Since 2014, the Trail-Running Film Festival has been a popular draw for trail- and ultrarunners nationwide in search of inspiration or entertainment featuring our terrain of choice. In Massachusetts, the festival has made several trips to the Capitol Theatre in Arlington and played to sold-out audiences.

The festival, which is presented by Washington-based Rainshadow Running, last came to the Bay State in October 2018 before going on hiatus in 2019.

The Trail-Running Film Festival is back for 2020, though the format will be different thanks to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Rather than a nationwide road show, this year’s film festival will be a live-streamed event on Friday, May 1, at 8:30 p.m. EDT (5:30 p.m. PDT). The event promises to be “a 2 hour live stream of never before seen films, commentary, inspiration, and prize giveaways.”

For those unable to watch live on May 1, purchase of a ticket will allow you to view the festival later.

Tickets to the live-streamed event cost $10 and can be purchased online at ultrasignup at this link. When purchasing tickets, an option will be given for virtual attendees to make an additional donation to the YWCA COVID 19 Emergency Relief and Community Resiliency Fund, which provides emergency funds and support for COVID-19 preparedness, response, and recovery services, and also provides financial support for housing, childcare, and domestic violence programs that are at risk of closure due to the pandemic. Learn more about it at this link.