National Paddling Film Festival Now in its 20th year, the National Paddling Film Festival (NFPP) moved to a new Lexington, Kentucky, home this February, bringing hun- dreds of paddlers and filmmakers together in the historic Kentucky Theater to enjoy popcorn, Junior Mints, and 25 of the freshest paddling films around.
Georgia filmmaker Milton Aitken walked away with top honours winning both Best in Show/Accomplished and Paddler’s Choice for his film The Paddlesnake Hunters, which fea- tures gnarly whitewater footage from all over the southeastern U.S. Not to be outdone by the local favourite, German Olaf Obsommer scored a Best in Show/Professional for Pain Killers 2, while Washington’s Thomas O’Keefe took home top amateur honours for Washington Whitewater: A Little Backyard FUN.
Other Best in Show winners included Vince
Shay for The Search 2: More Paddlesurf Chronicles, a documentary about one group’s work to promote the sport of paddle surfing, and Fast Track to Kayaking for Beginners, Sam Drevo’s instructional entry for novice boaters. Photographer Karyn Roy won for Best Paddling Image.
Legendary expedition boater Scott Lindgren stopped by on Saturday night to screen a 60- minute documentary about his recent trip through Tibet’s Tsangpo Gorge and take ques- tions from the audience. Lindgren’s group suc- cessfully completed the first descent of the world’s deepest gorge last year. The last few years have seen more and more
mainstream attention paid to “action sports” films like the NPFF entries. For some, it’s great publicity, while others are concerned that the focus on waterfall drops and endless carnage is damaging the sport’s naturalist image. The jury is still out on the future of whitewater, but one thing is clear: paddling films are here to stay. And if the 2003 festival was any indication, the fans think that’s just fine.
—Tim Sprinkle 2003 Early Summer 15
photo Tim Sprinkle
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