Nevada City, CA – The 23rd annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, hosted by the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), concluded this past Monday, after a vibrant five-day showcase filled with environmental and adventure films. The event simultaneously served as a fundraiser for SYRCL and brought together almost a hundred filmmakers along with thousands of visitors from around the globe in the scenic locales of Nevada City and Grass Valley, California.
The festival kicked off on February 13 and, over the subsequent days, presented an impressive lineup featuring over 100 films with 14 world premieres and various U.S., West Coast, and California premieres. It was not only a cinematic celebration but also included workshops, panels, art exhibitions, and immersive virtual reality experiences, aimed at informing, inspiring, and igniting solutions to restore the Earth and foster positive community ties.
A broad range of topics were covered through the films shown, addressing issues from nature conservation to community activism and environmental justice, intertwined with thrilling adventure narratives. These films were selected to not only entertain but also encourage discussions and actionable insights on pressing environmental challenges faced globally.
Judging the entries this year was a panel made up of seasoned experts from the environmental and film sectors, including representatives from various prestigious events and institutions like the Banff Mountain Film Festival and the Mendocino Film Festival. Awards were distributed across multiple categories including the Best of Festival, Best in Theme, and more, reflecting the diversity and richness of the submissions.
Among the awarded, ‘Mollie’s Pack’ took home the Best of Festival Award, while ‘The Memory of Darkness, Light, and Ice’ was honored with the John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award. Festival attendees also had their voices heard, casting votes that ultimately awarded ‘A Radical Thread’ with the People’s Choice Award.
Additionally, a special segment for younger audiences was curated, with the Kid’s Jury, led by SYRCL co-founder Janet Cohen, choosing ‘Cactus Hotel’ as the Best Children’s Film. This initiative highlighted the festival’s commitment to making environmental education accessible to all ages.
Following the festival closure, SYRCL expressed heartfelt gratitude towards all participants, volunteers, and filmmakers whose dedication and creative expressions contributed to the event’s grand success. The league has already set the dates for the 24th annual event, ensuring that the legacy of this significant environmental cinematic experience continues.
As the festival concluded in Grass Valley and Nevada City, plans for the nationwide tour of selected films were announced. This annual tour aims to propagate the festival’s mission, bringing these thought-provoking films to an even wider audience, estimated to reach over 30,000 people across various states.
The South Yuba River Citizens League remains at the forefront of advocating for the conservation of the Yuba River watershed, harnessing community support through impactful events like the Wild & Scenic Film Festival to foster a sustainable future.
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