Blk Elk selected for Mountainfilm Festival

Fayetteville-based production studio Blk Elk was recently named a finalist at the 2026 Mountainfilm Festival, one of the most prestigious outdoor and documentary film festivals in the United States.

The studio’s film, “Jaunt,” was selected for the festival, which takes place annually over Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, Colo. Each year, the festival receives thousands of submissions and selects about 80-100 short films, with an acceptance rate of roughly 10%-15%.

Blk Elk’s four-minute film follows Justice, a young professional overwhelmed by mounting deadlines and the pressures of work. The film is set in a warehouse office and “contrasts daily stress with a simple, restorative ritual: a one-hour mountain bike ride through nature,” according to a news release.

“Jaunt” was filmed in Northwest Arkansas from 2024 to 2025 and features mountain biker Justice “Jax” Berry, with Ian Caple appearing as the film’s faceless boss.

Daniel Mitchell, partner and director of Blk Elk, is the film’s director. It was co-written by Mitchell and Logan Dial and produced by Neiagha Thomas and Mitchell. Dial also served as director of photography and editor.

Executive producers include Trent Sugg, Jimmy Astleford, Scott Huddleston and Jason Denney. Additional crew comprises colorist Parker Dial, first assistant camera Michael Murray and drone cinematography by Caple. Sponsors include YT Mill Bentonville, 944 Safari, Rig’d Supply and Express Rally.

“Jaunt” was recently screened at the 50th Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival in Alberta, Canada, and selected for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, where it’s screening at more than 600 events across 40 countries. Only about 20 films are chosen for the global tour each year.

“Mountainfilm is one of our favorite festivals, and we’re incredibly honored to be selected as a finalist this year,” Mitchell said. “Coming off Banff, it’s exciting to see the film continue to connect with audiences and programmers. To be recognized alongside so many talented filmmakers is something we don’t take lightly.”

Blk Elk has five full-time employees.