News from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival: 2024 Theme, Film Submissions Now Open, And Our Library Goes Digital!

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2024 WSFF Theme is “Reel Action”


From the annual “SYRCL action” to collect signatures for a cause, to the workshops and panels taking a deeper dive into various issues facing our planet, presenting paths to inspire change has always been central to the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. WSFF’s 2024 theme, “Reel Action,” pays homage to the festival’s mission to inspire activism. The festival will look for films that work as a call to action, inviting audiences to learn about the most pressing environmental problems and initiatives anyone can take to improve the natural world and lives around the globe.

“Whether it’s reducing your carbon impacts, choosing sustainable products, volunteering in your community, or educating others, anyone can be an agent of change throughout the year, and our festival sets that tone,” comments Festival Director Lívia Campos de Menezes.

After the flagship festival in February, WSFF goes On Tour around the country to help ignite “Reel Action” in hundreds of communities with its informative and inspirational programming.

Photo by Jason Scallin

Film Submissions are Now Open for the 2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival


Film submissions for the 2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival are now open via Film Freeway. The 22nd annual festival welcomes the submission of shorts and features about nature, community activism, conservation, intentional adventure, health, water, energy, climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, food, and farming.

Wild & Scenic’s objective is to inform, inspire, and ignite solutions and possibilities to restore the earth and human communities while creating a positive future for the next generation, all through stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography, and first-rate storytelling.

Submissions will be accepted in three categories: Environmental, Adventure, and Student Film. While all films will be considered, we are especially interested in films that interpret the 2024 theme of “Reel Action.”

Important Dates:

  • Early Bird deadline: July 16: $40
  • Regular deadline: August 13: $50
  • Late deadline: September 17: $65

Event Date: Feb. 15-19, 2024

As Wild & Scenic is a fundraiser for SYRCL, there are only a limited number of fee waivers available. Our Festival Director will review all requests and grant waiver opportunities based on need, professionalism, and filmmaker track record.

Photo by John Boyle

WSFF Library Goes Digital

One great perk of being a Wild & Scenic Film Festival or South Yuba River Citizens League member is checking out inspiring adventure and environmental films for FREE from our in-house DVD library containing cinematic treasures dating back to the early days of the festival. Members can choose films from 2003 through 2022 and relive the event inspiration throughout the year.

This year, we have made a move to go digital! Our digital library is a resource exclusive to our members. We have compiled a list of films that are available for free to watch online and will add more soon.

“We are excited to transition from DVD to Digital for our 2023 library. We have heard that fewer people have a functioning DVD player, while more and more people have been asking for an online library,” said festival Operations Director Eric Dunn. “We hope this is just the start and that we can continue to increase our online library offerings in the future.”

If you are already a member, keep an eye out for an email with the library password. If you aren’t already one, consider becoming a South Yuba River Citizens League member today to check out the 20+ year archive! Other benefits include discounts on tickets to SYRCL year-round events such as the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Yuba River Salmon Tours, and Wild for the Yuba. Contact Tony LeVeaux at tony@yubariver.org or 530‐205‐7194 to join or renew your membership today.

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