Intrepid Adventure Film Festival

Driven by serial curiosity, Stein Retzlaff co-founded the Intrepid Adventure Film Festival with Frankie Hutchinson, bringing the first-ever adventure film festival to the Midwest. Their vision was to engage and connect outdoor enthusiasts and professionals in the heart of Minnesota. The festival, held in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was a success, creating a lively, vibrant event that combined international short adventure films, live music, and the beauty of the outdoors. Their goal was simple—to engage with a new community, inspire adventure, and celebrate the spirit of adventure.

In just two years of the festival, the impact exceeded expectations bringing over 500 guests and $24,000 for the local DLCCC Youth Programs and the Historic Holmes Theatre, while 60+ kids joined the Kids Day Out program.

In addition to films, the event included live music on the beach, while guests enjoyed refreshing drinks from two bars, morning yoga sessions, and the chance to meet inspiring figures in the adventure community, including Olympic Silver Medalist Colby Stevenson, Polar Explorer Douglas Stoup, Professional Skier Pete McAfee, Professional rock climber Todd Offenbacher and more.

The event also featured an incredible raffle, with prizes like a Lake Tahoe ski vacation, luxury Zodiac Watches, Volkl Skis, GoPro Hero kits, Mammut Sports outerwear, Fine Art prints, Revo sunglasses, a surfboard, and more.

The Intrepid Adventure Film Festival not only showcased stunning films but also highlighted the power of bringing a community together to support and celebrate the spirit of adventure.

This festival was Stein’s first experience in the event market and has plans to create more in the near future.