NEVADA CITY, CA. (Dec. 1, 2022) – The South Yuba Rivers Citizens League’s (SRYCL) Wild & Scenic Film Festival has unveiled its full lineup of over 100 environmental and adventure films, including eight world premieres and five US premiers, to be shown at its 20th annual event happening in person January 13-17 and online January 13-23, 2022. Passes and tickets for this year’s event are now available for purchase at WSFF.eventive.org.
For two decades, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival (WSFF) has welcomed audiences to Nevada County, CA, for its annual event each January. “We can’t wait to return with in-person programming in 2022 as part of our hybrid festival. Not having an in-person event in 2021 was a big disappointment for SYRCL and the community,” said Melinda Booth, SYRCL’s Executive Director. “For seasoned festival attendees, however, things will be a bit different this year in an effort prioritize community safety.“
Attendees must reserve specific film sessions and venues in advance; every event is separately ticketed. Fewer tickets will be available this year due to a reduction in the number of venues as well as reduced capacity within those venues. COVID-19 protocols will be in place, including vaccine and mask requirements for all in-person attendees including staff, volunteers, and filmmakers.
“The health and wellbeing of our small community is central to our work here at SYRCL and the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. These decisions have come as the result of many in-depth conversations with the local health department and medical professionals. We realize there are a variety of reasons why attendees may be unable or unwilling to vaccinate which is why we are happy to provide a virtual online alternative to the in-person festivities should that be the case,” Booth stated.
The festival will feature many mainstay elements including workshops at the Earthjustice Activist Center, a virtual art exhibition, youth programs, virtual EnviroFair, filmmaker Q&A sessions after in-person screenings, as well as opportunities to interact with filmmakers and special guests. Wild & Scenic’s 20th annual festival will continue to bring together top filmmakers, activists, and social innovators to inspire environmental awareness and action. As always, this event serves as SYRCL’s largest fundraiser, supporting their year-round work to protect and restore the Yuba River watershed.
Currents of Hope was chosen as the theme for our 20th anniversary. “The theme speaks to momentum toward a brighter future. In aligning the festival with this theme, we envision a hopefulness grounded in tangible and measurable action, constantly moving us forward like the mighty rivers that are the lifeblood of this planet,” shared Festival Producer, Eric Dunn. Artist Maile Claire created the official 2022 artwork with this idea in mind, and audiences can expect to see it reflected throughout this year’s programming.
To learn more and purchase passes or tickets visit WSFF.eventive.org
Some of the marquee films presented at the 19th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival include:
Black Ice – A crew of aspiring ice climbers from the Memphis Rox gym travels to the frozen wilds of Montana, where mentors Manoah Ainuu, Conrad Anker and Fred Campbell share their love of winter adventure in the mountains.
Inhabitants – For millennia Native Americans successfully stewarded and shaped their landscapes, but centuries of colonization have disrupted their ability to maintain their traditional land management practices. From deserts, coastlines, forests, mountains, and prairies, Native communities across the US are restoring their ancient relationships with the land. The five stories include sustaining traditions of Hopi dryland farming in Arizona; restoring buffalo to the Blackfeet reservation in Montana; maintaining sustainable forestry on the Menominee reservation in Wisconsin; reviving native food forests in Hawaii; and returning prescribed fire to the landscape by the Karuk Tribe of California. As the climate crisis escalates these time-tested practices of North America’s original inhabitants are becoming increasingly essential in a rapidly changing world.
The Seeds of Vandana Shiva – How did the willful daughter of a Himalayan Forest conservator become Monsanto’s worst nightmare? The Seeds of Vandana Shiva tells the remarkable life story of Gandhian eco-activist Dr. Vandana Shiva, how she stood up to the corporate Goliaths of industrial agriculture, rose to prominence in the ecological food movement, and is inspiring an international crusade for change.
My Garden of a Thousand Bees – A veteran wildlife cameraman seeking refuge from the pandemic records the wild bees that live in his city garden with mind-blowing results. From giant bumblebees to scissor bees the size of a mosquito, he sees over 60 species of bee. More importantly, he develops a close relationship with an individual bee he follows through its entire life.
ABOUT THE 2022 WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL
One of the nation’s largest environmental and adventure film festivals, the 20th 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. Festivalgoers 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) January 13 – January 17, 2022 and funds raised support their year-round work to protect and restore the Yuba River watershed. This flagship festival kicks off a nationwide tour bringing Wild & Scenic films to more than 75,000 people annually.
For more information, visit https://www.WildandScenicFilmFestival.org