For the 2024 Chêne Film Festival, we sat down with the filmmakers to bring you an exclusive Behind the Lens look at each film. The next film in this series is the Outfox film “Inherit.” We sat down with Outfox’s founder Austin Gauthier, the mastermind behind the film. The film follows Christian Johnson, a firefighter and outdoorsman, as he returns to the outdoors seeking comfort after a recent loss. To learn more about the film check out the full interview below.
Split Reed: First off, congratulations on an excellent film. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey into waterfowl hunting and filmmaking?
Austin: “I began my journey into filmmaking back in high school, where I started filming extreme sports purely for fun. Over time, that hobby evolved into a business, eventually leading to the creation of a scalable business model. For over a decade, my production company has grown, and as of 2023, it has rebranded into a full-service marketing agency specializing in brand building, identity, recognition, and advertising strategies. My connection with the outdoors, however, goes back further—to my earliest memories with my friends and family. The outdoors has always been a refuge for me, a place to escape reality, find peace, and connect with nature. Currently, I own and operate Outfox alongside a dedicated team of about 15-16 people. Together, we work to bring our clients’ visions to life in a collaborative and creative environment.”
Split Reed: What was the inspiration behind making this film a reality?
Austin: “I first met Christian about a year ago and was moved by his story, particularly the loss of his father. Personally, I can’t imagine the pain of losing my own father, yet Christian always carried himself with a sense of optimism. That positivity, I learned, stemmed from the connection his father fostered with him through the outdoors. Hunting and being in nature became Christian’s way of feeling closest to his dad. After learning more about their bond and how the outdoors played such a healing role in his life, I knew this story needed to be told. That’s what inspired the creation of this film.”
Split Reed: Can you tell us about the film’s characters?
Austin: “Christian Johnson, the film’s main character, grew up hunting alongside his siblings, all of whom shared a close bond with their father. The outdoors served as a way to keep them connected, whether through ice fishing, elk hunting, waterfowl hunting, or big game pursuits. What’s particularly compelling about Christian and his family is how they’ve drawn together during an incredibly tough time. Despite the difficulty of losing their father, their love for each other and their passion for the outdoors have helped them remain strong. The film captures how they support one another, even when it’s not always easy, and how they use the outdoors as a means of healing and unity.”
Split Reed: What was your favorite part about the filming process?
Austin: “One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was experiencing the natural beauty that Colorado offers. The outdoor diversity, from waterfowl hunting to ice fishing, provided some very rewarding landscapes to film. Colorado’s scenery played an integral role in capturing the essence of the story, adding an additional layer of depth and meaning to the film.”
Split Reed: What challenges did you face making this film come together?
Austin: “The most challenging aspect of this project was delving into Christian’s relationship with his father and extracting the core of his story. His father had passed away less than a year before we started filming Inherit, so discussing such recent and raw emotions was understandably difficult for Christian. It took time to help him feel comfortable enough to open up about these personal experiences, but once he did, the emotional honesty became the heart of the film.”
Split Reed: When watching Inherit, waterfowl hunting, fishing, and big game hunting are all mentioned throughout the film. What made you decide to cover all aspects of outdoor pursuits in a waterfowl film?
Austin: “From a branding perspective, I thought it was essential to showcase the versatility of Chêne Gear’s apparel across various outdoor activities, not just waterfowl hunting. Chêne Gear is known for creating gear built to endure the harshest conditions, so this film became an opportunity to highlight its functionality across a range of environments. By including other outdoor pursuits, we demonstrated that their apparel is equally effective whether you’re in the field for waterfowl, navigating for big game, or drilling holes for ice fishing.”
Split Reed: Watching Inherit, it becomes clear it focused on the story rather than the hunting. Is this something you made a conscious effort to do, and do you feel more waterfowl hunting films are trending toward this?
Austin: “Absolutely, this was a deliberate choice. I believe the outdoor film industry has lost a bit of its spark when it comes to storytelling. So much of the content we see today focuses on the hunt itself—kills, trophies, successful trips—whereas I wanted to create something more meaningful and narrative-driven. The outdoors offers so much more than just the act of hunting, and films should reflect that. I wanted to emphasize the emotional connections we have with nature and how these experiences shape us. I think there’s a shift happening with events like the Chêne Gear Film Festival, but there’s still work to be done in elevating outdoor films beyond surface-level action to embrace deeper stories.”
Split Reed: How do you hope Inherit inspires your audience, and are there any key messages you hope they take home?
Austin: “I hope the audience comes to the film festival ready to fully engage, not just with Inherit, but with all of the films. These stories deserve attention, and I hope people can take away a deeper appreciation for lengthier films. With Inherit, my goal is for viewers to reflect on the power of nature, the significance of family, and the personal stories that often go untold in outdoor films. If the film inspires even one person to see the outdoors as more than just a place to hunt but also a space for connection, then I believe we’ve succeeded.”
Split Reed: Without giving too much away, can you give us any hints about what’s next?
Austin: “We’re fortunate to work across various industries, so we’re never confined to just one space. While we have several projects in the pipeline, including some industrial-branded content, we always keep our options open. We specialize in brand films, but along the way, we also create marketing assets like visual effects, branded animations, and advertising materials. There’s always something exciting on the horizon, and we’re constantly evolving with our clients’ needs.”
Split Reed: Is there anything else that you would like to add or anyone you want to thank for helping make this film possible?
Austin: “I owe so much to my team, who worked tirelessly to bring this film to life. My director, Tony Kosack, and Co-Director, Giovani Shirley, were instrumental, and the crew I work with closely at Chêne—Dylan Farrell, Reid Strange, John Strange, Field Norris, and many others—played pivotal roles in making this project possible. I’m grateful for everyone’s efforts and commitment.”
