

Officially Selected for the Festival Season
April 2026
MAAH DAAH HEY: BACK TO THE START

Director:
Aaron Haugen, John Peter
Producer:
Writer:
Selected for the following category(s)
Maah Daah Hey: Back to the Start is a documentary exploring the intersection of endurance, identity, and mental health through the lens of one of the most demanding backcountry trails in the country.
Set against the rugged landscape of North Dakota’s Maah Daah Hey Trail, the film follows a journey that extends far beyond competition — into the psychological and emotional realities of losing control, seeking help, and rebuilding a life after a serious mental health diagnosis.
At its core, the film is not about a race, but about what remains when the version of yourself you once relied on no longer exists — and what it takes to move forward.