PORTLAND, Oregon (May 5, 2026) — A documentary centered on BorderLands Gravel has been selected for the Nogales International Film Festival, bringing the story of one of the Southwest’s most distinctive gravel cycling events to the big screen.
Titled Get Your Gravel On: Gravel Racing in the Borderlands, the film will screen May 16 at 12:30 p.m. at Oasis Cinema 9 in Nogales as part of the festival’s Arizona programming block during the May 13–17 event.
The documentary explores the deeper identity of BorderLands Gravel beyond race results, focusing on the rugged desert terrain, cultural landscape, and complex history of the U.S.–Mexico border region. Riders travel routes including the historic Geronimo Trail, pedal alongside the border wall, and move through landscapes shaped by centuries of migration, trade, and shared history.
“This film represents what BorderLands Gravel has always been about,” said race organizer Mike Miller. “It’s not just about the ride. It’s about the place, the people, and the experience of being out there.”
The film’s selection marks a significant step for the event, reflecting its growing visibility beyond the gravel racing world as cycling events increasingly embrace storytelling, regional identity, and cultural connection alongside competition.
Known for its binational approach to storytelling, the Nogales International Film Festival hosts events on both sides of the border and features its signature Film on the Fence program, which projects films directly onto the border wall as a symbol of shared narratives and cross-border connection.
That emphasis on place and perspective aligns naturally with BorderLands Gravel, which has built a reputation for immersing riders in the realities and beauty of the borderlands region while showcasing southeastern Arizona as a destination for cycling and outdoor tourism.
What began as an effort to create a world-class gravel event in Douglas has evolved into something broader — part race, part cultural experience, and part storytelling platform — illustrating the growing role narrative-driven events now play within modern cycling culture.
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