Imagine standing at the headwaters of a river, where it begins its journey outward to join other waters and eventually reach a distant ocean. Just as a river branches and braids, our life stories also distinguish us and draw us together. Created to launch The Canadian Canoe Museum at its new home on the shore of the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, the short film Headwaters invites visitors into a world where paddled watercraft are not merely artifacts but vessels of memory, identity and connection.

Director: Jessica Melnik, Impact Communications | Producers: Carolyn Hyslop, Jeremy Ward

Yak is a former pro guide and expert kayaker who became a paraplegic after a canyoning accident. Can packrafting give him the freedom to run rivers again? And how will he fare in the thundering Class III rapids of the Upper Buller Gorge? The film also asks whether packrafting can open the sport to an even more diverse range of people who want to run rivers.

Director: Dylan Gerschwitz | Producer: Deane Parker

For over a decade, Niki Choo dreamed of a big canoe trip. When she finally meets the right partner, they take on a 1,000-mile journey from the Pacific to the Arctic testing their endurance, their bond and the limits of what’s possible.

Director: Whit Hassett

Winner of Best Canoeing Film 2026 sponsored by Esquif

On February 17, 2026 Niki Choo was killed in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe. The showing of this film is dedicated to her memory.

The Upper Gauley River is legendary throughout the whitewater world and the words "I'm an Upper Gauley Guide" give you instant street cred. The path to becoming a Gauley guide is not quick or easy. It takes years of flips, swims, early mornings, late nights, swiftwater training and guide ejections to get to where smooth lines through class V rapids are the norm. Gauley Guide follows Michael Anderson as he works to become an Upper Gauley guide.

Director: Logan Bockrath

Join adventurers Erik and Sarah on yet another epic Baffin Vacation as they kite ski north along the remote coastline of Baffin. Over their 69 day holiday, they ski mountains, climb an epic big wall, and cross a glacier in search of new rivers to whitewater kayak.

Directors: Rush Sturges, Skip Armstrong | Producers: Rush Sturges, Erik Boomer, Sarah McNair-Landry

Winner of Best Adventure Travel Film 2026 sponsored by Kokopelli