DIRT DIARIES WINNER 2026 - GROUNDED
JULY 2026 - SQUAMISH, WHISTLER BC
Synopsis
Grounded is a fictional mountain bike short film written and directed by Nolan Fielding for the 2026 Crankworx Whistler Dirt Diaries competition. Built around the theme “Resilience in Motion.”
The film follows Nate Gunner, played by Coen Skrypnek, as he deals with the death of his brother, Jay Gunner, played by Charlie McLellan. Struggling to process his loss, Nate turns to mountain biking as a way to escape and work through what he’s feeling. As he rides, memories of his brother begin to surface, slowly revealing the relationship they shared and the weight of Jay’s death.
Rather than making mountain biking the main focus, Grounded uses it as a part of Nate’s story and as a way to explore grief, memory, and moving forward. In the end, Nate receives a note Jay left for him before his passing, giving him the closure he needs to finally begin coming to terms with his brother’s death.
The film was produced over 11 weeks in Squamish and Whistler BC and premiered at Crankworx Whistler as part of the 2026 Dirt Diaries competition, where Grounded went on to win the competition.
CREW:
WRITER | DIRECTOR | DP | EDIT: NOLAN FIELDING
RIGHT HAND MAN: NOAH LARA
GAFFER: COLE NELSON
PA: WILL MCINNES (MCGEEZY)
PA: RORY LENNON
CAST:
COEN SKRYPNEK AS NATE GUNNER
CHARLIE MCLELLAN AS JAY GUNNER
DREW MOZELL
EVIN VALLIER
DANE JEWETT
MADISON SKRYPNEK
BROOKLYN WILMONT
