Footcandle Film Festival | River Warrior

River Warrior follows Ann Rose, an off-grid farmer from Appalachia, as she embarks on an epic 1,895-mile kayaking journey from her backyard creek in Lansing, North Carolina, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. But this is more than an adventure story—it’s a portrait of personal transformation, environmental urgency, and fierce resilience.

Long before she dipped her paddle into the water, Ann had already chosen a different path. She left behind the trappings of a “normal” life to build Rose Mountain Farm, a self-sustaining homestead nestled in a close-knit Appalachian community. From tending soil to harvesting her own food, Ann’s life revolves around the land and the water that nourishes it.

In the summer of 2024, as her quiet mountain town eased into the season, Ann set off on a bold new chapter. With only her kayak and a few essential supplies, she launched from her local creek on July 7th and paddled for three months toward the Gulf, driven by a desire for both personal discovery and public awareness. As a farmer, she understands the urgent importance of clean, reliable water, and this journey became her way of speaking up for the rivers that sustain us all.

Ann successfully completed her journey on September 27th, 2024. That same day, Hurricane Helene tore through her hometown, devastating the very land and community she calls home. What would’ve been a triumphant homecoming quickly became a call to action for her community, as Ann turned from river warrior to relief worker, lending her strength to rebuild what had been lost.

This documentary captures Ann’s incredible journey on the water and the deeper currents of purpose, place, and persistence that carried her the whole way.