Matchstick Productions: The Way Out
Matchstick Productions returns with their 34th annual ski film, The Way Out, an action-packed tribute to the culture and lifestyle of skiing. What makes skiing special goes far beyond the fleeting thrill of dropping into a line. It’s the deep, elemental relationship with nature that sets mountain culture apart from any traditional activity. For skiers, this isn’t just a sport; we live to ski, and ski to live.
The Way Out drops you right into the action across the globe, from heavy Alaskan spine lines to local backyard laps in Whistler.
The Way Out represents a path toward total freedom. Whether tracking Hoji, Chris Rubens, and Mark Abma across the iconic Swiss Alps or capturing breakout skier Lucy Leishman storming through Japan’s deep powder with three legendary freeskiers, the verdict is simple: the soul of skiing isn’t dead; it's alive and well wherever the snow is falling.
United States
Director
Matchstick Productions
Questions and Answers
Athletes
Mark Abma, Chris Rubens, Eric Hjorleifson, Jake Hopfinger, Logan Pehota, Xander Guldman, Craig Murray, Lucy Leishman, Tonje Kvivik, Janelle Yip, Ben Richards, Marcus Goguen, Dylan Siggers, Manon Loschi, Indy Boyer, Alex Armstrong, Bobby Brown, Dennis Ranalter, Jonathan Rollins, Finn Bilous, Sam Kuch, Adam Kuch, Nikolai Schirmer, Karl Fostvedt, Martin Birkelund, Tobias Kronborg
Co-Presenting Partners
Our Amazing
Partners
Collaborators
Media Partners
Film Guide
SKI CATEGORIES
For this year’s iF3 Movie Awards, any and all films about skiing, snowboarding or a mixture of the two are eligible.
AMATEUR
- Amateur Film of the Year
- Amateur Skier of the Year
ATHLETE
- Female Skier of the Year
- Male Skier of the Year
- Breakthrough Skier of the Year
PRO
- Best Short Movie (under 20min)
- Best Street Segment
- Best Backcountry Segment
- Best Storytelling
- Jury’s Pick (Dedicated to Kai Smart)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Film of the Year
SNOWBOARD CATEGORIES
Whether it’s focused on freestyle, freeride, street, backcountry, telemark skiing, mountaineering, adventuring, a documentary subject, or anything in between, your film is welcome at iF3.
AMATEUR
- Amateur Film of the Year
- Amateur Snowboarder of the Year
ATHLETE
- Female Snowboarder of the Year
- Male Snowboarder of the Year
- Breakthrough Snowboarder of the Year
PRO
- Best Short Movie (under 20min)
- Best Street Segment
- Best Backcountry Segment
- Best Storytelling
- Jury’s Pick (Dedicated to Jeff Keenan)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Film of the Year
To all producers and athletes you are invited to register for iF3 2026 !
Registrations are now closed for iF3 2026!
Got questions? Please send us your inquiry via email: [email protected]