Project Grizzly

Project Grizzly is a humorous and unforgettable Canadian documentary that follows Troy Hurtubise, a North Bay inventor and scrap-metal worker, on his extraordinary quest to build and test a grizzly bear-proof suit of armor. After a near-fatal encounter with a bear, Troy becomes obsessed with creating the Ursus Mark VI, a full-body suit made of rubber, titanium, chain mail, and other advanced materials, designed to withstand the power of a grizzly attack.

Filmed in part around North Bay, Ontario, and in the Alberta wilderness, the documentary captures Troy’s relentless commitment as he subjects himself to extreme tests, from being hit by a truck to being struck by logs, all in the name of safety and innovation. Director Peter Lynch presents Troy’s story with humor, empathy, and awe, exploring the fine line between passion and obsession.

The film became a cult classic, transforming Troy into a national and international sensation. His eccentric determination, combined with his North Bay roots, made him both a beloved local legend and a global curiosity. In 1998, he was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Safety Engineering, a lighthearted scientific award that celebrates achievements which first make people laugh and then make them think. The recognition cemented his legacy as one of Canada’s most unconventional inventors, a creative mind from North Bay whose story continues to inspire filmmakers, engineers, and dreamers alike.

This film is part of 𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝: 𝘼 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, celebrating the rich legacy of filmmaking in and around North Bay.on Friday, November 14th, featuring Project Grizzly along with four other films shot locally over the past decades. Learn more about the full lineup →