Running Rabbit Documentary

Running Rabbit Documentary is a short film I made about my childhood friend Regan Running Rabbit and his journey into mixed martial arts. At its core, this film is about leaving home, stepping into discomfort, and committing fully to a vision, even when that path feels uncertain.

While MMA is the backdrop, this documentary is really about discipline, resilience, and learning how to make the uncomfortable familiar. Regan’s story became a way to explore identity, perseverance, and what it means to believe in yourself deeply enough to keep going.

The film follows Regan in the lead up to his December 2, 2022 fight, capturing the realities of preparation, pressure, and purpose. Regan’s hope has always been that his story could inspire his community in Siksika, and anyone watching, to take ownership of their path and trust their vision.

Why I Made This Film

I first met Regan in junior high school in Strathmore, Alberta. We bonded over heavy metal, hockey, art, and long conversations about life. After graduating in 2006, we went our separate ways. Regan pursued his childhood dream of becoming an MMA fighter, while I built a career in filmmaking, photography, and new media.

Years later, during the pandemic, we reconnected. Those conversations felt like picking up exactly where we left off. We talked a lot about creativity, purpose, and what we would make together once life returned to normal. Originally, we discussed making a short narrative film, but the more I learned about Regan’s journey, the clearer it became that his real life story was the one that needed to be told.

Even during the hardest moments of the pandemic, Regan carried himself with clarity and positivity. The person I knew as a kid had become someone deeply grounded and inspiring. I knew I had to document that.

Making the Documentary

The project was initially meant to be grant funded, but we missed the application deadline. That was discouraging. We had imagined a larger production with a full crew. After sitting with it for a while, I realized this film still needed to be made, regardless of budget or resources.

I called Regan and told him we would self fund the documentary and make it ourselves. He was immediately on board. We invested in equipment, planned the shoot, and committed to seeing it through.

In August 2022, we reunited in person for the first time in over 15 years. I pitched the idea of documenting Regan’s next fight, and he agreed without hesitation, even texting his promoter to secure a spot on the December fight card.

This film is intentionally raw and honest. I am my own harshest critic, and there are moments and decisions that make me cringe now. With hindsight, there are things I would absolutely do differently. But that honesty is part of what makes the film real, and I am proud of what we created.

Being by Regan’s side on fight night, surrounded by his community and supporters, confirmed that we made the right decision.

Regan Running Rabbit with Family & Friends after his Unified MMA fight.

Music and Soundtrack

The original soundtrack was created by my band, Goodbye Harmless, and it ended up being one of the most creatively rewarding parts of this project. Music plays a huge role in shaping the emotional tone of the film, and my goal was always to support the story without overpowering it.

One of the coolest elements of the entire project was collaborating with Regan and his uncle, Frank Turningrobe. Frank performed a traditional Blackfoot war dance song that opens the film. I took his performance and added subtle effects that blend directly into the intro, allowing the music to feel both grounded and cinematic. Working with Frank was an honour. He is someone I deeply admire, not only for his cultural knowledge and presence, but also because he worked on the soundtrack for one of my favourite games of all time, Red Dead Redemption II, contributing to several Indigenous inspired pieces. Having him involved in this project felt incredibly full circle.

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Regan and I also worked together on one of the central musical moments in the film. The song that sits in the middle and splits into two parts, a softer, more restrained section followed by an epic conclusion, was built entirely around a guitar riff Regan had been developing for a long time. I used a MIDI guitar to translate his riff into MIDI notes, which allowed us to reshape and expand the idea while still keeping the core of his original performance intact. That piece became a true collaboration between the two of us and a turning point in the film.

The final credits song, Those I’s, was used to close the documentary over a montage of Regan training. This footage didn’t quite fit into the main flow of the story, but I had the idea of smashing it together into a powerful outro. Unfortunately, looking at the metrics, most people stop watching before they reach this section. I really hope viewers take the time to stay through it, because I honestly believe it’s one of the most powerful moments in the film. It shows the blood, sweat, and tears that went into Regan’s training in a way that words can’t.

Those I’s was produced by myself and Darryl Swart at Park Hill Studios in 2017. For years, I didn’t know where the song belonged, but it finally found its home in this documentary. The lyrics are abstract, but they felt like a natural fit for the themes of the film. Huge shoutout to my good friend Kjel Erickson for singing on the track, and to Jason Graham for adding his powerful lead guitar work. Their contributions helped give the song the weight it needed to close the film.

Working on the music for Running Rabbit Documentary wasn’t just about scoring a film. It was about collaboration, trust, and bringing together different creative voices in a way that felt honest and meaningful.

Festival Run and Highlights

The film’s festival run became one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

One of the biggest highlights was watching Regan give his speech at the Central Alberta Film Festival when we won the Audience Choice Award. Hearing him speak with such passion and clarity made all of the hard work worth it.

Regan Running Rabbit and Bret Kenworthy Win Audience Choice Award at CAFF

Another unforgettable moment was screening the documentary at the Calgary Underground Film Festival. We showed the film in front of a packed house filled with friends and family, and winning the Audience Choice Award there as well was incredibly meaningful.

Being interviewed during the festival run was another surreal experience. Hearing Regan being interviewed on CBC and CJ92, among others, was something I never imagined when we started this project. I also had the opportunity to be interviewed on CJSW-FM, which was a thrill. You can listen to all of the press coverage linked here.

Releasing the trailer for the first time was another standout moment. Seeing the response and the excitement it generated was unexpected and incredibly encouraging.

Since completing the film, Regan has gone on to start a program where he trains youth, teaching discipline and life lessons through MMA. Seeing the impact extend beyond the film itself has been deeply rewarding.

Final Thoughts

Running Rabbit Documentary is the most meaningful project I have worked on to date. It represents a full circle moment for me, reconnecting with a friend, trusting my instincts, and investing in a story that mattered.

Regan’s message is simple: make the uncomfortable comfortable. He lives that mindset every day, and I am grateful to have been able to help share his story.

For more information about Regan and his journey, visit ReganRunningRabbit.com.

Awards & Festival Recognition