A New Chapter for Trails In Motion

After 13 years, the Trails In Motion Film Festival, the must-attend international cinematic event for trail running enthusiasts, is entering a new era. Come May 2025, founder, and current Tour Director, James Hallett is passing the baton to a new team ready to carry on the festival's mission. From now on, Canadian trail runners Marline Côté and Vincent Champagne will take the reins of the project.

A Festival That Has Become a Global Reference

Since its inception in 2012 in South Africa, Trails In Motion has established itself as a household name for fans of inspiring trail and ultra running films the world over. Collectively over the past 13 years, the festival has been presented in hundreds of cities across 30 countries, attracting tens of thousands of passionate audience members. 

"Even with its humble beginnings among our then fledgling community in South Africa, the vision was always to create a platform that not only presented a unique and inspiring event experience for the audience, but also a legitimate and supportive platform to the storytellers who produce these amazing films," said James. 

Under James' leadership, Trails In Motion has grown into a global outlet, thanks in large to the hundreds of local screening organizers who have helped the festival expand across all continents. His unwavering commitment has brought running communities together through inspiring stories, strengthening the culture and spirit of trail running worldwide.

"The event hosts that we have around the world are integral in extending our vision for the platform. It's been their enduring passion and community focused endeavors that have ensured the ongoing success of the tour, something I am extremely proud to have been privy to," mused James.

Now, James wants to dedicate more time to personal projects while remaining involved in Trails In Motion as a mentor to the new team. 

"Life moves fast, and with a series of new personal projects on the horizon, I felt it was the right time to bring fresh energy and innovation to the festival," he explains. "But before I do, I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the filmmakers, the hosts and the audiences that have helped shape Trails In Motion over the years. Thank you for this incredible journey!"

James Hallett, second from the left, with filmmaker Dean Leslie [left], and athletes Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel [right]

A Transition into Passionate and Experienced Hands

To ensure the festival's continuity, James has chosen to entrust Trails In Motion to two well-known figures in the Quebec trail running community.

Marline Côté, an avid trail runner, led the Ultra-Trail Harricana—one of Canada's largest trail running competition—for seven years, attracting today more than 3,000 participants annually. An expert in entrepreneurship and communications, she now supports various sports organizations in structuring and developing their activities. She is already deeply familiar with Trails In Motion, having organized the festival's Quebec tour for 9 years— the largest regional tour in the festival's history, with around 20 screenings among the province every year.

Vincent Champagne is also a passionate trail runner. After a decade as a journalist with Canada's premier public media organization, he co-founded Distances+, the largest French-language trail running magazine, which he led for seven years. Today, he serves as Director of Communications and Marketing at a national audiovisual training institute. This return to the world of cinema is a natural fit for him, bringing together his passions: trail running, film, and entrepreneurship.

"Trails In Motion is much more than a film festival. It's a gathering, a moment when the trail running community comes together to share stories that inspire us and push us to go even further. We are committed to continuing James' incredible work and taking the festival to new heights while preserving its community spirit," say Marline and Vincent.

Marline and Vincent express their deep gratitude to James for his dedication over the years and for the support he will continue to provide as a mentor in this exciting transition.

A Bright Future for Trails In Motion

The transition is already underway. With James' support, Marline and Vincent have curated the festival's 2025 program, which will be unveiled in early April, with the clear goal of strengthening and growing the event.

"We are counting on the entire community to support local promoters. Becoming a volunteer, selling tickets, inviting friends—this collective effort is what will allow the festival to continue to shine," they explain.

Promoters interested in organizing a screening or tour in their region can express their interest now. For more information, visit the festival's official website and follow Trails In Motion on social media.