"The Best in Paddlesports Film and Image Competition"

The NPFF is only 2 weeks away, and we've got a big one for you this year!

For 25 years, the NPFF, along with American Whitewater, has raised thousands of dollars for river conservation efforts. The NPFF is an all-volunteer organization - all money raised goes to organizations such as AW, the Green River Access Fund, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and many more, and to continuing the Festival for the next year.

For NPFF 2008, we've moved to the Clubhouse at the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY. With over 5,000 square feet available to us inside, and a full wraparound covered porch, there's more than ample room. There is also ample parking for Festival attendees.

We've got hours and hours of film for you to watch. This year has seen a strong showing in the Accomplished and Professional categories, and, as always, some really good Amateur films.

Last year's Guest Host John Grace from Lunch Video Magazine will be returning this year for an LVM Premier.

For our Guest Host this year, we're stoked to have NPFF 2007's "Best of Festival" and "Accomplished General" winners, Todd Gillman and Bryan Smith from The Range Life, fresh off Immersion Research's "Vacation to Hell". We expect some great stories from these guys. Be sure to check out their website in the links below to see what they've been up to.

In addition to the films, we've got some great music lined up for you. Boater and Amateur filmmaker Jason Rodgers and his bandmates Tina Perry and Anthony Manns will be doing a pre-film set on Friday, and on Saturday, we have boater Dan Atkins and the Downtown County Band doing an acoustic traditional Bluegrass set from 2 to 4 p.m., in conjunction with a Bourbon Tasting put on by Buffalo Trace. For both Friday and Saturday night, we've made arrangements with one of the local bars, the Brick Alley in downtown Frankfort (and only a mile from the event site), for NPFF attendees to get in free of cover for more live music. Friday night will be a show by Local Spirit, a great Jack Johnson style band, and Saturday night will be NPFF 2005 party band Born Crosseyed. The Brick Alley is open until 2 a.m. Friday, and 1 a.m. Saturday, so we can party hard.

The Silent Auction is back again, with items from Immersion Research, The Heliconia Press, Teva, Element Expeditions, Kokatat, Madawaska Kanu Center, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Performance Video, PS Composites, Skirtworks, Wavedog Paddles, the Kentucky Outdoor Center, and more. We've also got boats from WaveSport, Jackson Kayak, and Dagger.

American Whitewater will be there doing a membership drive. Additionally, for those of you interested in the cyber-world aspect of whitewater, American Whitewater will be hosting a conference on the future of the AW website and GPS capabilities the Saturday of the Festival from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Health Science Learning Center, 5th floor, room 502A, on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington.

As far as paddling opportunities, Kentucky Outdoor Center is organizing a Saturday paddle with Jackson Kayak on a local favorite, Elkhorn Creek, just 10 minutes from the Festival site.

We'll have food available both nights, with snacks and such available on Friday night, and a Chili Cookoff on Saturday. Beer is provided by the Bluegrass Brewing Company. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided as well.

Here is the schedule of events:
Friday
5:00 p.m. - Doors open
6:00 p.m. - Films begin
8:30 p.m. - John Grace from Lunch Video Magazine will make his presentation
9:30 p.m. - Films resume
11:30 p.m. - After-party at the Brick Alley

Saturday
1:00 p.m. - Doors open
2:00 p.m. - Bourbon Tasting & Live Bluegrass Music with The Downtown County Band
5:00 p.m. - Films begin
8:00 p.m. - The Range Life presentation
9:00 p.m. - Films resume
11:00 p.m. - Awards ceremony
11:30 p.m. - After-party at the Brick Alley

There are many hotels available in Frankfort, including the Capital Plaza Hotel just a half-mile from the Festival site, and right across the street from the downtown Frankfort dining and shopping district. While the official date for our reserved block of rooms at the Capital Plaza hotel has passed, the special NPFF rate of $74 per night is still in effect, depending on room availability. Just ask for the National Paddling Film Festival rate.

Downtown Frankfort offers many dining and shopping experiences, including fantastic pizza, a locally-run coffee shop, deli sandwiches, a wine bar, a Mediterranean restaurant, an upscale dining establishment (upscale, but still very affordable!), and a local arts and crafts store, among others. For more information, check out the links below, or go to our website.

Tickets to NPFF 2008 are available through American Whitewater's online store at a special rate of $20 for the entire weekend. This price will be available until Thursday, February 21st; tickets will be $25 at the door, so buy your tickets online today. This promises to be a fantastic event, and we look forward to seeing you all there for the 25th Annual National Paddling Film Festival!

Todd Garland
NPFF 2008 Director
h2oincfs@fewpb.net
(502) 320-4077


Links:
NPFF website - www.surfbwa.org/npff/
American Whitewater - www.americanwhitewater.org/
The Range Life - www.therangelife.blogspot.com/
Buffalo Trace Distillery - www.buffalotrace.com/
The Capital Plaza Hotel - www.capitalplazaky.com/
Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist & Convention Committee - www.visitfrankfort.com/