Private Project

Small Town Strength

Grande Prairie, Alberta has a group of athletes, coaches, promoters and commission members who dedicate their time to the growth of mixed martial arts. Small Town Strength delves into the past, present and future of what this sport has to offer.

  • Darryl Haugen
    Director
  • Darryl Haugen
    Producer
  • Kirsten "Kiki" Wiese
    Producer
  • Gier Buterman
    Editor
  • Patrick Nilsson
    Sound
  • Nolan Genoud
    Sound
  • Chiliocosm
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    25 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 4, 2020
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Reel Shorts Film Festival
    Grande Prairie
    Canada
    April 26, 2021
    Canadian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Popcon Film Festival
    Indianopolis, Indiana
    United States
    July 9, 2021
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta
    Edmonton
    Canada
    May 24, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Niagara Canada International Film Festival
    Niagara Falls
    Canada
    May 22, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Fighting Spirit Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 11, 2021
    European Priemere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Darryl Haugen

Darryl is a young aspiring filmmaker who continuously strives to improve her skills and storytelling abilities. Writing and creating content that engages a vast audience is her fundamental dream and goal . Previously, she has had opportunities to work on nine short films in a variety of positions. The Reel Shorts Film Festival started the path of networking and absorbing the knowledge of film makers, where, presently she spends her time as a director on the board and as a volunteer for the programming team. Small Town Strength is her directorial debut and she is currently in the works of creating another documentary based in Alberta.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I directed this short film Small Town Strength to tell another side of a fighter's story. I have many family members who were boxers and martial artists and I have always looked up to them. I eventually joined the Grande Prairie Combative Sports Commission and it was at a fight event that I realized no one sees what happens before the fight. The training, the prepartion, the camaraderie, etc. That is when I knew, I had a story to share. Since, we live in Northern Alberta, there is not alot of representation or recognition for martial arts in our area, but we have world class athletes fighting internationally. Why? Just watch and find out.

It was interesting, to see during 2020 how much a documentary can change. We originally planned following athletes to their fight events, but each event was postponed. It gave us the opportunity to explore another route of telling these athletes stories and showcasing another side completely.