The Ely Film Festival is excited to invite all festival passholders to our 3x EFF25 Passholder Breakfasts. Come in early, have a cup of joe and a pastry purchased from Brainstorm Bakery, and share in company with other film lovers and visiting filmmakers. Happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings of Ely Film Festival.

On January 12, 1995 wolves returned to Yellowstone, 50 years after their extirpation. Mollie Beattie, director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, carried the first Canadian born wolf into The Park’s experimental acclimation enclosure, Alpha Female Wolf No. 5. From that day forward, their lives would be forever connected. This is the true story of Mollie’s Pack and the return of wolves to the World's First National Park. This showing will be followed by a presentation and conversation with representatives from Ely's International Wolf Center.

Storytelling is the way knowledge, lessons, and teachings are passed on in Indigenous cultures. These stories take us back to our roots and share the values of our communities, local and abroad, using a variety of techniques. Filmmakers in attendance!

The world's largest lake is now among the fastest warming lakes on the planet. A Sea Change for Lake Superior takes a fresh look at Lake Superior’s natural and cultural legacy, how the lake is fairing in a time of unprecedented change, and how citizens can help mitigate today’s problems and those that the future portends. This showing opens with the short film "Where the Wind Takes You": Embracing the power of the arctic wind just 10 degrees shy of the North Pole, captain Peter Schurke sails North dodging icebergs, exploring remote fjords, and experiencing a close encounter with the ultimate apex predator.

Death is a part of all life, whether the death of a loved one, a pet, or a relationship. The only way to reach the other side is to move through..grief and pain, yes, but also joy and celebration. Filmmakers in attendance.

The film follows cousins Robert Lester and Braxton Mitchell as they attempt a 1,300-mile canoe expedition from the Continental Divide near Butte, Montana, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. While following their downstream journey, the film highlights the ecological issues facing the Columbia River Watershed and promotes the importance of environmental stewardship. The Columbia River Canoe Project takes viewers on an adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes, unpredictable challenges, and a wealth of inspiration. This showing opens with the short film "Madulu, The Seaman", a lyrical documentary that attempts to preserve the rich history of a dying tradition in the wake of the economic struggle at the hand of the tourism industry. Interweaving documentary footage with animated sequences of young Amari's drawings, the film uses a touch of magical realism to explore the divide between past and present and new interpretations of old traditions.

In the not-so-distant future of 2084, Ángel finds himself trapped as a climate migrant in an unspecified smart city, under constant surveillance. Amidst a bleak and oppressive existence, Ángel makes a living by cultivating plants, preserving the fading wisdom of seeds. Within this desolate landscape he crosses paths with Sofia, another climate migrant who works at a recycling facility. Fate intertwines their lives when a chance encounter reveals an unexpected connection: a shared language. Fueling Ángel's longing for human connection and a glimmer of hope, he reaches out to Sofia. Aware of the omnipresent digital monitoring, Ángel decides to communicate with her through the timeless medium of pen and paper, fostering an intimate, clandestine bond. As their secret correspondence unfolds, a friendship grows between Ángel and Sofia as does their desire for liberation from excessive control.

A documentary from filmmaker Leya Hale, The Electric Indian follows Ojibwe hockey legend, Henry Boucha. A stand-out hockey star from Warroad, Minnesota, Boucha impressed on the ice from the 1969 Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament to the 1972 Olympics to the NHL, but an on-ice assault and injury ended his athletic career that unexpectedly led to a journey of healing and cultural reclamation. This showing will open with the short film "The Gift": Daniel is a young Sámi man who always knew he wanted to be a reindeer herder. The only problem is that his family is not involved in reindeer herding, and he doesn't know how to reach his dream. "The Gift" is a film that lends insight into modern day reindeer herding practices and Sámi traditions. But first and foremost, it's a story about trust, friendship and the liberating power of giving. Filmed in the Árjepluovi region of the unceded territory of Sápmi.