Encore: A Film Born in Music, Inspired by Nature—Reimagining the Future for Glen Canyon

Directed by James Q Martin

In April 2026, award-winning musicians Laurie Lewis, Tyler Grant, Peter McLaughlin, and Chris Brashear spent five days in the Escalante arm of Glen Canyon filming, recording, and making music. They were joined by director James Q Martin, who has made impact-driven films at the intersection of art and environment for over three decades. Collaborators also include Emmy Award-winning director of photography Jim Hurst; filmmaker and environmental storyteller Ella Warnick; writer Zak Podmore; and river guide Cody Little. All bring extensive expertise and dedication to this project. We are creating a film that uses music, art, landscape and personal experience to bring Glen Canyon’s story to audiences who may never have experienced this remarkable place.

Why music? Because music can reach people in ways that facts and statistics cannot. A song can create an emotional connection to a place, spark curiosity and inspire people to imagine what is possible.

And the timing could not be more important.

The Colorado River and the American Southwest are facing profound challenges as drought, water scarcity and changing conditions force us to reconsider long-standing assumptions about how we manage this precious resource. At the same time, as Lake Powell’s water levels decline, Glen Canyon is reemerging—creating an extraordinary opportunity to reconsider its future and the river’s future.