National Paddling Film Festival 2025
Saturday, February 15, 2025 | 4 - 10p ET
“Big Bro Ice Fly” by Mitch Sheridan, 2024 Still Image Winner
Congratulations NPFF 2025 winners!
Winner, Best Amateur Film
“Nantahala Cascades” by Kathleen Thompson
Winner, Best Accomplished Film
“The Grand Salmon” by Ripple Skip Collective/ Jess Wiegandt
Winner, Best Professional Film | Best of Show
“¡Ay Chihuahua!" by Ben Stookesberry and Erik Boomer
Winner, Best Paddling Image
“Spiritual” by Mitch Sheridan
Featuring filmmaker, Darby McAdams
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.
Featuring filmmaker, Eric Adsit
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.
2025 Still Image Submissions
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Ski raft-aneering
Jule Carle
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Russell Fork Rendezvous
Zack Hamilton
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Memories of a Wild River
David House
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Fishing the Noli
David House
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Oh Gauley
David House
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Flitting with Disaster
Yann Crest-Evans
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Houndstooth Saloon
Yann Crist-Evans
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Gorilla Before Helene
Corey Hoppenrath
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Charging Ahead
Corey Hoppenrath
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Cheoah Fun
Corey Hoppenrath
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Spiritual
Mitch Sheridan
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King of the Little White
Mitch Sheridan
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Bailey Boofin'
Drew Hardie
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Susna Daydream
Emily Grimes
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Ocoee Air King
Paul Parsons
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Sunrise on the Kaituna - Rotorua
Rod Hill
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Bombing Huka Falls
Rod Hill
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George Snook Free Wheeling
Rod Hill
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The Big Kahuna
Paul Parsons
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Boofin' the Bear
Paul Parsons
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Dreamscape
Angi Hansen
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Where's the Takeout
Angi Hansen
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Serenity
Angi Hansen
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It's Just Kayaking
Grant Braun
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It's Just Kayaking 2
Grant Braun
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It's Just Kayaking 3
Grant Braun
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Erin Buzuvis-Moose-2024
Ann Gillard
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Sollie Hirsch-Taylorville-2024
Ann Gillard
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Carrie Hood-Eagle-2023
Ann Gillard
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Thomas First Ocoee Day
Brandon Thompson
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Open Boater on ELF Cheoa
Brandon Thompson
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Laurel Fork of the Cherry
Brandon Thompson
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Canyon Chorus 1
Mikah Meyer
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Canyon Chorus 2
Mikah Meyer
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Canyon Chorus 3
Mikah Meyer
2025 Venues
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The Capital Plaza Hotel | Frankfort, KY
Entry into the main NPFF event at Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort, KY on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 4-10pm EST.
View all 2025 submissions on-demand from February 8 - February 22, 2025.
This in-person event features our famous chili cook-off, a chance to view items in the online auction, vendor booths, theatre style viewing of films & guest speakers, and last but certainly not least …frothy beverages!
405 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY 40601
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LiquidLogic Warehouse | Fletcher, NC
Entry into the live satellite event taking place on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 4-10pm EST in Fletcher, NC at The Big Adventures/ LiquidLogic Warehouse.
This event is hosted by the West Asheville Canoe & Kayak Organization (AKA the WACKOs) and will feature lots of exciting things!
210 Old Airport Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
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Online Only
View all 2025 submissions on-demand from February 8 - February 22, 2025 & watch the livestream of our main event on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Don’t skip a beat with our online auction, powered by American Whitewater!
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Deerhammer Distillery | Buena Vista, CO
Our pals at Deerhammer Distillery in Buena Vista, CO will be hosting an NPFF watch party from 2 - 8p MT on Saturday, February 15, 2025. No entry fee. Percentage of proceeds go to the NPFF, then American Whitewater & BV River Park.
321 East Main St., BV, CO