Over 2,000 votes are in from Backcountry Film Festival audience members around the world! We’re thrilled to announce that “Surviving Our Story”—an episode from Connor Ryan’s powerful series The New Radical—has won the Audience Award for the 20th Annual Backcountry Film Festival!

Directed by Connor Ryan and Isaiah Branch Boyle and supported by our Human Powered Film Grant, the film follows Connor Ryan, an Indigenous Lakota skier, and Ryan McClure as they navigate life after surviving two back-to-back avalanches in Colorado. The episode is a raw, gripping, and powerful look at trauma, healing, and the deep resilience required to return to the mountains—and to oneself.

As producer, Bryan Cole, puts it:

“It’s a wildly scary film and one that all backcountry skiers should see!”

Our audience agreed. From its premiere in Boise, Idaho to stops across the snow belt, this film resonated deeply—reminding us of the power of vulnerability, community, representation, and storytelling in outdoor spaces.

Congratulations to Connor, Isaiah, Ryan, Bryan, and the entire team! And thank you to everyone who voted, showed up at your local screenings, and helped shape another incredible season of connection and winter celebration. You made this year’s tour unforgettable.

Missed it? You can still watch “Surviving Our Story”—and the entire 20th Annual Backcountry Film Festival lineup—now streaming virtually, anytime, anywhere.