Merrell Launched Filmmaking Partnership for Outdoors
The footwear company will support six filmmakers in creating projects inspired by the outdoors through a new collaboration.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Hiking
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Merrell has entered a three-year partnership with Sundance Collab to support a new storytelling program focused on the outdoors. The initiative provides six selected filmmakers with funding and mentorship to produce short films.
Why it matters
The program aims to expand Merrell's It Starts Outside platform by bringing nature-focused campaigns to life through original social media content. This collaboration aligns the brand's outreach with the professional creative community.
Out of 1,200 international applicants, six filmmakers were selected for the inaugural program based on concepts reflecting the transformative power of nature. Selected participants receive a $20,000 grant and a three-month mentorship to complete 60- to 90-second films.
The players
Merrell
A footwear company specializing in hiking boots and outdoor gear.
Sundance Collab
An online platform for filmmakers operated by the Sundance Institute.
Wolverine Worldwide
The parent corporation of Merrell that manages a portfolio of footwear and apparel brands.
The details
The program seeks to bridge outdoor activity with creative expression by tasking filmmakers with translating the experience of being outside into social-first film projects. A committee consisting of executives, athletes, creatives, and film experts reviewed the submitted concepts. Selected filmmakers receive professional guidance during a three-month production mentorship to refine their creative vision before final delivery.
Timeline
June 2026: Merrell and Sundance Collab launched the storytelling program.
October 1, 2026: The three-year partnership was officially announced.
2027: The program culminates at the Sundance Film Festival.
Health Landscape
The partnership extends the influence of the It Starts Outside platform by leveraging cultural storytelling to engage the public. This initiative marks a departure from traditional advertising by integrating professional creative mentorship into corporate outreach.
Engaging with creative storytelling can be a powerful way to reinforce the mental health benefits of regular outdoor activity. Consider how nature-focused projects influence your own habits and discuss the restorative power of outdoor time with your physician.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights how creative projects can help translate the personal health benefits of nature into broader cultural dialogue. Readers interested in the outdoors may find inspiration in these upcoming films as a way to visualize the physical and mental rewards of an active lifestyle.
What happens next
The six selected filmmakers will participate in a live panel discussion at the 2027 Sundance Film Festival to showcase their projects.
Further reading
For more on finding inspiration in the wilderness, explore our Hiking section.
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