on New York classics like Fish Creek, the Moose, and the Black with the West Canada Crew before going on to paddle all over North America and in Nepal. With a decade of filmmaking under his belt, Eric believes it's more important than ever to tell stories about the people and places that make the outdoors community so special. He lives in Lake Placid, NY with his wife, Rhiannon Adsit.

Darby McAdams is filmmaker and kayaker from western Montana. Her drive in competitive kayaking has carried over into her approach to production. She has contributed to several award-winning projects, including the short films: A Baffin Vacation, Before I Die, and Paddle Tribal Waters, and the Netflix feature film The River Runner. Darby is committed to raising awareness of environmental issues through her work as a Leader in Environment, Access, and Diversity (LEAD) with Northwest Paddling Supplies. Her latest film, Near The River, was made in collaboration with kayak porters who live and work near the Zambezi River in Africa, as the local community there faces the threat of a mega dam proposal. Outside of production she pursues extreme racing and freestyle kayaking, and recently placed first at the U.S.A. Freestyle Kayaking Team Trials in Columbus, Georgia.

11/13/2024

Submissions are OPEN for film and stills for the 2025 National Paddling Film Festival!

Always FREE to enter!

Go to npff.org today to submit your work.

10/15/2024

Join the National Paddling Film Festival on our mission to support those affected by Hurricane Helene. All you need is an internet connection, a big heart, and $20.

With your contribution, you’ll help us raise funds for organizations providing direct relief to those in need. Plus, you’ll unlock access to a curated selection of films from our past festivals, available until November 30, 2024. Every dollar you give goes straight to those making a difference on the ground.

Turn on, tune in, and help out at npff.org

10/07/2024

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the National Paddling Film Festival is rallying our community to support those in need. For just $20, you can make a difference by helping us fundraise for organizations providing direct relief in the affected areas.

With your contribution, you'll gain access to a curated selection of films from our past festivals, available until November 30, 2024. Every dollar raised will go directly to organizations providing direct relief.

Turn on, tune in, and help out at npff.org

09/20/2024

The 2025 National Paddling Film Festival film & still image submission window is OPEN! Now until Jan. 17, 2025.

Submit your work at npff.org/submit

📸: Gabe DeWitt, "The Entrance of John Bell", 2020 Still Image Submission

04/22/2024

HAPPY EARTH DAY! We are stoked to announce that with the proceeds of NPFF 2024, we've donated approximately $9,500 to river conservation & access organizations across the globe!

Thanks to everyone who showed up, tuned in, submitted film/still images, volunteered or donated. Special thanks to Joe Rea-Dickins, Justin Harris, the West Asheville Canoe &Kayak Org., Deerhammer Distilling Company. Y'all made this possible!
American Whitewater, Yaku Churis, Whitewater New Zealand, Free Rivers Fund, Chattooga Conservancy, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Buena Vista Recreation

02/28/2024

We've climbed out of our hangover, and are super jazzed to share a few snaps from the 2024 National Paddling Film Festival! Big shoutout to Alexandria Smith Photography for capturing most of these beauties!!

Stay tuned this spring when we share a breakdown of where the funds from this year's NPFF were directed, and THANK YOU for your support!

02/26/2024

The 2024 NPFF came to a close over the weekend, but not without one final award...

CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew Dunning for their film "Symphony of the Kings" as it won the VIEWER'S CHOICE AWARD!

If you didn't get a chance to check out "Symphony of the Kings”, remember that you can curate your own NPFF with our roadshows! Andrew’s film + hundreds of others from years past are available to rent throughout the year for your group's fundraiser or project. Details can be found at npff.org/roadshow.

Thanks again to everyone who supported the NPFF this year - we hope to continue this tradition for another 41 years!

02/20/2024

THANK YOU to everyone who supported our festival with a film or still image submission this year, and CONGRATULATIONS to the winners!

Our festival is still running online until this Saturday, 2/24/24. If you'd like on-demand access, please visit npff.org/tix. Our on-demand watch portal contains a link to vote for the Viewer's Choice Award which will be announced after we close the watch portal.

02/18/2024

The sun is setting on our online auction. Get your bids in! Link in bio or on npff.org

02/18/2024

Current mood.

We’ll post a recap of NPFF 2024 (including competition results) soon, but for now - coffee. Thanks for such a great night y’all! It was absolutely one for the books.

02/15/2024

It's a tale of two thrones this weekend...

Who will emerge victorious and claim the seats in this year’s chili cook offs in Frankfort & Fletcher? BRING THE HEAT & find out Saturday (2/17) at the National Paddling Film Festival.

All chili varieties welcome. Tickets & info: npff.org/tix.

02/15/2024

Feast your eyes on the 2024 National Paddling Film Festival schedule for the show this Saturday, February 17, 2024!

Get your tickets now at npff.org/tix.
Liquidlogic KayaksCanoe KentuckySmall World Adventures - Kayaking EcuadorBoone Creek OutdoorsBoone Creek FlyCountry Boy BrewingPyranha KayaksHala GearAmerican WhitewaterRocky Mountain RaftsKokatatUSA Raft Adventure ResortImmersion ResearchDeerhammer Distilling CompanyWhitewater WarehouseNRSAlexandria Smith PhotographyLevel SixFoamie FriendsFlipperFindersWatershed DrybagsEndless River AdventuresNantahala Outdoor CenterArrowhead Bike FarmOskar Blues BreweryAce Kayaking SchoolBetsy Hobkirk ArtRock/CreekLevi Rhodes ArtFeathered FriendsACE Adventure ResortLocals Food Hub & Pizza PubAlpacka RaftAIREHelinox

02/14/2024

We are pretty dang stoked for this! Join us for the premiere of “Freeland: A Blackwater Story” this weekend (Sat., 2/17). Find out how you can attend in-person or online at npff.org.

On Saturday evening Mountain River Media will present its third film, ‘Freeland ~ A Blackwater Story’ at the National Paddling Film Festival . You can view the film by purchasing an online portal ticket at www.npff.org for $5 dollars, supporting this event for future years.

This film has been one of the greatest honors of the Mountain River Media family to tell, and we are grateful to everyone involved. See you on Saturday night from Kentucky.

02/13/2024

Our auction is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC & features several items that ship free - directly to you!! Including this PFD (personal freedom device) from our pals at Rocky Mountain Rafts. So what are you waiting for!? Pump up the adventure, and unlock endless possibilities.

Get your bid in before this beauty is gone - the auction is live, and closes Sun. (2/18): www.auctria.events/2024NPFFAuction

Proceeds donated to river conservation & access organizations.

02/13/2024

Not sure if you’ve heard….

We have a WINNER’S CHOICE (size & color) PYRANHA OZONE in our online auction!! Bid now before it’s gone at npff.org

Big shoutout to Pyranha Kayaks - we love you, thank you!