90 minutes – Drama
Festival release date: October 20, 2017 (imagineNATIVE)
Release date: May 25, 2018
Canadian distributor:

When Dave Ellis (Evan Adams), a prominent Kitasoo/Xai’Xais activist, passes away, his 14-year-old niece Ella (Ta’Kaiya Blaney, pictured above) makes it her mission to take his ashes home to Klemtu and stand in his place at a community gathering against a proposed pipeline that would bring oil tankers through their beloved homeland waters. Strengthened by her determination and her youthful spirit, Ella embarks on the kayak journey she planned to take with her Uncle Dave through the Inside Passage along the beautiful shores of the Great Bear Rainforest. Along for the journey are her aunt, cousin, and her cranky uncle Don (Lorne Cardinal). It’s a race against the clock, as the four paddle to make the community gathering in time for Ella to give the speech of her life. Zoe Hopkins’s first feature film is a delightful family adventure that speaks to our heart and minds about the importance of protecting our lands for the generations to come.

Kayak to Klemtu had its World Premiere at the 2017 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Festival in Toronto.