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Kim Logan on “Trailblazing,” Representation and the Power of Local Stories

Posted on July 17, 2025
Kim with her Golden Sheaf Award. Photo courtesy of Kim Logan.
Kim with her Golden Sheaf Award. Photo courtesy of Kim Logan.
STORYHIVE
STORYHIVE

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With a background in marketing, Canmore resident Kim Logan has a pretty good handle on what makes a good story: something engaging and compelling with a clear narrative, but above all else, something human. When she had heard about local trail builder Matt Hadley and how he adapted to overcome a lifechanging event that led to disability, she knew this was a story she wanted to dig into. That’s exactly when the STORYHIVE Anniversary Documentary Edition came along. 

She decided to “throw her hat in the ring” and try out filmmaking with the help of the $20,000 grant, plus the training, professional mentorship and support to bring it to life. Two years later, the emerging filmmaker has already taken home the Golden Sheaf Award from Saskatchewan’s Yorkton Film Festival, and her film Trailblazing: The Matt Hadley Story is set to hit a couple more film festivals before the year’s end.

STORYHIVE caught up with the now award-winning filmmaker to talk storytelling with heart, building trust behind the lens and challenging perceptions of disability in the outdoors.

STORYHIVE: Congrats on the success of Trailblazing: The Matt Hadley Story! It was the winner of the Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival and will soon be hitting a couple of other international film festivals this fall. How are you feeling about the film’s reception?

Kim Logan: I'm really pleased with how the film has been received so far. Winning the Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival in May was a huge, unexpected surprise, and I'm so grateful that the film is receiving the recognition it deserves. I think it's an incredible and moving story.

STORYHIVE: The documentary focuses on Matt Hadley, a trail builder and mountain biker who loses his leg and adapts his sport. What made you want to tell this story? Do you have any personal connection to it?

Kim Logan: I was drawn to Matt's story for several reasons. I first read about his accident in the news, and his story really gripped me. He had experienced this trauma, but what really stood out was how he chose to respond to it. Matt's a local legend in the Bow Valley and in Canmore, but I felt like he’d been flying under the radar because I hadn’t heard of him until I went to apply for the STORYHIVE grant. A friend suggested I do a story on Matt, and I just couldn’t believe his story hadn’t been told yet.

He's been involved in significant trail-building projects in Canmore and the surrounding area. People from all over the world come and visit the Canadian Rockies, and he's had a hand in designing and building so many of the iconic trails here, so it's really shining a light on him and the legacy he's leaving here for outdoor adventurers. So that was one element of it. And then I think, too, there was an element of representation in the outdoors. Accessibility in the outdoors is obviously important. I really felt I'm an adventurer myself, so I was really drawn to this aspect of the story. I think there's a stereotype that the accessibility challenged community is limited and that they can't do certain sports. Trailblazing really challenges those preconceived notions about what it's like to not only live with a disability, but also live an active lifestyle in the mountains of all places. So that was really important to showcase. 

That kind of representation can help people feel like they belong.

Also, there are universal themes in Trailblazing. Matt has redefined what’s possible. The film is about resilience, innovation and determination and I think those themes resonate far beyond the outdoor community.

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STORYHIVE: Tell me a little more about your background. Have you always wanted to become a filmmaker?

Kim Logan: The power of story has resonated with me from a young age. I remember playing 3D Movie Maker on Windows 95 as a kid. When I moved from Australia to Canada 14 years ago, I started attending the Banff Film Festival and was so deeply inspired by the adventure films. I thought, wouldn’t it be incredible to be involved in making something that screens at this world-renowned festival?

That dream stuck with me. One year, I even met American mountaineer Jimmy Chin, who I’m hugely inspired by. I love documentaries, they're pretty much all I watch. I believe in their power to entertain, connect, shift perspectives and create emotional impact. I didn’t know how that dream would become a reality, especially since my background is in marketing and public relations, not filmmaking. But I did know how to craft compelling narratives and engage audiences.

In 2023, I serendipitously met award-winning filmmaker Brandy Yanchyk. She really opened the door for me. Because of her, I had the opportunity to create a five-minute documentary for the CBC Creator Network called Once a Cowgirl, Forever a Cowgirl. That was my first real taste of filmmaking, and then I applied for the Anniversary Documentary Edition with STORYHIVE and the rest is history.

STORYHIVE: What was it like working with Matt, his family and community on such a sensitive topic? Is there a lesson here on how to approach stories ethically as a documentarian?

Kim Logan: I knew I had to approach this with sensitivity and deep respect. This isn’t just a story about adventure. It’s about trauma, identity and rebuilding a life. I made it clear that this was Matt’s story to share, at his pace and on his terms.

My job as a filmmaker was to really listen, build trust and create space for honesty. That trust became the foundation for everything. Matt and I collaborated very closely throughout the filmmaking process, and he was an absolute delight to work with.

I remember when he came over with his son Graham to watch a rough cut of the film. I saw him go through all the emotions while watching, and at the end, he said, “That was phenomenal.” He left, and I shut the door and just burst into tears. After over a year of working together, it was such a relief and a joy to have created something we were both proud of.

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STORYHIVE: Stories are important, but so is your team. Can you tell me about the people you worked with on this film?

Kim Logan: One quote that’s stayed with me is: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That couldn’t ring more true.

One person I worked very closely with was Seth Williams, our director of photography and editor. He’s also based in Canmore. Seth is incredibly talented and creative, and I’m so grateful for his contributions.

There were other key collaborators across the province who brought unique expertise to the project. Being in the director, writer and producer role, which was all new to me,it was great to lean into the strengths of others.

Michael Klecamp, based in Canmore, and Ben Ford, based in New Brunswick, supported with additional cinematography. Without Ben, we wouldn’t have been able to interview one of the film’s key subjects remotely, so I’m especially grateful to him.

Andrea Wettstein composed most of the music in Trailblazing. She’s amazing. Johnny Blair, a sound designer based in Edmonton, has an incredible ear and has been recognized with awards of his own. Michael McIntosh was our colourist. I’m so proud of the entire team.

STORYHIVE: Now that you’ve been through the STORYHIVE Editions program, what advice would you give to other emerging filmmakers who are thinking of applying?

Kim Logan: If you feel called to filmmaking, just apply. Throw your name in the hat. Give the application your all. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.

I can’t say enough good things about STORYHIVE: the community, the resources, the support. It’s unlocked so many doors for me. If you apply, you won’t regret it.

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STORYHIVE: What was your experience like working with your mentor from the National Screen Institute?

Kim Logan: I was so grateful to be paired with a mentor as an emerging filmmaker. I had the chance to work with award-winning filmmaker Corey Lee. We had calls every couple of weeks to check in and talk through the process. I asked him anything and everything. There were no silly questions. He was so supportive throughout, and he still is, even six months after the film’s been completed. He told me to reach out if I ever need anything. That support meant so much. It felt like someone was holding my hand through a very daunting journey.

STORYHIVE: What advice would you have for any filmmakers currently filming their STORYHIVE projects?

Kim Logan: Lead with the heart of your story. It’s easy to get caught up in logistics, gear and deadlines, but what carries you through is that deep connection to why you’re telling this story and what core message you’re trying to get across. Keep coming back to that.

Also, stay open. In documentaries, stories often evolve in unexpected and beautiful ways. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Collaboration is where the magic happens. I remember someone in the STORYHIVE community said, “There’s no medium more collaborative than film.” That really stuck with me.

So lean into your strengths and build a team to support you in other areas. And enjoy the journey. STORYHIVE is an incredible community to learn, grow and find your voice. Just lean into it.

STORYHIVE: What’s next for Kim Logan?

Kim Logan: The work certainly doesn’t stop once the film is complete. Right now I’m continuing to market Trailblazing. I don’t have another project in the works yet because this one’s still keeping me busy, but I’d love to keep exploring stories of overcoming adversity. That seems to have become my niche [and] it’s the common thread in both of the documentaries I’ve made so far. I’ve always been deeply inspired by those kinds of stories.

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Congratulations to Kim on the incredible achievements! Stay tuned for the premiere of Trailblazing: The Matt Hadley Story on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 9, Stream+ and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel in December 2025. Follow Kim on Instagram @kim.n.logan