Waterwalker Film Festival

Paddle Canada’s Waterwalker Film Festival is a tribute to the late Bill Mason, a great conservationist, canoeist, and filmmaker who cared passionately about his work and the wilderness. He wanted to share its beauty and to promote its protection. As he once said, "Film is for me a means of expressing my feelings about the things I enjoy, things I am concerned about, mostly the natural world".

The Waterwalker Film Festival came together following Mason's death to help continue his vision. We hope, through this festival, to raise public awareness and support for wilderness conservation by celebrating these films from around the world on canoeing, kayaking, safety, conservation, and protection of our waterways.

Our mission is to provide an accessible and affordable film festival that paddle lovers across North America can offer to their local communities. Our host fees are very low and with proceeds supporting our Bill Mason Memorial Scholarship fund.

Note that all of our categories are PASSWORD PROTECTED and have a small fee ($2). This is in an attempt to limit irrelevant submissions.

The password is the same as the discount code used to get a free submission. To figure it out we have a quiz that every legit paddling filmmaker will guess right away. It is: the object (typically) made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe (or other craft) through the water.

Waterwalker has never offered cash prizes. However, we do offer awards in the following categories:
- Canadian Location
- Raft
- River Kayak
- Documentary
- Adventure
- Inspirational
- Canoe
- Education
- Shorts
- Best Envrionmental
- Sea Kayak
- SUP
- Amateur

Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified.

ENTRY PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS
Please make certain that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms as outlined below before submitting your film entry.
• An entry will consist of a download link to an HD version of your film
• Entries can be of any duration in length and can be narrative, story, animated, or experimental art form.
‣If possible, entries should have a “Festival Cut” version (up to 20 minutes in length) of a “Feature” Film length (over 45 minutes), as most WWFF are shown in an evening event. However, a limited number of feature films will be selected.
‣Host groups may show a shorter version/edit of an entry to meet their clients' needs for the Tour.
• All entries MUST be accompanied by a brief (75 word maximum) summary of the film.
• The “Short Film” category should be no longer than 8 minutes.
• Entries can be submitted by professional or amateur filmmakers.
• Filmmakers from any country may enter, but foreign language entries must be accompanied by an English translation.
• All music rights MUST be cleared before submission to the Festival Committee.
• Past entries may be resubmitted. Priority will be given to new entries for Category winners.
• All entries will be viewed by the Festival Committee. Finalist films chosen by the Festival Committee are eligible to go on the festival tour.
• Please supply some photos for promotional purposes.
• The Festival Committee may use excerpts and photos of the entries for promotional purposes.
• All film entries will be notified and winners announced approximately 3 weeks after closing date.
• Entries will be copied by the Festival Committee for simulcast purposes on the Festival Tour.
• Winners will receive an exclusive right to use “Waterwalker Winner” logo in their own marketing.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Richard Alexander

Outstanding festival. I love that this festival's profits go to fund scholarships for youth in the outdoor and environmental fields. Great service.

May 2023

Helpful
David Rohm

Excellent!!! great people to work with.

May 2022

Helpful
Yossi Galanti

It was an honor to take part in this festival. Great communication and more!

May 2021

Helpful
Steve Mackay

Awesome Festival, shame we could not attend in person this year but fantastic event!

May 2021

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

December 1, 2022
Opening Date
February 1, 2023
Earlybird Deadline
March 1, 2023
Regular Deadline
June 18, 2023
Late Deadline
August 31, 2023
Notification Date
October 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Canadian Location
Best paddling film featuring a Canadian Location. Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Rafting
Best paddling film about rafting Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
River Kayaking
Best paddling film featuring Sea Kayaking Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Sea Kayaking
Best paddling film featuring Sea Kayaking Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Documentary (Paddle activities only: SUP, sea/river kayak, canoe, raft, etc.)
Best paddling documentary Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Adventure (Paddle activities only: SUP, sea/river kayak, canoe, raft, etc.)
Best Adventure paddling film Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Inspirational (Paddle activities only: SUP, sea/river kayak, canoe, raft, etc.)
The Inspirational award is for the best paddling film that motivates or inspires audiences in any way: whether towards activism or participation in paddling or anything else. A very broad category. Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Canoeing
Best paddling film featuring Canoeing (whitewater, tripping, lake). Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Environmental (Paddle activities only: SUP, sea/river kayak, canoe, raft, etc.)
Best paddling film with an Environmental theme. Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)
Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Amateur (Paddle activities only: SUP, sea/river kayak, canoe, raft, etc.)
We get many great films by professional makers. This category is for films created by amateurs. The criteria for selection focuses more on the story telling or novelty of the film. Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Education
Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now
Shorts
Films that are (typically) less than 10 minutes. We might even consider it if it's 13 1/2! Waterwalker film submissions must feature some kind of paddling activity such as canoeing, kayaking (sea or river), rafting, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), etc. Entries that do not feature paddling activities will be disqualified. Password is: the object made of wood, consisting of a handle, blade and shaft, used to propel a canoe through the water.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $2
- Student: $2
Submit Now

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