Amidst the wild beauty of the Yukon, a young couple’s endurance and bond are tested to the limits as they face the gruelling Yukon River Quest together, revealing the profound strength of their love and commitment to each other.

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Synopsis

In ‘Power Quest: Adventure of a Lifetime,’ Madison and Jeremy, a young couple, confront the physical and emotional extremes of the Yukon River Quest, the world’s most gruelling wilderness paddle race. Their journey, along the stunning yet harsh waters of the Yukon River, becomes a test of their endurance and their relationship, challenging them to find deeper strength in their partnership. Directed by Madison’s father, Dave Stephens, this documentary captures the essence of human resilience against the backdrop of nature’s majestic beauty, offering a unique perspective on love, relationships, and what it takes to overcome adversity – both within oneself, and with another.

Genre: inspirational adventure/expedition documentary.

Running time: 90 mins

Director: Dave Stephens

Producers: Dave Stephens, Lisa Santonato

Production Company: Collaborative Film Productions, Inc.

Year: 2024

Main Characters

Madison Power

Madison Power (24 years old) is the vibrant heart of the Power Couple, embodying the spirit and drive that catalyzed Madison and Jeremy’s participation in the Yukon River Quest, and the creation of the “Power Quest” movie. A dreamer at her core, Madison’s vision and passion are the driving forces behind the couple’s journey, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to her aspirations. However, Madison’s journey is not without its challenges. Her naïve optimism regarding the difficulties in realizing her dreams becomes apparent as she navigates the gruelling demands of the Yukon River Quest. This aspect of her character is poignantly explored in the documentary, showcasing her transition from an exuberant dreamer to someone who must confront and overcome her own limitations, while loving and supporting her partner. Madison’s character is defined by resilience and moments of doubt and confrontation, presenting a compelling portrait of a young woman fully engaged in the pursuit of her dreams, with the supportive backing of her husband, Jeremy. She epitomizes youthful optimism and commitment, reflecting the highs and lows of chasing dreams with relentless passion and the courage to face one’s own vulnerabilities head-on.

Jeremy De Kroon

Jeremy De Kroon (26 years old) forms the other half of the Power Couple, bringing a blend of practicality and passion to their collective journey. His dedication to supporting Madison’s dreams is matched by his own fervent engagement with the world around him. Jeremy’s intelligence is deeply practical, with a curious and inquisitive mind that thrives on understanding and fixing the mechanical intricacies of the world. Like Madison, Jeremy’s passion for the great outdoors complements the adventurous spirit of the Yukon River Quest. Currently pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree, Jeremy is driven by an insatiable curiosity about everything from electronics to the cosmos. His practical insights were essential in navigating the complexities of the couple’s preparation and resilience in facing the challenges of the Yukon River Quest. His ability to understand and implement what was necessary for the race’s success underscores his role as a pivotal figure in the realization of Madison’s dream. Together, Madison and Jeremy’s complementary strengths and shared commitment form the backbone of their quest, highlighting Jeremy’s integral contribution to their journey and the documentary’s narrative.

Jeremy de Kroon

Jeremy de Kroon (26 years old) forms the other half of the Power Couple, bringing a blend of practicality and passion to their collective journey. His dedication to supporting Madison’s dreams is matched by his own fervent engagement with the world around him. Jeremy’s intelligence is deeply practical, with a curious and inquisitive mind that thrives on understanding and fixing the mechanical intricacies of the world. Like Madison, Jeremy’s passion for the great outdoors complements the adventurous spirit of the Yukon River Quest. Currently pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree, Jeremy is driven by an insatiable curiosity about everything from electronics to the cosmos. His practical insights were essential in navigating the complexities of the couple’s preparation and resilience in facing the challenges of the Yukon River Quest. His ability to understand and implement what was necessary for the race’s success underscores his role as a pivotal figure in the realization of Madison’s dream. Together, Madison and Jeremy’s complementary strengths and shared commitment form the backbone of their quest, highlighting Jeremy’s integral contribution to their journey and the documentary’s narrative.

Producing Team

Dave Stephens

With over 27 years of experience developing software for real-time, mission-critical systems in Vancouver, BC, Dave Stephens’ expertise in project management shines through in his film career. His adeptness at conceiving, scheduling, and executing complex movie productions is evident in his debut film, ‘Power Quest: Adventure of a Lifetime’. As a competitive runner who has garnered awards across Canada, the US, and Europe for over two decades, Dave brings a profound understanding of endurance and competition to his work. His insights into the challenges of completing an epic marathon race like the Yukon River Quest infuse the documentary with themes of resilience. Dave is also a dedicated storyteller, having spent 3.5 years studying scene work with Kaaren de Silva at Deb Podowski Studios, and completing an intensive 8-month scriptwriting course with Paul Donnett at Writers Jump. As a first-time director, Dave’s ability to convey authenticity between his characters and the camera, while crafting narratives with clarity and vision, demonstrates his potential as a promising filmmaker capable of bringing compelling and engaging stories to life. 

Lisa Santonato

Lisa Santonato is a creative producer with over twenty years of experience spanning film, television, new media, publishing, and animation. As the Producer and a mentor to the director of “Power Quest: Adventure of a Lifetime,” Lisa brings her extensive expertise to this key project. A Toronto native, she earned her degree in Cinema Studies and Anthropology at the University of Toronto. In her formative years, Lisa worked at Nelvana Ltd., coordinating storyboards, scripts, and post-production for children’s animated television cartoons, most notably “The Magic School Bus” (1994-1995). She later moved to Vancouver where she spent three years as the Senior Editor of Taxi Vancouver, a free-press magazine that was among the first to transition online. In 1999, Lisa founded FTP Media Inc., where she specializes in video production, editing, and social media marketing, creating compelling online promo videos for clients in music, the arts, and non-profit sectors. Her early film credits include working as Second Unit Director on “Pop Stars: The One” (2002), Co-Director of the TVO-aired documentary “Reality Quest” through the Al Waxman OMDC Calling Card Program (2002), and during her role as Associate Producer at ZoomerMedia (Vision TV, 2011). Prior to joining the Power Quest team, Lisa helped bring a stalled project to life in her role as Associate Producer on the internationally acclaimed “Big Rude Jake: Pursuing the Pearl of Great Price” (2023), underscoring her commitment to mentoring and collaboration. In her role as Producer of “Power Quest,” Lisa’s leadership not only guides the film’s production but also its strategic marketing and distribution, ensuring the film reaches and inspires a broad audience. 

Craig McNeil

Craig is a seasoned music producer with over 25 years of experience creating sonic landscapes across diverse mediums, including music and film. His journey began by working with various bands, and he has consistently produced original music, showcasing a rich tapestry of creativity. Craig’s expertise extends to sound design, where he excels in shaping unique auditory experiences. His proficiency in creating captivating soundscapes has led to collaborations on a multitude of projects.

Michael Graeme

As the Camera Operator for “Power Quest: Adventure of a Lifetime”, Michael Graeme combines expertise and a deep passion for storytelling, significantly enriching the documentary. His self-taught skills in cinematography and keen ability to capture the Yukon River Quest’s spirit have been pivotal to the film’s visual narrative, blending the race’s physical demands with the emotional journeys of its participants. Michael’s approachable demeanour and enthusiasm provided unique access to the heart of the river quest community, facilitating intimate shots that might have otherwise been missed. This includes remarkable efforts like securing a spot on a patrol boat to capture essential moments, showcasing his dedication to the project. The impactful visuals Michael has recorded stand as a tribute to his artistic vision, offering viewers an immersive experience into the challenges and triumphs of the race. His personal investment in the film’s storytelling highlights not only his technical skills but also his profound connection to the adventure and emotion woven through “Power Quest: Adventure of a Lifetime.”

Evelyn Stephens

As a 2021 graduate of Capilano University’s Motion Picture Arts program, for Evelyn Stephens, filmmaking has been an everyday aspect of her life since grade school. From silly home iMovie projects with friends, to writing and directing her own high school projects, all the way to learning the proper industry standard practices and working in the Vancouver film industry for 2 years, Evelyn has always been passionate about cinema. Having recently moved from the industry to build an online life coaching practice, Evelyn now furthers her love of writing, filming, and editing through her social media presence and content creation practice. Her astute knowledge of social media provides an invaluable contribution to the marketing and promotional aspects of the movie throughout its online and festival release campaign.

Sue McKitrick

Sue has an Honours BA in Urban Development from Western University, London Ontario and a Master of Business Administration from York University, Toronto. Her career has been multi-faceted; she has worked in sales, leasing, consulting and advisory roles for businesses and commercial real estate developments and investments across Canada and overseas. Sue began her commercial real estate career working in the London Docklands, UK during its inception as well as London Transport Ltd. producing and managing construction scheduling and budgeting for the renovation of London Underground stations. Sue also worked in Toronto and New Delhi in real estate development, and she moved to Vancouver Island in 1997. As Senior VP & Associate Broker of the Victoria-based Royal LePage Commercial team with over 35 years of experience, Sue offers real estate trading, management, and consulting/advisory services. Sue is on the Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North board of directors and finance committee and is a board member of the Comox Valley Road Runners Society. Sue has been instrumental in guiding discussions regarding business decisions related to this movie, the framing of contracts with potential movie personnel, and generally bringing to bear her wealth of business knowledge in the setup of this production.

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