Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Nov 9

Banner has an illustration of a forested area and a wetland area. The forested area has trees and a fox. The wetland area has a river and some fish. At the top is the Wild & Scenic Film Festival logo and tag line "where activism gets inspired." In the middle, text says "November 9. Showings at The Bug Theatre in Denver & Online"

Rocky Mountain Wild is excited to be bringing The Wild & Scenic Film Festival back to Denver and live in your living room! You can either live stream the festival with whoever you are staying safe at home with on your own time, or you can join us for a showing at The Bug Theatre in Denver.

The evening will include award-winning environmental films, which have been selected not only for their great visual stories but also to inspire and motivate us to become or remain in right relationship with each other and the planet.

This film festival is made by activists for activists and sits apart from the hundreds of festivals around the world by leaving you inspired and motivated to go out and make a difference in your community and the world.

Want to help us advertise the event? Here’s our complete media kit!

Details for the Denver Showing

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Denver showing! We had an amazing time and hope you did too!

When: November 9, 7:00 – 9:00 MT with an opening reception at 6:30 pm.
Where: The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211.
Tickets: In-person tickets are available for $15 for an Individual ticket or $5 for an Economy ticket (for students, seniors, young professionals, or anyone else who may need a discounted option). Space is limited, so reserve your seat here.

Details for the Virtual Showing

When: The online video will be available on-demand starting on November 9 at 7:00 pm MT through November 13.
Where: Online, wherever you are!
Tickets: Virtual tickets are available for $10 for an Individual ticket or $35 for a group ticket (for parties of four people or more). Reserve your virtual ticket here.

Can’t pay but want to attend? While this event is replacing our largest fundraiser of the year, it is our goal that everyone who wants to watch the films can, regardless of their current financial situation. If you need a complimentary ticket for the virtual festival, please contact Chris at chris@rockymountainwild.org. We would love to have you at the event!

Wild & Scenic Raffle

Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle! It has now closed, and we will be announcing winners shortly!

This year, we are also hosting a raffle! Tickets are 1 for $3 or 10 for $25. Register for the raffle here.

Prizes you could win include:

  • A plush prairie dog adoption from Rocky Mountain Wild
  • A custom illustration by Chris Talbot-Heindl
  • A Peak Design Everyday Sling
  • An exclusive Rocky Mountain Wild embroidered tee shirt from Zusa
  • A 3-in-1 Splash Lunchbox from EcoLunchbox
  • A Bento Canister from EcoLunchbox
  • and more!

Wild & Scenic Community Action Hub

For years, we’ve paired the Wild & Scenic Film Festival with our Community Action Hub, which featured direct actions that festival attendees could take during the live event to make a real difference in Colorado and beyond.

Details on this year’s Wild & Scenic Community Action Hub coming soon.

Wild & Scenic Online Auction

As part of the fundraiser, we are hosting an online auction! The auction will open at noon MT on November 3 and will close at 9 pm MT on November 9. The raffle has been extended by request to midnight on November 13! Please bid often and generously! All proceeds will go toward our programming to protect wildlife and wild lands in the Southern Rocky Mountain region.

View the auction here (more items coming every day) and when you’re ready, register to bid!

Auction items donated by businesses that have made a commitment to sustainability (through 1% for the Planet, Climate Neutral Certification, The Conservation Alliance, Certifiably Green Denver, Good Food 100 Restaurants, Green America Certification, and/or another certifying body) are indicated with a 🐾

Auction items have been donated by these incredibly generous businesses (and there is much more to come!):

The Films

First Half

Films about being in right relationship with the land and wildlife.

Bring the Salmon Home

Bring the Salmon Home captures the emotions, courage, and determination of Klamath River tribal communities as they host a 300+ mile run from ocean to headwaters to cultivate support for the most prominent river restoration project in history.

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Sceenshot from Bring the Salmon Home showing a group of Indigenous people with a sign that says "Un-dam the Klamath now!"
A film still from "Motus Avium: A Mission to Save California's Last Wetlands" showing two people untangling a bird from a net.

Motus Avium: A Mission to Save California’s Last Wetlands

California’s wetlands have all but disappeared. But not all hope is lost. A coalition of scientists, farmers, conservationists and public agencies have come together to help restore vital wetlands throughout the state’s Central Valley. Motus Avium: A Mission to Save California’s Last Wetlands reveals how this group is finding unique ways to help support native and migratory birds.

True Wild

Val Asher is one of the world’s most knowledgeable biologists on wolf behavior. Having spent more than 20 years working with wolves – and more than 10 on Ted Turner’s Flying D ranch in Montana – her wisdom and insights are invaluable in demystifying one of North America’s most elusive animals.

CW: Mild, one time swearing and images of dead animals.

A film still from the film "True Wild" showing a wolf looking toward the right

Intermission

Second Half

Films about being in right relationship with each other.

A film still showing surf boards in the foreground and a group of BIPOC youth and their teacher in the background

Black Like Plastic—Nature, Culture, and People

Black Like Plastic highlights some of the inequities in the Black community concerning the environment. Locally produced and created, the story is shot on California’s Central Coast. Chris Ragland, the founder of The Sea League, narrates the film, bringing to light the connection between access, outdoor recreation, and advocacy. Featured in the film are youth, parents, and environmental advocates.

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Miles to Go

In 2022 alone, there have been over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in various states across the country. Refusing to sit idly by, trans trail runner Perry Cohen formed a team of fellow runners, who identify as trans men, with an aim to compete in trail races in states proposing and passing hateful legislation. Miles to Go follows their journey into the world of trail running and the freedom to be themselves on the trail.

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Film still from "Miles to Go" depicting two trans men trail runners running across rocks
Film still from "Elevated" showing an upclose shot of Deaf climber Sonya Wilson putting on her helmet

Elevated

In an effort to make the outdoor and rock climbing industry more inclusive, Deaf climber Sonya Wilson shares her testimony in overcoming barriers and gaining acceptance while hosting climbing retreats with both hearing and Deaf outdoor enthusiasts. Through the trials and traumas of her childhood, Wilson has become elevated — embodying the belief that being Deaf is a gift that does not make you less than.

Watch the trailer on YouTube.

Rockies Repeat

Rockies Repeat grapples with the cultural impacts of climate change in the Canadian Rockies. The film follows a team of Indigenous and settler artists as they trek into the mountains to reinterpret the work of early Banff painter, Catharine Whyte a century later. Their journey is a heartbreaking meditation on a shifting sense of place in a rapidly changing climate.

Watch the trailer on Vimeo.

A film still of someone sketching on a piece of wood in the outdoors

Sponsors

Rocky Mountain Wild would like to invite you to show your wild side by sponsoring the film festival. Check out our sponsorship packet to see how you can get involved in the events. Contact Chris at chris@rockymountainwild.org to reserve your sponsorship.

A huge thank you to our sponsors:

Center for Biological Diversity logo
Denver Zoo horizontal logo
Endangered Species Coalition
Environmental Learning for Kids logo
Fire on the Mountain logo
Grappa Fine Wine & Spirits logo
Griffiths Law logo
Hogan Omidi, PC logo
Inclusive Guide logo
Manning Law logo
Master of Conservation Leadership logo
Next 100 Colorado logo
People and Pollinators Action Network
Rocky Mountain Wolf Project logo
Spirit of the Sun logo
Wealth Management Associates Logo
Western Slope Conservation Center logo
Wild Connections logo
YellowDog Printing Logo

Individual Sponsors

Brendan Walsh
Britt Hinnen and Patricia Foley-Hinnen
Connor Liu
Geri and Meyer Saltzman