April 2/25 13:35 pm - Trailblazing: The Matt Hadley Story Film to Premiere in May

Posted by Editoress on 04/2/25
 

Trailblazing: The Matt Hadley Story, a gripping new documentary by Alberta filmmaker, Kim Logan, will make its world premiere at the prestigious Yorkton Film Festival this May (May 22-24, Yorkton, Saskatchewan). Set in Canmore and filmed in the Canadian Rockies, Trailblazing is about pushing limits and proving that adventure knows no boundaries - something Matt Hadley has embraced his entire life, both on and off the trails.

Beyond Matt's achievements as an elite mountain biker before a devastating accident he has made a lasting impact on the outdoor community through his work as a trail builder. As a trails technologist in Canmore, he played a key role in major projects like the High Rockies Trail in Spray Lakes and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks, as well as the redevelopment of Ha Ling and Yamnuska. His dedication to creating world-class trails continues to shape how people experience the mountains.

As North America's longest-running film festival (established 1947), Yorkton celebrates excellence in Canadian short films and documentaries. Selected from over 300 submissions, Trailblazing is one of five films nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award in the Documentary (Point of View) category. Supported by Telus Storyhive, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and McElhanney, the film chronicles the extraordinary journey of Matt, whose life changed forever after a devastating accident in 2019. Now an amputee, Matt's resilience, innovation and determination redefine perceptions of adaptive athletes and prove that adventure has no limits.

"I knew Matt's story deserved to be told. As a Canmore local legend, his impact on our community runs deep. This film became an opportunity to honour his legacy and highlight his remarkable influence on mountain culture," said Logan. "Premiering at Yorkton is an incredible honour and I'm thrilled for audiences to experience Matt's journey. I hope viewers walk away inspired, empowered and deeply moved. His story is proof that challenges can be overcome and adventure remains possible, no matter the obstacles. I hope it encourages people to rethink their own limits and reimagine what's possible."

Learn more about the film and watch the trailer at kimnlogan.com/trailblazingfilm.

Get a glimpse of behind-the-scenes on Instagram:  @trailblazing.film