Border Boater: Between Two States

Scheduled in Block 3

Synopsis:

Victoria Levi is a young whitewater paddler with big goals. She lives in the greater DC area and grew up on the Potomac River, learning the ways of the river through her mom and later by attending camps designed for teenage whitewater kayakers. She now travels around the nation and world to experience new rivers, but the call of her home river drew her to run a waterfall known as “The Spout” on the Potomac, potentially becoming the youngest female descent of the dangerous rapid. Join Victoria’s journey as she descends waterfalls, surfs massive waves, and styles her way down the river in “Border Boater: Between Two States.”

Director Bio:

Jess Wiegandt is an environmental filmmaker with a passion to connect youth with the natural world. Her background in both experiential education and wilderness leadership led her to work as a paddlesports instructor and inspired her to create content to inspire audiences to advocate for a healthier planet. She is now pursuing her MFA in Film and Media Arts at American University with a concentration in Environmental and Wildlife Filmmaking.

She has directed, filmed, and edited films including Border Boater: Between Two States, All Year, All Weather, and Back in Session. She also works with environmental organizations including Mpala Live! and The Center for Environmental Filmmaking. Her ongoing projects focus on stories of conservation, including a film on red wolves and another about the James River Watershed. Keep up with Jess on her website, jesswiegandt.com, or on Instagram at @jesswiegandt.