[Cover photo features composer Elizabeth P.W.]
Out There: A National Parks Story is the award-winning documentary sharing human stories behind America’s wildest places, and it is now out to rent and purchase at www.outthere.film. The film is being released directly to audiences through a custom-built platform, “reflecting the filmmakers’ commitment to independent storytelling and creative ownership.”
The release also supports the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), with $5 from each $9.99 rental and $8 from each $19.99 purchase from August 22 through September 26, 2026, donated to the organization.
Also released and out now is the official music video for “Head West”, the film’s featured track performed by Indie-Folk artist and composer Elizabeth P.W. and written exclusively for the documentary.
“Head West” offers a preview of the music from Out There: A National Parks Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, a mix of original songs and score, with guest features from singer/songwriter Taylor Ashton and Mary Webster of the band Upstate. The soundtrack is set to be released on September 25, 2026.
Regarding the documentary, what began as a post-college summer road trip to explore America’s national parks evolved into a film about “human connection and the untold stories found within these remarkable places.” The film follows the people who “protect, visit, and find healing in the parks, offering an intimate look at the lasting impact these landscapes have on the lives they touch.”
Following a festival run and nationwide community screenings, the film has brought together audiences, park staff, nonprofit leaders, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts around a shared appreciation of America’s public lands.
About National Parks Conservation Association:
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
About Brendan Hall:
Brendan Hall is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, director, cinematographer, editor, and speaker whose work spans land, space and the depths of the sea, exploring the intersection of adventure, the natural world and the human experience. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, he has created films for National Geographic, Google, Adobe, and The Nature Conservancy, with cinematography featured in documentaries for PBS and Apple TV+. In 2022, Hall was selected from more than one million applicants worldwide for the planned dearMoon civilian lunar mission. While the mission was ultimately canceled, the selection underscored his lifelong pursuit of exploration and discovery. In 2025, he was named to The Explorers Club’s EC50, recognizing 50 individuals shaping the future of exploration. His debut feature documentary, OUT THERE: A National Parks Story, follows a seven-year journey through America’s national parks, reflecting his passion for using storytelling to inspire curiosity, connection, and conservation.
About Elizabeth P.W.:
Elizabeth P.W. is a Hollywood Music in Media Award-nominated composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer whose work blends folk influences with contemporary cinematic storytelling. An adjunct professor in NYU’s Screen Scoring department, her music has been featured in films and series for Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, and PBS, and in films that premiered at Tribeca Festival and DOC NYC. She composed the original songs and score for OUT THERE: A National Parks Story including “Head West,” the film’s featured song. Other recent scoring work includes Caregiving (PBS), Breaking Glass: The Pat Summit Story (ABC/Hulu) and The Telepathy Tapes Podcast. She is a recipient of the Alan Menken Scholarship.
