BOZEMAN — “Mavericks,” a documentary about Montana’s freestyle skiing legacy from Montana PBS, won the Non-Commercial Television Program of the Year award from the Montana Broadcasters Association in June.

Named on the award were Scott Sterling, director of production at Montana PBS and the film’s producer, director and editor; Kelly Gorham, the film’s producer and writer who also serves as director of visual media in MSU’s University Communications; and Aaron Pruitt, Montana PBS director and general manager and the film’s executive producer.

“I’m humbled to have our film recognized by other industry professionals in addition to the overwhelming response we’ve had from the public,” Gorham said.

“Mavericks” follows the careers of several Montana freestyle skiers, including Missoula’s Olympic gold medal winner Eric Bergoust, Butte’s Bryon Wilson and Whitefish’s Maggie Voisin. Using visuals from international competitions, archival footage and original cinematography, the film captures “the struggles, victories, unsurpassed work ethic and unbreakable spirit of some of the state’s most renowned athletes in a sport where mere seconds determine the outcome of a career,” according to Gorham.

The filmmakers call Montana freestyle skiers the “mavericks” of the sport, with multiple freestyle skiers from throughout the state getting their start on homemade jumps and then going on to impressive careers. Freestyle skiing is a sport comprising aerials, moguls, half-pipe, slopestyle and more, with skiers often performing aerial flips and spins. The film premiered on Montana PBS in January.

The Non-Commercial Television Program of the Year award is one of dozens of "EB Awards" named in memory of Montana broadcast pioneer Ed Craney. The awards are presented annually during the Montana Broadcasters Association convention to recognize excellence in local news, production, promotion and public service. They are sponsored by the Greater Montana Foundation, which Craney established to encourage communication — with an emphasis on electronic media — on issues and trends of importance to Montanans. More information is available at mtbroadcasters.org/awards/ebcraney/.

To learn more about “Mavericks,” and to watch it online, visit montanapbs.org/programs/mavericks/.