Out There: A National Parks Story
Brendan Hall
70 mins | 2023
A young filmmaker sets out on a 10,000-mile exploration of the national parks during the centennial year of the National Park Service. This stunning road trip is a tribute to the parks and the people working to maintain their beauty.
Sponsored by:
Island Equestrians
A young filmmaker sets out on a 10,000-mile exploration of the national parks with his childhood best friend during the centennial year of the formation of the National Park Service. Along the way, the two record stories of the people who work in the parks and those that come to enjoy them, as part of the rich tapestry of the history of the park system emerges. They hear profound stories of people from all ages, walks of life, and cultures that come to the parks seeking tranquility, healing, motivation, and connection to the natural world. Between the spectacular shots of the parks and compelling interviews are colorful bits of old maps, posters, and travelogues. This stunning road trip is a tribute to the national parks and their history and is also a recognition of the people who appreciate them and work to maintain their beauty.
Brendan Hall
Brendan Hall is a documentary filmmaker telling stories in the natural world and beyond. His projects have brought viewers on adventures that explore the frontiers of our human spirit. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, he began his career assisting with development at the National Geographic Channel. He has since traveled the world directing projects for global non-profits and brands including National Geographic, Google, Adobe, and The Nature Conservancy. He has also contributed cinematography to documentaries on Netflix and PBS including BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY and RED HEAVEN. In his work, Brendan is committed to sharing the wonders of our planet in hopes that we may be inspired to care for it.
In 2022, Brendan was globally announced as a crew member of the dearMoon lunar mission led by Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa. Selected from over 1 million artists and creatives around the world, he will join Maezawa and 7 other crew members on the first-ever civilian flight around the moon with SpaceX as soon as 2023. While Brendan is a director, cinematographer, and editor, he is also a night sky photographer, scuba diver, and amateur juggler.
CREDITS
Director
Brendan Hall
Producer
Anthony Blake
Producer
Graham Raubvogel
Producer
Sandra Tan
Executive Producer
Gerry Ohrstrom
Particle Fever, Bill Nye: Science Guy, We Are As Gods
Executive Producer
Wea Nichols
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
This project has truly been a labor of love for everyone involved.
In these trying times, our national parks are more important than ever. Without our collective stewardship, these protected landscapes and havens of human experience may be lost to future generations. With this film, we hope to shed light on their significance and encourage viewers to appreciate and protect our public lands.
The individuals featured in the documentary have profoundly impacted my own life throughout the years. Their stories are a testament to the power of nature and its transformative influence on the human spirit.
We hope this story will connect your festival's audience to their own memories in the outdoors or be a catalyst to inspire new adventures.
Thank you for your consideration,
Brendan