On Thursday, January 13, the Alliance will host its 4th Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Each year, the anticipation for the film fest feels bigger and bigger. For anyone who has attended this event in the past, I am sure you are familiar with the lasting impression the film festival leaves. There is a fire that lights inside everyone. It creates a communal sense that together, we can actually make an impact on clean water flowing through resilient landscapes. Read some of our staff’s anticipation and excitement below!

I have attended all three Wild & Scenic film festivals and every year I leave feeling rejuvenated and excited. The films include a mix of films that inspire me to either get outdoors and enjoy nature or to take that extra step to help improve the health of our environment. One of the coolest parts of the festival is knowing that people from all around the watershed are watching the same films as me at the same time and while I might not be able to hear people’s reactions in person, it’s nice to know that I not experiencing these amazing films alone. – Lucy Heller, Communications Specialist

Jamie Alberti, Erin O’Grady, and Laura Todd at the 2020 Wild & Scenic screening in Washington, DC

I look forward to the Wild & Scenic Film Festival every year! I always walk away feeling inspired by the films and connected to the other attendees sharing the experience with me. The environmental challenges we face today are serious, but Wild & Scenic is a much-needed reminder that change is possible. No person, project, or community is too small to make a difference. – Laura Todd, Green Infrastructure Projects Manager

At a time where it’s difficult to get together with people, attending the virtual film festival and knowing there is a whole community of people all watching it at the same time, it really makes you feel like a part of something bigger. – Carly Starobin, DC Projects Associate

With the winter weather upon us, I’m constantly thinking of warmer, longer days spent in rivers and streams with my fly rod. Shawn Kimbro, one of the Alliance’s incredible Board Members and local angler extraordinaire, has shared a few of the sacred places around the Chesapeake Bay during our film festival. In 2021, Shawn put together his own video, which we shared during the event, about Rockfish Gap in Virginia. 

The thought of these inspiring films, curated by the passionate Alliance staff, warms me right up!  The energy of learning something new, seeing the world from a new perspective, and beautiful cinematography and moving scores re-ignites my enthusiasm and excitement for our work.  While I hope we can all be together in 2023 to build the excitement in the same room as each other, the energy of this event still translates vividly through our virtual format. I can’t wait to pop some popcorn and settle in for an inspiring (and warm) night of wild and scenic films! – Kate Fritz, CEO

Don’t just take our word for it, experience the film festival for yourself. Tickets are on sale here until 6 PM on January 13. You will also receive 5 days of video playback to enjoy the film selection all weekend long. Don’t forget to add a raffle ticket to your purchase! This year we have 4 awesome bundles to give away. I hope to see you there!