Experience The Paper Bear’s Unfolding Story

By Katie Ogletree

Gulf Coast Floridians, how lucky are we to have such a beautiful original film made in our own backyard? If you haven’t seen The Paper Bear, this is your sign to stream it or attend a local screening event!

The Paper Bear follows Max, a boy who is glued to his phone, and his father, an experienced outdoorsman. They spend a week in the Florida Panhandle tracking a young black bear. The film is ultimately about a father and son reconnecting, Max learning to appreciate nature, and understanding why Florida’s wilderness needs protection. Blending live-action footage of Florida’s black bears with hand-drawn animation, the feature film has carried its message of family, conservation, and connection to nature to audiences well beyond the Panhandle.

Most of the scenes were filmed in Northwest Florida, particularly around Walton County, which is considered one of North America’s five richest biodiversity hotspots. The filmmakers also shot in places including Apalachicola National Forest and Blackwater River State Park. Arix Zalace, the film’s Director, spent more than two and a half years filming wild Florida black bears in their natural habitat.

What began as a deeply personal story rooted in the forests and coastal wilds of Northwest Florida has grown into an international journey for The Paper Bear. It made its world premiere at the Florida Film Festival in Orlando in April 2025. The film was selected from nearly 3,000 submissions, with only 187 films ultimately included in the festival lineup. The film’s festival journey continued overseas with an official selection at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia in Spain. The Paper Bear was selected in the festival’s Family Films category.

Lisa Marie Burwell, Kelli Carter, Arix Zalace, and Laurie Hood on the set of a special VIE Speaks podcast episode about The Paper Bear

Although it is not technically a film festival selection, one of The Paper Bear’s most significant honors came through the 2025 Jackson Wild Media Awards, widely considered the “Oscars of environmental filmmaking.” The film was named a finalist in the Trailblazer category, selected from more than 500 entries worldwide.

The local community journey is continuing with a screening at Alaqua Animal Refuge on September 19, 2026, in partnership with St. Joe Community Foundation. It will include a tour of the refuge and refreshments, beginning at 5:00 p.m. A special Alys Beach screening on September 25 is also listed as part of an exciting Merchant Walkabout and movie night with kids’ activities, photo ops, and more. Both events are free and open to the public!

Perhaps the most meaningful part of it all isn’t the festivals, screenings, or accolades—it’s the conversations the film continues to inspire. The Paper Bear reminds us that some of the most important stories are the ones that teach us to slow down, look around, and care about the world we’ve been given. Stay tuned for more news and upcoming screening events in Northwest Florida and beyond.

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Visit ThePaperBear.org to learn more, and stream The Paper Bear now on Apple TV or Amazon Prime! You can also hear an extended conversation with director Arix Zalace, Alaqua Animal Refuge founder Laurie Hood, and Walton County director of marketing Kelli Carter on VIE Speaks: Conversations with Heart & Soul Podcast hosted by our CEO/editor-in-chief, Lisa Marie Burwell.