Wood Hood

A documentary short film about the TRANSFORMATIVE power of nature

WINNER: Best Short Film – 2022 Banff Mountain Film Festival

Wood Hood tells the story of DeVaughn, a teenager from New York City who joins a group of young men of color on a camping trip with Camping to Connect. As the group disconnects from city life, they navigate vulnerability, brotherhood, and the quiet power of being seen. The film explores the question of who belongs in nature—and how the outdoors can become a place of healing, growth, and connection.

Director: Alex Cullen
Producers: Manny Almonte; Andy Isaacson
DP: Darren Joe
Additional camera: Alex Seel, Alex Cullen
Editor: Dan Roman
Color: Dungeon Beach
Featuring: JD Weatherspoon, Carlos Davila, David Lopez and many others

Made possible by a grant from Patagonia.

“This coming of age story is a stunningly beautiful and deeply loving portrait of a young Black man facing challenges that have changed him from social butterfly to loner. This is a hopeful and real glimpse of what is possible when community shows up for youth and they are allowed and invited to thrive. ”
— Faith E. Briggs, Jury Member, 2022 Banff Mountain Film Festival

If you'd like to host a screening and/or panel conversation about Wood Hood, or our Camping to Connect outdoor mentorship program, please complete the short form below.

  • World Premiere: 2022 Mountainfilm Festival (Telluride, CO)

  • Winner, Best Short Film: 2022 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival (Alberta, Canada)

  • Winner, Act Now! Award: 2022 Crested Butte Film Festival (Crested Butte, CO)

  • Winner, Best Live Action Short: 2024 BAMkids Film Festival (Brooklyn, NY)

  • Official Selection: Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour (40 different countries)

  • Official Selection: 2022 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (BC, Canada)

  • Official Selection: 2022 Kendal Mountain Festival (United Kingdom)

  • Official Selection: 2022 Washington West Film Festival (Tyson, VA)

  • Official Selection: 2022 New York Shorts Film Festival (New York, NY)

  • Official Selection: 2023 Wild & Scenic Film Festival (Grass Valley, CA)

  • Official Selection: 2023 Boulder International Film Festival (Boulder, CO)

  • Official Selection: 2023 Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital (Washington, DC)

  • Official Selection: 2023 Maine Outdoor Film Festival

  • Official Selection: 2024 World Trails Film Festival (Ottawa, Canada)

  • Official Selection: 2024 Mountainfilm Adventure Shorts, Presented by REI Co-op and AMC Theatres

Laurel wreath design with text 'Official Selection Mountainfilm 2022' in the center.
Logo for the 2022 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, featuring stylized antlers surrounding the event name.
Black award ribbon with the text "Winner of the Year" in the center, surrounded by laurel branches.
Black silhouette of a cat sitting with a curved tail against a white background.
Laurel wreath surrounding text indicating it is an official selection at the 2023 Boulder International Film Festival, including the words 'Boulder,' 'International,' 'Film,' and the year '2023', with the word 'Boulder' and 'Film' highlighted in red.
A black-and-white technical illustration of a knee joint with detailed annotations and labels, showing bones, ligaments, and surrounding structures.
A black trophy or award with a gold rim and ribbon, featuring an emblem in the center with the text "Winner" and the phrase "Best Performance".
Laurel branches surrounding text that reads 'DCFF 2023 Official Selection Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital'.
Official selection badge for the Kendal Mountain Festival 2022 featuring laurel leaves and mountain silhouette.
Black laurel wreath with the words "Winner of the Best Design Award" in the center.
Black and white line drawing of a man sitting on a bench with a dog.
Design for The Lower East Side Film Festival 2022, featuring a black laurel wreath with text inside, including the festival name, year, and official selection label.
Official selection of the Trials Film Festival in Ottawa, Canada, 2024, featuring a stylized laurel wreath design.
black and white drawing of a wolf howling on a landscape with trees and clouds
Black and white chessboard with kings and queens
Text on a black background that reads 'LIFE IS BETTER WITH A DOG'.