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Trail Running Film Festival Partners with Runners For Public Lands for 2024 Film Selection

Olympia, Washington – The Trail Running Film Festival (TRFF) is pleased to announce its partnership with Runners for Public Lands (RPL) for the selection of the 2024 Global Film Tour. The partnership between TRFF and RPL underscores the nonprofits’ joint commitment to values of inclusivity, creativity, diversity, and adventure. 

Leading this effort, RPL established a Film Selection Committee and completed a film review process, ensuring representation from the rich tapestry of the trail running community. 

Mathias Eichler, Executive Director of the Trail Running Film Festival notes, “We are thrilled to join forces with Runners for Public Lands for the 2024 Trail Running Film Festival’s Film Selection process. Their dedication to inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and community resonates deeply with our mission. Together, we have curated a lineup of films that not only inspire but also reflect the diverse voices and values of the trail running community.” 

This effort aimed to shape an inclusive and diverse set of trail running stories. We were privileged to collaborate with esteemed leaders from backgrounds in the outdoor and film industries, as well as the nonprofit sector, who share our commitment to inclusive and innovative storytelling. The Film Selection Committee convened December 2023, with recommendations presented to the Trail Running Film Festival February 2024. 

Kathleen Baker, Managing Director of RPL, highlights the importance of this initiative, stating, “RPL is committed to working toward our vision for running to be a sport where everyone feels like they belong, landscapes are protected and celebrated for their ecological, cultural, and recreational value, and that all runners are represented and have an influential voice in outdoor recreation and the environmental movement.”

The 2024 TRFF Film Selection Committee was co-led by Vic Thasiah, Founder and Co-President of the Board of Directors at RPL, and Kathleen Baker, Managing Director of RPL.

Members of the Film Selection Committee included:

• Verna Volker – Native Women Running
• Nicole Amyx – Documentary Filmmaker and Editor and TRFF board member
• Zachary Friedley – Athlete and Executive Director, Mendocino Movement
• Alison Marie Désir – Athlete, Activist, and Author of Running While Black
• Wookie Kim – Legal Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi
• Nick Danielson – Filmmaker and TRFF board member
• Laura Cortez – Athlete and Co-Leader of Trailtinos
• John Meadows – Salomon, Director of Business Development – Run Specialty and RPL Board of Directors
• Stephen Efner – Executive Committee, RPL Board of Directors

For those interested in hosting a screening of the 2024 production reel, further information and scheduling details can be found at trailfilmfest.com/host.

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