Decades after a life-changing journey, friends are corralling footage entrusted in their care by a late friend and forging the path he wanted – making a feature documentary “preserving his impact.”
Twenty years ago, Brad Jacobsen accomplished what many believed was impossible.
Jacobsen’s life changed in spring 1994 when an accident left him living life as a quadriplegic. Jacobsen refused to accept that adventure, wilderness, and purpose were no longer part of his future: He continued to live life ziplining, skydiving, bungee jumping, and traversing the wild West Coast Trail with nine of his friends.
Stretching along the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, the trail is widely regarded as one of Canada’s most demanding backcountry hikes, known for its remote terrain, steep ladders, unpredictable weather and physical challenges.
READ ALSO: ‘Doing it for pops’: Victoria News rider Tony Trozzo takes on Tour de Rock
READ ALSO: Micro grants of love: Victoria grassroots charity funds youth building community
Jacobsen died in 2021, and now friends are coming together to create the film he always wanted to see come to life – a story that captures not only his remarkable journey, but the friendships, resilience, and community that made it possible.
He entrusted friends and filmmakers Chelsea McEvoy and Jordan Kerton with archival footage, tapes, and materials collected over nearly two decades; pieces of a story he hoped would one day inspire others facing unimaginable circumstances.
“Brad wasn’t simply a friend,” co-director McEvoy said. “He was a mentor, a peer, and someone who shaped countless lives. Completing this film is not only about preserving his story; it’s about preserving his impact.”
The feature documentary Standing Spirit Project, from British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society (BCMOS) in Creative Partnership with 8 Fold Films, would make that dream come true. The project is currently fundraising to help bring the film to completion.
The film explores Jacobsen’s historic journey across the West Coast Trail, including trail riding, kayaking sections of the route, navigating ladders, and adapting to seemingly impossible terrain, but also the larger conversation around accessibility, inclusion, and access to outdoor spaces.
READ ALSO: You can thank bats for tequila’ and other juicy tidbits as B.C. bats emerge
READ ALSO: Metchosin singer songwriter launches much-adored Love You Man
“This film is not simply about what Brad accomplished 20 years ago. It’s about what happens when a community carries someone’s dream forward long after they’re gone,” McEvoy said. “This is our opportunity to ensure Brad’s story continues to inspire future generations. His life changed the people around him. Now we want his story to continue changing others.”
BCMOS is now launching fundraising efforts to complete production, post-production, archival restoration, editing, sound design, distribution and final delivery of the feature documentary.
To learn more, visit 8foldfilms.com/standing-spirit-project.