Katrin York
Directing
Biography
Katrin York is a filmmaker who splits her year between Hawaii and Alaska. Originally from Siberia, she studied film in Hollywood before focusing on documenting the planet's most remote places, from the Arctic to Africa. Alongside collaborations with conservation organizations like Sea Shepherd, Katrin works with outdoor brands, blending adventure with commercial storytelling. Her recent documentary, "Girls Riding High," an award-winning short focused on youth mental health, now touring festivals worldwide. Breaking the Tide is her most personal story yet, filmed with local cast and crew on Oʻahu.
Known For
Set in the wild expanse of Alaska, “Girls Riding High” follows 19-year-old mountain biker Lucy Hankins as she leads young girls through the breathtaking Kenai Mountain Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area. This inspiring documentary captures their grueling 25-mile overnight bike trip, showcasing how high-adrenaline sports can be a powerful tool for transformation. In a state grappling with the highest youth addiction rates and a national mental health crisis affecting teens, especially girls, Lucy’s program, inspired by the Icelandic model, demonstrates how adventure and nature can build confidence, resilience, and grit. “Girls Riding High” offers a moving portrait of how one individual’s passion can ignite profound change in their community and inspire a brighter future for Alaska’s youth.
Girls Riding High
On the North Shore of Oahu, siblings Jesse and Hunter are shaped by the unforgiving surf culture and their father's relentless pressure. What begins as playful dares escalates into a dangerous rivalry, pushing them toward a life-altering reckoning with their fears, their bond, and the powerful tides that control them both.