UP a River

About the Film

Over 100 hunting/recreational camps in the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan’s U.P. have to be removed or destroyed by January 1, 2017. UP a River is a cultural documentary about the people who built decades of traditions around these camps. Laughs are shared, tears are shed, and all agree that "goin’ to camp" is something that everyone should experience in their lifetime. UP a River documents what may be the end of an era for many people with ties to these U.P. camps.

Great Lakes connection:

Filmed in the Upper Peninsula

Cast & Crew:

Director: Kristin L Ojaniemi
Producer: Kristin L Ojaniemi

Director’s Bio:

My name is Kristin Ojaniemi. I was born and raised in and still live in Paynesville, Michigan. I live in a cozy little house with my boyfriend and two dogs, surrounded by Mother Nature at her best and family and friends nearby.

Five days a week I commute 75 miles south to Rhinelander, Wisconsin where for the past nine years I’ve worked at a small NBC affiliate, currently as the Creative Services Director. I am told I am crazy for commuting such a distance. There is nowhere else I would rather live and it’s the closest place I can work at a job I enjoy. I also teach a Digital Video course at Nicolet College.

I graduated from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan (near Grand Rapids) with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Film and Video Production. My senior thesis, a short film titled “Family Portrait” won Best of Student Showcase at the Waterfront Film Festival in 2004 and was an official selection at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival that same year.

I know I am late to this fight to save the hunting camps along the rivers in the Ottawa National Forest. If nothing else I hope to preserve the memories.