Join in the fun on May 2 on the lawn at Ijams Nature Center for the Paddling Film Festival and LWRA Premier, the official kickoff to the Outlandish Adventure Festival! This thrilling evening will showcase some of the year’s best paddling films, celebrating wild rivers, epic journeys, and the adventurous spirit of those who explore them.

Big Slate Media & the Little River Watershed Association are going to warm up the stage & screen for the “paddling film festival ” with A world premiere of a short film “The Voice of the Little River” – The film highlights LRWA’s mission and work in conservation, education, & recreation of our local streams and rivers. 

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the great outdoors, you'll be immersed in stories of whitewater thrills, remote expeditions, and conservation efforts that highlight the power and importance of our waterways. Whether you're a seasoned paddler or just love the outdoors, this event is the perfect way to launch into a weekend of adventure and inspiration.

Doors open at 7 pm; movie begins at dark (~8:30pm). Food trucks and the beer garden will have tasty meals, snacks, and beverages available for purchase. NO COOLERS AND NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL PLEASE. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash at all times. Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended. This event is on the Visitor Center lawn.

Grab your friends, bring a blanket or chair, and get ready for an unforgettable night of films, community, and outdoor excitement!

Paddling Film Festival Brought to Knoxville by RiverSports Outfitters

This year, the Paddling Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with a lineup that promises to be the best yet. Travel from the world’s first huck off a glacier in Svalbard to roaring rapids on the Zambezi; from Scotland’s misty lochs to the workshop of a legendary canoe builder; and from a record-setting paddle on the Mississippi River to exploring friendship in Utah’s Desolation Canyon. These films don’t just tell adventure stories—they will plant the seeds for future ones.