Butte Creek has been honored with two awards from the Impact Docs Awards, an international competition that recognizes excellence in documentary filmmaking and media that contributes to meaningful storytelling.
The film received an Award of Excellence for Narration, recognizing the strength and effectiveness of its narration in guiding the audience through the story of Butte Creek Scout Ranch; its history, its people, and the culture that has grown around it over generations.
In addition, the documentary received an Award of Recognition for Cinematography, highlighting the visual approach used to capture life at Butte Creek. Shot to evoke the feeling of classic Western films, the cinematography reflects both the rugged landscape of the ranch and the quieter, more personal moments experienced by the staff and campers who call it home during the summer.
The Impact Docs Awards evaluate films based on production quality, storytelling, and overall impact. These honors reflect the care taken to craft a film that is not only visually compelling, but also grounded in character, place, and lived experience.
As Butte Creek continues its festival run, these awards serve as a meaningful acknowledgment of the creative work behind the film, and of the real community whose story it tells.
Butte Creek Receives Two Awards from Impact Docs Awards
Butte Creek has been honored with two awards from the Impact Docs Awards, an international competition that recognizes excellence in documentary filmmaking and media that contributes to meaningful storytelling.
The film received an Award of Excellence for Narration, recognizing the strength and effectiveness of its narration in guiding the audience through the story of Butte Creek Scout Ranch; its history, its people, and the culture that has grown around it over generations.
In addition, the documentary received an Award of Recognition for Cinematography, highlighting the visual approach used to capture life at Butte Creek. Shot to evoke the feeling of classic Western films, the cinematography reflects both the rugged landscape of the ranch and the quieter, more personal moments experienced by the staff and campers who call it home during the summer.
The Impact Docs Awards evaluate films based on production quality, storytelling, and overall impact. These honors reflect the care taken to craft a film that is not only visually compelling, but also grounded in character, place, and lived experience.
As Butte Creek continues its festival run, these awards serve as a meaningful acknowledgment of the creative work behind the film, and of the real community whose story it tells.
Butte Creek Named an Official Selection of the 2026 Impact DOCS Awards
We’re proud to share that Butte Creek has been named an official selection of the 2026 Impact DOCS Awards!
The Impact DOCS Awards recognize documentary films from around the world that tell meaningful stories and spark thoughtful conversations. Being chosen as an official selection is an exciting milestone that places Butte Creek among a global community of filmmakers dedicated to authentic, purpose-driven storytelling.
Butte Creek follows seventeen-year-old Josie through her first summer working at Butte Creek Scout Ranch. As she faces wildfires, storms, and the challenges of a chronic illness, Josie discovers resilience, belonging, and a sense of family within the rugged beauty of the Old West.
We’re honored by this recognition and look forward to sharing Butte Creek with audiences through the Impact DOCS Awards and beyond.
New Poster Released for “Butte Creek”
A new official poster has been released for the feature documentary Butte Creek, capturing the emotional heart of the film and the journey at its center.
The design highlights Josie, the film’s central figure, set against the warm glow of a smoky Oregon sunset over Butte Creek Scout Ranch. Thoughtful and introspective, the image reflects her transformation over the course of one unforgettable summer—a story of challenge, growth, and belonging.
The new poster marks a visual evolution for Butte Creek, moving beyond its early promotional imagery to more deeply convey the film’s spirit and themes. It mirrors the tone of the documentary itself: cinematic yet authentic, grounded in the beauty of the land and the resilience of those who call it home.
The poster will accompany the film throughout its ongoing festival run, including recent selections at the Seattle Film Festival, the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival, and the IndieFest Film Awards.
“Butte Creek” Receives Official Selection at The IndieFest Film Awards
The feature documentary Butte Creek has been officially selected for the IndieFest Film Awards, an international competition honoring independent filmmakers who bring unique voices and powerful stories to the screen.
Directed by Adam Grunseth, Butte Creek tells the story of one unforgettable summer at Butte Creek Scout Ranch—a working horse ranch and Cub Scout camp set in the Oregon foothills. The film follows seventeen-year-old Josie as she embarks on a journey that begins with adventure and evolves into one of challenge, resilience, and self-discovery.
Recognition from the IndieFest Film Awards highlights Butte Creek’s blend of cinematic beauty and emotional honesty, celebrating its portrayal of community, leadership, and belonging against the rugged backdrop of the American West.
As Butte Creek continues its festival run, this honor marks another milestone in the film’s growing list of achievements.
“Butte Creek” Officially Selected for the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival
The feature documentary Butte Creek has been named an Official Selection at the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival.
Directed by Adam Grunseth, Butte Creek captures a season at Butte Creek Scout Ranch, a working horse ranch and Cub Scout summer camp in the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Josie, the film explores the challenges and triumphs of youth leadership, the grit of camp life, and the deep sense of belonging that emerges from shared hardship.
Selection by the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival marks another exciting milestone in Butte Creek’s festival journey. The festival celebrates authentic, socially conscious storytelling from around the world, recognizing films that shed light on unique communities and human experiences.
This honor continues to build momentum for Butte Creek as it reaches new audiences and begins its journey through the international documentary circuit.
“Butte Creek” Named Semi-Finalist at the Seattle Film Festival
The feature documentary Butte Creek has been named a Semi-Finalist at the 2025 Seattle Film Festival.
Written and directed by Adam Grunseth, Butte Creek tells the story of a summer at Butte Creek Scout Ranch, a working horse ranch and Cub Scout camp nestled in the Oregon foothills. Through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Josie, the film explores the challenges, triumphs, and transformation that unfold over one unforgettable season.
Being recognized by the Seattle Film Festival marks an exciting milestone for the project, which only recently completed post-production and began its festival journey. The selection highlights the film’s heartfelt storytelling, authentic sense of place, and its celebration of perseverance, teamwork, and belonging.
The honor of being named a semi-finalist is a major step forward for the independent documentary.
“Butte Creek Roundup” Wins Gold Telly Award for Cinematography
The short film Butte Creek Roundup has been honored with a Gold Telly Award for Cinematography, recognizing its outstanding visual storytelling and craftsmanship.
Produced and directed by Adam Grunseth, Butte Creek Roundup was created for the annual Butte Creek Roundup fundraising event and edited from footage captured during production of the feature documentary Butte Creek. The short film showcases the stunning landscapes of Butte Creek Scout Ranch, the daily work of its dedicated staff, and the enduring connection between people, horses, and the land.
The Telly Awards, founded in 1979, honor excellence in video and television across all screens and receive more than 12,000 entries annually from around the world. Winning a Gold Telly—the competition’s highest distinction—places Butte Creek Roundup among the top tier of international video productions.
This recognition underscores the artistry and dedication behind the Butte Creek project as a whole, celebrating not only the story being told but also the cinematic vision that brings it to life.
“Butte Creek” Completed and Entering Film Festivals
After years of planning, filming, editing, and refinement, Butte Creek is complete. The feature-length documentary, directed by Adam Grunseth, captures life at Butte Creek Scout Ranch—a one-of-a-kind working horse ranch and Cub Scout summer camp set in the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains.
The film follows seventeen-year-old Josie through one remarkable summer as she joins the staff at Butte Creek. What begins as a search for adventure soon becomes a test of endurance, resilience, and belonging. Against the backdrop of long workdays, wildfire threats, and the unrelenting pace of camp life, Butte Creek explores how struggle can forge community and how a place can shape the people who care for it.
The completed film will now begin its journey through the festival circuit, with submissions planned for a variety of regional, national, and international festivals. The production team hopes the film will resonate with audiences who appreciate authentic stories of growth, leadership, and the enduring spirit of the American West.