Wild & Scenic Film Fest in Nevada City inspires action
Films and workshops show people taking charge of their lives--and our planet’s future
Founded in 2003 by the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival is now the largest festival of its kind in the United States.
The event, which takes place January 11-13, 2008 features more than 125 films – ranging from 100 minutes to 1 minute long – as well as 70 speakers and 50 premieres. The movies are clustered in scenic venues all over the historic town of Nevada City, which will transform into a cinematic wonderland for the weekend, with special events, including art shows and receptions, free workshops, chats with the filmmakers, a wine stroll, and much more.
"Our theme, "Turning The Tide" sets the tone for the Festival this year", says Kathy Dotson, the Festival's Director. "We have chosen films that not only expose environmental problems and issues, but also show how so many people are taking responsibility for making changes-changes that are improving their lives and the health of the planet. Our goal is to inspire people to join together to take action. "
The films are better than ever this year and reflect a growing concern with issues that aren't reported on prime time TV or in commercial cinema releases. "Many of our films feature heroic people who take great risks to tell truths that need to be told about serious issues" adds Jason Rainey, SYRCL's Executive Director, "And we're delighted that so many of the people featured in the movies will be here to talk about how they're working to make our world a better place."
Tickets on sale now – early purchase recommended
The Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival sells out every year, and organizers recommend buying tickets early, either online at www.wseff.org, or by phone at 530-265-5961. In Nevada City, you can go to SYRCL's headquarters located at 216 Main Street, to purchase tickets in person.
Film and festival highlights include:
- 120 films, with issues ranging from living with grizzlies to pacific reef sharks; films with subjects varying from the lifecycle of a paper coffee cup in "For the Price of a Cup of Coffee" to the struggle of global warming messengers in "Everything's Cool", to an activist rock-club in New York City in "Wetlands Preserved" featuring AniDiFranco, Phish and more.
- Children's environmentally-focused fun films on Saturday morning.
- Ocean explorer Jon Bowermaster and his two new films: "Into the Altiplano" and "Dangerous Archipelago."
- Rex Wyler, writer, journalist, ecologist and historian and co-founder of Greenpeace International. He sailed on the first Greenpeace whale campaign and is featured in the film "Greenpeace."
- World class adventurers like Jeremy Jones, a legend in big-mountain snowboarding with more than 20 action-sports films to his credit, Jones has traveled the globe, from Russia's Caucasus Mountains to the Chilean Andes, to find the best runs.
- Legendary 92-year old activist Martin Litton, one of the first people to ever float the Grand Canyon, staunch opponent of the Glen Canyon Dam and campaigner for the Redwood National Park.
- Partnerships with Al Gore's Current.tv, urth.tv and Channel G who will be presenting at a free workshop entitled "How to Leverage the Internet for Environmental Change."
- A special live performance of "SeaChange: Reversing the Tide" by Roger Payne and Lisa Harrow. Roger, best-known for discovering the "songs" of humpback whales, appears with his award –winning actress-wife Lisa in a performance on Saturday night, which combines their knowledge of science with the wisdom of poetry.
- Free workshops led by filmmakers and activists on subjects ranging from dam removal to clean energy.
- Lots more free events: 12 art shows, wine stroll throughout town, opportunities to meet filmmakers, free parties, music by local musicians and much more.
A celebration of the Yuba Watershed
Proceeds from the festival are used to preserve, protect and restore the Yuba Watershed. This year, the festival also launches SYRCL's anniversary celebration of 25 years of work to protect the beautiful Yuba river, while communicating the nonprofit's vision for the next 25 years of river restoration. A cash prize is being offered for the best film in the "I Love the Yuba" film category.
What people are saying about the festival
You never know who you might bump into at the Festival:
Darryl Hannah and Charris Ford, bio-diesel activists and former attendees at the Festival say they "...fell in love with the Wild and Scenic Film Festival! How refreshing to be part of an event that not only entertains but actually inspires participants to make this world a better place!"
"The Wild and Scenic Film Festival is a small bio-regional treasure from the Yuba River watershed. A delightful blend of culture, cuisine, eco-consciousness and plain old fun. I'm glad that I could inaugurate the first one and look forward to what I hope will be an enduring tradition," said Peter Coyote, writer, actor, and activist.
"As a result of conversations at the festival, I ended up leading a team of kayakers with their caving/conservation expedition to Papua New Guinea. Not only were we involved in a great conservation/research project, but for our kayaking expedition we were awarded National Geographic "Adventurer of the Year." Trip Jennings, Director "Decades-Born In Fire"
"I love your festival, and your town. Sundance must have been like that, the first few years – an undiscovered jewel of the film festival world," said filmmaker Steve Furman.
"Some of the films made laugh me and some made me cry. They all left indelible prints on my memory. As a teacher, I was motivated by the films to work with my students in making more positive changes in the world," said Sarah Hitchcock, 5th grade teacher, Santa Cruz.
Patagonia has been the primary sponsor of the film festival since 2003. The Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Nevada City is a kick-off for the nationwide tour. Since 2004, the tour has traveled to more than 30 US cities.
Keep checking the website www.wseff.org for the latest news about this exciting event and don't forget to buy your tickets early.
WHAT: 6th Annual Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival: 120 films, 40 premieres, 70 speakers, 4 free opening receptions, free workshops and ‘meet the filmmaker' discussions, live music, 17 art shows and more
WHEN: Friday-Sunday January 11-13, 2008
WHERE: Various locations around Nevada City, check www.wseff.org for specific times, dates and venues
ADMISSION: Tickets range in price from $5 for children's cartoon morning to $90 for a weekend pass. Wide variety of ticket packages from which to choose.
INFORMATION, PROGRAM and TICKETS: Call (530)265-5961 or www.wseff.org. Or pick up a program at 216 Main Street, downtown Nevada City.
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