FilmQuest 2026 Launches With Explosive Motorcycle Drama ‘Whiskey Throttle’ as Rowdy Crowd Celebrates Utah-Made Film

FilmQuest opened its 13th edition in Provo with a screening of “Whiskey Throttle”, a Utah-made motorcycle action film that drew cheers for its explosions, desert riding and practical stunts. The lively launch celebrated local genre filmmaking, with festival director Jonathan Martin welcoming the crowd and noting that none of the festival’s films used AI.

Directed by Jacob Schwarz, the film follows a biker gang pursuing a mysterious rider who has killed a cartel leader and stolen his crypto wallet. Producer Dave Hunter said his family and local network helped make the production, while Utah Film Commission manager Derek Mellus praised the state’s varied landscapes as a fit for road movies. The opening programme also paired the feature with two shorts: BYU student film “Relict” and Australian comedy “Marv”.