500 Days In The Wild + Q&A with the Filmmaker Dianne Whelan

Saturday 7 March 2026

7pm

$29.00 Adult /  $22.00 Concession (Pensioner, Senior, Student – ID Required)

If you came to The Road to Patagonia (one of our most loved film screenings at The J) you will LOVE this one!

500 Days In The Wild follows the epic 6-year journey of filmmaker Dianne Whelan as she sets out to reconnect with nature and become the first person to travel the world’s longest trail.

The 24,000 km Trans Canada Trail stretches across the continent of North America, connecting the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans. It is the longest trail in the world. For six years filmmaker Dianne Whelan traveled the entirety of the land and water trails, the only person to ever accomplish this journey. 500 Days in the Wild recounts Dianne’s journey by bike, canoe, skis, snowshoes and on foot and her cross-cultural visits with those who live close to the land.

This feature doc culled from 800 hours of footage is an intricate weave of adventure film, personal reflection and stunning captures of wildlife and landscapes. Using humour, adventure, beautiful cinematography and a great soundtrack (including songs from Joni Mitchell, First Aid Kit, Xavier Rudd, and The Tragically Hip), 500 Days in the Wild will entertain audiences and inspire hope for the future.

She started out alone, disillusioned with state of the world, to look for different ways of caring for the land and for each other. She ended the journey a bit wiser, more hopeful, in love and with a passion to share this story.

Grand Prize VIMFF

Best Film World Trail Film Festival

Best Film Nordic Adventure Film Festival

Audience Award Saltspring Film Festival

Audience Award Victoria Film Festival

Founders Award for Best Doc at TVE

Film Awards

Audience Award Whistler Film Festival

Duration Approx 2 Hours no interval