NEVADA CITY, CA – The South Yuba River Citizens League’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival has announced a preview of its 2027 lineup of environmental and adventure films to be shown at its 25th annual event happening February 18-22, 2027. Festival passes with special early bird pricing are now on sale. A limited number of these specially priced passes are available through December 12th, or as quantities allow. The full lineup of films will be released in mid-December along with additional regularly priced passes and tickets.
New this year in honor of the festival’s 25th anniversary is the introduction of the new 25th Anniversary Silver Reel Pass, a top-tier pass created just for the milestone year. The Silver Reel Pass includes everything in the All-Access Watershed Pass, a Virtual Pass, reserved seating with no reservations needed, and access to the Filmmaker Lounge, awards sessions and parties, Locals’ nights, and Saturday morning family-friendly films. Passholders also receive a limited-edition 25th Anniversary vinyl record, a commemorative anniversary poster, a year of free Wild & Scenic Film Festival Library rentals, a commemorative merch kit valued at $200, a dinner and movie ticket, and recognition as a Founding Silver Reel supporter.
For two and a half decades, SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival has welcomed audiences to the towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains for its flagship event. During the weekend of February 18-22, the festival takes over the towns.
The festival is not only about first-class films; it also features a variety of events, such as activist workshops, an art exhibition in partnership with the Nevada County Arts & Culture, youth programs serving 4,000+ students from local and regional schools, the EnviroFair, filmmaker Q&A sessions, as well as opportunities to interact with filmmakers and special guests. In its 25th year, SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival continues to bring together top filmmakers, activists, and social innovators to inspire environmental awareness and action.
“Momentum” is the guiding theme for the 25th anniversary of SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Momentum captures both the spirit of the environmental movements the festival has championed for a quarter century and the forward force of the festival itself. This theme recognizes that meaningful change is cumulative, built from years of collective action that compound over time into something lasting. Momentum will be everywhere during the festival and is evident in this year’s poster, designed by festival co-founder Kathy Dotson, as well as the re-introduction of live music during the festival thanks to a partnership with Madcap Records.
Twenty-five years of SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival represents over two decades of storytelling. What began as a celebration of the South Yuba River’s newly protected Wild & Scenic status has grown into one of the most respected environmental film festivals in the United States. It is a gathering place for filmmakers, activists, scientists, and audiences who believe that great cinema can change how people see the world and what they choose to do about it.
To learn more and purchase early bird passes, visit https://wsff2027.eventive.org. Stay tuned for the full lineup of films to be announced in December.
Volunteer shifts for the film festival will be opening on November 23rd. SYRCL relies on the time and talent of hundreds of volunteers to make the Wild & Scenic Film Festival a success every year. Volunteers at the festival have access to a number of perks, including complimentary session tickets. Go to YubaRiver.org to find out more about this incredible community volunteer opportunity.
Some of the marquee films presented at the 25th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival include:
To Hold a Mountain — In the remote highlands of Montenegro, a shepherd mother and daughter proudly defend their ancestral mountain from the threat of becoming a NATO military training ground, stirring memories of the violence that shattered their family. This film has been gathering awards everywhere, is on the Oscar documentary short list, and is Montenegro’s official submission for International Feature.
Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage – Directed by Liz McGregor, Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage follows Susan Baur, the 85-year-old leader, and her crew of fearless women as they defy limits, protect the environment, and rediscover wonder and joy through water and community. A reminder that adventure and activism know no age.
American River – American River is a short documentary following six whitewater boats of formerly incarcerated individuals, and a handful of mentors and allies, down the middle fork of the American River on a life-changing 3-day rafting trip. Many of the participants have never stepped foot in the wild, some can’t swim, but their work with California’s Anti-Recidivism Coalition’s reentry programs opens the door to this wild opportunity to trade cell walls for canyon walls, concrete for cold water, and constant vigilance for the radical possibility of peace.
Derek vs Derek — On a country road in Devon, intensive dairy farmer Derek Banbury is horrified at the “devastation” of his neighbor’s once productive farm. Dubbed a “maverick rewilder” by the media, Derek Gow is an unrepentant ex-sheep farmer hellbent on turning his land into an oasis for nature. Shot over three years, the film charts the two Derek’s turbulent relationship, as tempers fray, wild animals run amok, and the land is radically transformed. Made by BAFTA award winning director James Dawson, it’s a film about land use and farming told by farmers. This film is blunt, funny, and heartwarming in equal measure.
ABOUT THE 2027 WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL:
One of the nation’s largest environmental and adventure film festivals, the 25th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival combines stellar filmmaking, cinematography, and first-rate storytelling to inform, inspire, and ignite solutions to restore the earth and human communities while creating a positive future for generations to come. Festival goers are treated to a wide variety of award-winning films, including those about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy, wildlife, and environmental justice. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is hosted and produced by South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) February 18-22, 2027. This flagship festival kicks off a nationwide tour bringing Wild & Scenic films to more than 60,000 people annually.
For more information, visit https://www.WildandScenicFilmFestival.org
ABOUT SYRCL:
The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL, pronounced “circle”) is the leading voice for the protection and restoration of the Yuba River watershed. Founded in 1983 through a rural, grassroots campaign to defend the South Yuba River from proposed hydropower dams, SYRCL has developed into a vibrant community organization with over 3,500 members and volunteers based in Nevada City, CA. See: www.yubariver.org